A contemporary classic?

Rating: 10/10 (8 May 2004)

What an excellent matinee movie! Aside from a bit of weak dialogue and a question I have about one of the major action sequences this James Bond/Indiana Jones meets the monsters of Universal Studios really delivered the goods for me. Pure escapism and mind-boggling special effects from start to finish. I felt that the film remained true to the spirit and heritage of the great classic Universal flicks with a clever nod to the Hammer Studio vampire films of the 60's. Van Helsing is not a horror movie so much as it is a monster/action movie. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of the Frankenstein monster character. I also felt that the sensuality of vampirism was deftly handled considering the makers were going for a PG rating. I can't decide whether two of the very final scenes were an homage or just plain pop-corny but given the spirit of the film I guess they worked. Van Helsing far surpassed my expectations so much so that I plan to go back to the theatre and see it again...something I haven't done in a very, very long time. Try to catch the DLP version it is visually stunning. I hope for a sequel!