Boring and Disappointing

Rating: 6/10 (10 May 2004)

After viewing the trailer some months ago I thought this was going to be a good film. I am completely aware of all the trash that the big studios produce nowadays... somehow I thought this would be different, but instead it turned into a boring film with obnoxious one-liners and too much CGI.

Now, the actor that played Dracula just didn't fit. Dracula is suppose to be a dark-powerful being and inspire fear and respect, as well as sex appeal. Even with all the CGI this Dracula did none of the above.

Dr. Jekill/Mr. Hyde also seemed to be extra, it could have been a deleted scene.
CGI is another factor that bothered me. It's good to have special effects in films, but when it's overdone it looses the effect. Whatever happened to the make-up department? In the old days there were films that portrayed vampires, zombies or other evil entities simply with make-up effects; some looked fake and stupid, but others were truly terrifying.
I suggest to any serious film enthusiast to stay away from Van Helsing. If you still want to watch it, do it only for fun. Just don't expect too much.