Merchandising hits the big screen

Rating: 2/10 (9 May 2004)

Van Helsing isn't so much a movie, as it is the beginning of a brand. They have been talking about a TV series, toys, a possible amusement park and various spin offs.The premise for this film was a really promising one. When I first heard about it, I was actually quite excited. I should have known better when they described, in the press, the title character as sort of a medieval "Black Ops" agent. Having said that, Van Helsing didn't feel like a real movie. It felt like a bunch of "neat scenes" put together. They had some talented actors, but the script was simply atrocious.They took three separate monsters that have all been established draws in their own right and just tossed them all in one show. Not sure who they will dig up for the inevitable sequel. The overall movie was an orgy of bombastic excess. Bigger, better, louder! Ugh!