Move over Buffy, bring on Van Helsing

Rating: 10/10 (13 May 2004)

This was a brilliantly exciting movie. The whole time it kept me guessing what was going to happen next. It incorporates my two favourite classic monsters, Dracula (Richard Roxburgh) and the Wolfman (Will Kemp). It throws Frankenstein's Monster into the mix as well, and the three stories are all very well combined.
I was surprised to find David Wenham in the movie, and even more so to find him providing the comic relief. He changed since LotR - from tall, elegant warrior to squat, eccentric monk - er, friar.
All the actors/tresses delivered smashing performances. Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) was a very 1800's James Bond. Anna (Kate Beckinsale) was quite fiery. Dracula was perfectly evil. Carl (David Wenham) was great for a good laugh. Finally, Dracula's brides (Elena Alaya, Josie Maran, and Silvia Colloca) were spectacularly sexy, possibly the most so I've seen in cinema yet.
The previews make it out to have no plot whatsoever, but that is not the case. The plot was not *terribly* intricate, but juicy enough to disqualify the movie from the "mindless action" category. I recommend this movie to those who are looking for a pulse-pounding, dryly comic, and suspenseful ride.
Once again, this was a great film.