If you like monsters and .....

Rating: 10/10 (29 May 2004)

Van Helsing
Directed by Stephen Sommers Runtime: 132 min
If you like monsters and attractive women, this is the movie to see! I was a little surprised by all the negative reviews of this movie. The things I read to paraphrase were brain dead unbelievable, bad acting and characterization and too much special effects etc.
Brain Dead? If you go to a movie with Dracula, the Wolfman and Frankenstein planning to see something believable or profound, you have to be brain dead!
Bad acting and characterization? As someone said before, have you ever heard of a spoof, or a parody? Can you really try to take this movie so seriously when it should be obvious to one and all that the director intended it to be a parody of all the old horror movies.
Too much special effects? The special effects are very impressive but a little to fast moving. Besides, what is wrong with a lot of special effects?
If you are way too anal and go to a movie for a little fun instead of the meaning of life, I guess it has too many fantastic special effects. I believe this movie was intended to be a very fun picture to watch and not a critically acclaimed movie for the ages.
The best way to describe this movie is a young Indiana Jones Van Helsing meets Dracula, the Wolfman and Frankenstein.
Hugh Jackman plays the Indiana Jones like Van Helsing character with skill bringing a funny and amusing hero character to the movie.
Kate Beckinsale plays the Xena like heroine Anna Valerious. She is the very sexy and strong woman character (with a bad accent) who is pivotal to the success of defeating Dracula.
Richard Roxburgh plays a credible (if not overly dramatic) Count Dracula.
David Wenham plays the comic genius Friar side-kick of Van Helsing by the name of Carl.
Shuler Hensley plays a credible Frankenstein monster that is a little to wimpy for my taste.
Will Kemp is good as Velkan the werewolf brother of Anna Valerious.
Elena Anaya, Silvia Colloca and Josie Maran are the very sexy (and whinny) brides of Dracula.
The ending was not as good as it could have been and was a bit too soapy for my taste.
The bottom line. If you like your monster movies, special effects movies, action/adventure movies and very sexy and attractive women, you will love this movie. Be prepared for a fun and visual treat. If you do not like monster movies, special effects movies, and action/adventure movies and would rather see a movie like The Breakfast Club. You will probably will not like this movie.
If you were thinking of seeing the picture, go for it. Do not let the pious professional artsy fartsy film critics dissuade you. It is not their kind of movie anyway.