Meets expectations for the Genre it is targeted at

Rating: 7/10 (7 May 2004)

In my opinion, Van Helsing is targeted at the X-Men Genre (being teens). While many adults can see the flaws of this movie, I think that many teens are going to really enjoy this one. The action is non-stop and the computer generated images are pretty solid. Ok, I agree with some of the comments that the acting is poor, it isnt great, but it is entertaining.
I was able to take my 21 year old girlfriend to this and she didnt complain one time during the movie. This from a person who likes sappy movies from Legally Blonde to the Rugrats. Although, not quite as good to me as Underworld, Van Helsing was able to deliver on the action goods as advertised in trailers on TV. Jackman is decent as VanHelsing and Beckinsale is at least nice to look at. The girl that play Mishkala ( I think her name is Josie something) was most impressive to me in her limited role- she reeked of evil and seduction.
So why not take your teens to see something that will at least entertain them for 2 hours. There are a lot worse things they could see or be doing. For my 28 yr old perspective, some of the scenes are a bit unrealistic (see the stage coach scene and some of the parts near the end with beckinsale) but all in all I have to give this one a 7.