Entertaining, a bit over-the-top with its graphic horror, but still fun...

Rating: Null/10 (30 May 2004)

My main reason for seeing this old-fashioned fright film done in high style with elaborate sets and excellent actors, was to see Hugh Jackman on the big screen after having watched him in OKLAHOMA! on PBS in a wonderful televised version of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.
He makes a convincing Van Helsing and dominates many of his scenes with authority and skill--but I think we have to wait for a better scripted part to really judge his screen acting. He and all the other cast members are entirely up to the proceedings and there can be no complaints about the casting.
In addition to excitement, there is abundant humor (of the somewhat corny kind) to add some spice to the relentless scenes of Dracula's wives having a grand old time scaring the hell out of everyone in sight. Perhaps for this reason I found it uncomfortable to watch young parents sitting in the audience with toddlers on their laps, letting them absorb all of the graphic fright scenes with a casual air, as though the film was ideal entertainment for three year-olds. Whatever happened to Disney?
Most impressive are the elaborate sets, all providing the chilling atmosphere needed to bring this sort of thing off. It's worth noting that the first fifteen minutes are done in B&W fashion, harking back to the days of the Universal horror flicks with Karloff and Lugosi. And for some reason, when the film is over, it's the opening B&W sequences that chill with the most power.
Alan Silvestri's score is heavy on the orchestrations but quite stunning as an accompaniment, lending grandeur to the elaborately staged action scenes. An enjoyable romp, if a bit repetitious after awhile.