Horribly, horribly bad.

Rating: Null/10 (8 May 2004)

I had relatively low expectations based on the trailer and I was still greatly disappointed. What a mess of a movie. I've heard people who criticize the movie's lack of believable story and characters praise the "look" of the film, but here's the honest truth: the special effects suck, the cinematography sucks.
In all three Lord of the Rings movies, you can tell what's computer generated and what's not. But the films still succeed in drawing you into the world. In Van Helsing, lord have mercy, it's like the FX guys were wanting you to laugh at the abysmally horrible job they did. Nothing looks real in this world, even the REAL set designs. Everything is polished, clean. Kate Beckinsale has so much makeup on her face it should be made a crime.
If you liked Underworld, you'll like this piece of cinematic crap. But if you're keen enough to realize bad writing and bad directing make a bad movie, do yourself a favor and stay away from this one unless you'd like first-hand evidence to the declining cinematic voice in Hollywood.