Meant to be a campy monster flick - and delivers!

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2009)

Van Helsing was never meant to be a world-shattering, ground-breaking feast of cinematic platinum by any stretch of the imagination. What it stood for was pure fun. Unfortunately, in this 'enlightened' day and age, a lot of people do seem to consider this idea somehow inferior and primitive.
"Fun?? Forsooth! Movies aren't supposed to be fun! What do you think this is, the entertainment industry?"
This isn't one of the best movies ever made, nor is it among my all-time favourites. But I can watch it any time and still be entirely pleased by the time the amazingly spiffy credits roll around. You don't go to see a movie like this with the same standards in mind as going to see 'The Shawshank Redemption' or 'The Godfather', and nor should you judge and review it as such. I went into theatre with a taste for popcorn, iced tea, and campy thrills and got everything I wanted.
One thing that got my attention was that it's clearly designed to be a throwback to the equally campy old B-horror movies of the 30s-50s, a genre I love. This is best showcased in the black and white prologue. And let's face it, those films aren't revered for their realism.
The action was unlikely, to say the least, and to say the most, awesome! The dialogue was cheesy, but funny and enjoyable, and occasionally quite witty. The plot was suitably far- fetched. Overall the effects were breathtaking - seems to me that if someone hates a film they will automatically trash on the effects regardless of their quality. And the casting, regardless of what you thought of the performances, was next to perfect.
So, if you want to see something that's going to make you think, ponder the human condition, take a reflective walk round the block, this film isn't for you. But if you want to curl up on the couch with your girlfriend and just watch a fun movie together, I'd wholeheartedly recommend Van Helsing!
My humble opinion is yours for the taking.