excellent in comparison

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2004)

There is nothing else out there that even mentions the classic movie monsters for many years. For years films have dominated by Jason, michael Meyers, and psychos. This film revives Frankenstein, wolfman and Dracula.
Obviously the film maker has much respect for the monsters of the past. This film, though, puts in intensive CGI and wild action to bring in younger viewers and does not have the subtle horror of the Hammer films and is not scary in that way. I love films like The Ring or Mothman Prophesies or The Innocence. This film is nothing like those. It is more in the style of Cutthroat Island and like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. This film plays more like an adventure or science fiction. Jackman is super as van Helsing fresh of his debonair performance in the good film Kate and Leopold. He plays the part nothing like Peter Cushing but I think Cushing would like this film.
I have seen almost all the Dracula films including the old wolfman verses Dracula, Billy the Kid verses Dracula, and even the Laurel and Hardy monster films. I believe the director has also. I believe this current actor who played Dracula was the weakest part of this film but the film still holds up. Of course the most classic Draculas are the Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing Hammer films. They are beyond good. This new film keeps the interest going in these interesting monsters for a new generation. There is also little gore or explicitness compred to so much out there so kids can see it but is is very intense.
It was also exciting and actually had a powerful but sincere ending. I think an interesting thing this film changes after decades of beautiful enticing vampire women is to make the vampires more grotesque and less desirable. This is a major change in the treatment of the vampiress. In this film the vampire hunter was the gorgeous girl. Also the Vatican is portrayed positively in the film as they are very concerned with fighting the forces of evil. The Vatican hires Van Helsing to go and destroy Dracula. The Vatican even has a secret factory that makes gadgets to battle evil kind of like James Bond.
I hope they make more of these but lets give Christopher Lee a part.. Also this may propel Jackman as van Helsing into consideration for the new James Bond. This film is full of imagination and not boring! Helsing stays true to tradition with lines like "I can only kill something controlled by evil" and has honor. Also considering this is an action film there are some interesting philosophical lines. Highly recommended!