Hollywood writers/directors need a basic physics course

Rating: Null/10 (2 November 2004)

This film starts off very promising with an ass-kicking opening sequence featuring Dr. Frankenstein, his monster, and Dracula. I loved the touch of Frankenstein with his steam-piston left leg, which shot out a jet of steam with each step. So many of the performances are pure gold, such as Dracula, Igor, Carl the Friar (played by David Wenham of Lord of the Rings), and Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing. The character of Van Helsing also has a lot of potential, and could be a superb action character. (Here comes the however...) However, it soon starts to become tiresome for a number of reasons.
First, the CGI effects are just too cartoony. It's like the animators said, "If creatures moving at 50 miles per hour look great, then moving at 300 miles per hour will be even better. If a huge werewolf is great, then a 10 foot tall werewolf is even better! If people falling 15 feet and surviving is great, then people falling 100 feet and surviving is even better." Unfortunately, sometimes these things just make it seem less believable.
Scenes near the end are ludicrous. Kate Beckinsdale swings from several cables across a chasm, while an assistant throws her a syringe, which she catches midair. Then she gets thrown off the rope, bounces off several stone columns and lands on her back on some cement steps from a drop of about 50 feet. It's okay everyone, she's alright! Yes, even though she has no special powers, she dusts herself off and continues on. That's just the kind of film this is.
Best end credits ever, though.