Underestimated

Rating: 9/10 (3 May 2005)

If u're no fan of action and wants vampire movies to be slow and non violent this is is not a movie for u. But for me I think this is one of the best vampire movies ever even though all seem to be different from each other. Hugh Jackman is the famous van Helsing and does a favorable impression as a late 19th century action hero taking care of all foul beings.. Kate Beckinsale who I must say is stunning is pretty good too. The rest of the actors are neither doing the best acting or the worst acting ever but fill their roles nicely.
All the elements of Romanian lore is put together in this movie and does it really well, with Dracula, Frankenstein and werewolves all in the mix. The effects are well done and a big step from earlier Dracula movies. The overall plot might seem a bit predictable but hey, this is the great van Helsing vs Dracula. The different settings and locations are all well chosen from castles to villages.
This is a non stop action with a touch of suspense and i'd like more of this type of movies. What it might lack is some depth and some really memorable acting as nothing really stands out in that regard. But it is a very entertaining movie and puts vampires back in their traditional sense, mystical, very evil and Dracula is where he should be, in his castle in Transylvania...