Spectacular Adventure With Frankenstein, Mr. Hyde, Dracula, Werewolves... and Van Helsing - A Must-See Movie

Rating: 10/10 (9 May 2004)

In 1887, Van Helsing is in Paris chasing Mr. Hyde. After eliminating him, Van Helsing goes to Rome, where he receives a new assignment from the Vatican: to help Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale) and her brother Velkan (Will Kemp), the last members of a catholic family, to fight against Dracula. With the company of the monk Carl (David Wenham), they go to Transilvania, where they fight, together with Anna and Frankenstein, against Dracula, his three brides and a werewolf. This movie is a spectacular adventure. I participated of a promotion in a Brazilian cable television (Telecine) and I won the tickets for the `avant-premiere' of this film on 05 May 2004, in one of the last movie theaters in Rio de Janeiro not located in malls, but on the street (Cine Palácio). With a huge screen, excellent sound system and high headroom, these factors highlighted the wonderful gothic photography of this film, which in some parts recalls the German expressionism. The beginning of the story in black and white is very impressive, and I dare to say that it is a great homage to the monsters of Universal studio. The state-of-art special effects are amazing. I have not recognized Kate Beckinsale in her role of Anna: she is strong, wearing curled long hair and believe me, more beautiful than usual. The story is funny, full of action, therefore it is a must-see film. When I watch, for example, an Ingmar Bergman's movie or an art film, I expect a message of life, something to think about. When I see movies like `Pirates of the Caribbean', `Kill Bill', `Indiana Jones', `The Mummy', `The Lord of the Ring', `Harry Potter', `Spider Man' etc., I expect a great adventure. And what is Van Helsing's proposal? A breathless action movie, having lots of humor (the gay style of Dracula, most of the scenes with Carl, the English accent of Dracula and his three brides, Mr. Hyde looking like Hulk etc.), a romance between Van Helsing and Anna, special effects where sometimes we are not able to identify what is real or not, a great homage to famous monsters, therefore, it is excellent for its proposal of entertainment. I still bet that it will be included in the IMDB Top 250 list pretty soon. My vote is ten.
Title (Brazil): `Van Helsing, O Caçador de Monstros' (`Van Helsing, The Hunter of Monsters')