Destined to be the year's worst adventure picture

Rating: Null/10 (22 May 2004)

Van Helsing (2004) Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham, Shuler Hensley, Elena Anaya, D: Stephen Sommers.

'Van Helsing' is an interminable, hokey, and noisy action-adventure film that's a monster mash, with none of the original mythology, but feels more like a 2-hour videogame. Late 19th-century monster hunter Van Helsing gets sent to Transylvania by a secret organization to take out Count Dracula, with the help from gypsy vampire hunter Beckinsale (can you buy that Transylvanian accent?), but first he must slay his way through the Count's three vampire brides, the Wolf Man, and Frankenstein's monster. Characters and plot take a backseat for overproduced, yet staggering, set pieces and special effects overkill (we know nothing about the title character). Interest level lags at times and repetition pads the two hours. Running Time: 131 minutes and rated PG-13 for non-stop creature action violence, frightening images, and sensuality. * 1/2