A Real Treat - pay no attention to naysayers..!!

Rating: 10/10 (25 May 2004)

Van Helsing is a wonderful popcorn movie, and you're bound to enjoy it if you're not going in looking to rip it to pieces. Like the previous Mummy movies, the plot is treacle...but with every corner there's a fantastic action sequence that goes on forever. The main thing with Van Helsing is that it makes no quips about what it is...and then the movie delivers in spades. A lot of spades. Saying that there is a tremendous action sequence every five minutes or so is not exaggerating..! There are plenty - plenty - of cool, elaborate battles, very well executed and shot beautifully. The film itself is absolutely gorgeous to look at - the scenery playing probably the most important role in the film. If you like Gothic, fog-enshrouded landscapes along the lines of Hammer films - then you're in for a treat. Van Helsing is set not only amongst a beautiful, beautiful backdrop of foggy landscapes...but also has a very nice nod to the old B&W Universal sets as well. The cinematography and scenery are worth the price of admission alone - for those with a classic eye. If you're trained in your classic horror films and literature, you're bound to appreciate the effort put into this piece a great deal more than someone who, say, was raised on Terminator and NFL. The negative word of mouth I've been hearing seems to be coming mainly from cultureless lunk-heads who haven't researched anything before 1977. Do not pay attention to them - Van Helsing is a real crowd pleaser, and an awful lot of work on every level went into this film. There's not only beautiful scenery and sets - the monsters are really gorgeous. The brides of Dracula are really something - and the battles with them are fantastic. The actors are all gorgeous, as well - but the director has a good eye for character...none of these people are good looking in your typical, bland, storefront means. They're lovely in the sense that they're people that you would genuinely be attracted and endeared to...rather than a flavorless sculpted Barbie or Ken. The writing allows for just a minimum of character development...but, honestly - it's just popcorn...and if you're looking for more than a great looking, high-flying action movie - then you're in the wrong seats. But - if you know what you're getting yourself into, and want to have an absolutely wild ride..! Van Helsing is a wonderful summer action movie...and good word should be spread about this baby, so we can at least get another one..! And by the way...the lusty soundtrack by Alan Silvestri is the very best movie music out there right now..! No kidding - the music is delectable. Most everything in Van Helsing works - just don't go in being a knob...or you're not gonna get it at all. It's a blast!