Above average

Rating: 7/10 (2 December 2005)

Stephen Sommer, of The Mummy and The Mummy Returns fame, directs his next big adventure, Van Helsing with Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckingsale in the lead roles. Just like The Mummy, Van Helsing is an above action action flick that works on most levels, even though the film isn't excellent by any means. What's really missing for me are strong performances and a solid score (as Alan Silvestri provided for The Mummy Returns). However, the story concept is interesting, combining horror legends Count Dracula, Frankenstein Monster, and The Wolf Man into one film. That in itself makes this movie a curiosity to see, if only for just one viewing. Above average, 7 out of 10.