Very dark and comical

Rating: 7/10 (7 May 2004)

I noticed that a lot of people don't like this film because of all of the special effects. Although I agree that they should stop making Hyde as a CGI creature (he was equally naff in LXG) I don't mind the effects. In fact, I didn't mind the film.
Anyone going to this film and expecting anything other than complete mind candy should be slapped repeatedly. If you don't want to switch off your brain and enjoy some dark - but cool images - then find another film. Remember this comes to you from the guy who did the Mummy. He's obviously a classic film buff, because he doesn't come up with an original idea. Which I think is OK. Indiana Jones comes straight out of classic Hollywood and no one beats up Lucas and Spielberg over that. Not that I'm comparing this film to Raiders of the Lost Ark. It's nowhere in that league.

My biggest complaint about this film is that it makes the villain too attractive. I like Hugh Jackman, but Richard Roxburgh makes Dracula so enticing that I was hoping he and his awesome flying brides would triumph. The casting of this show seems to be a bit of an in joke. Kate Beckinsale's last film, Underworld, had her as a vampire fighting werewolves and that's kind of important to this film.
Hugh Jackman has played Wolverine, a man in search of his "lost past" and here he does a similar turn. (There's another similarity that I won't spoil.)
The best in this film, though, is David Wexham, who played Faromir in LOTR. He's almost unrecognizable as the friar sidekick and he gets the best lines. (I noticed that I was often the only one laughing, though.)
If you're hung up on finding a "great film," just realize that Hollywood is making them anymore. Van Helsing, is however, a fun and visually stunning substitute.