A complete fantasy action blockbuster

Rating: Null/10 (3 May 2004)

The film starts with action , has action in the middle and finishes with action. It is also the loudest film I have ever seen. Hugh Jackman is a 19th century 007 complete with 19th century gadgets. Even some of the bond type humour is injected into the film. Overall his performance is completely shadowed by the special effects people. Kate Beckinsale is not a bond girl(she doesn't double cross him) but she is definitely there for her looks rather than her acting. The film starts in 19th century Paris and the set is amazing, even the Eiffel Tower is only half built. A pretty impressive Mr Hyde is then slayed by Jackman before the real adventure begins. After a brief stopover at headquarters Jackman heads to Transylvannia to take on the main man Dracula.From there the CGI just gets better and better. Every monster creation is magnificently detailed and truly terrifying. Don't wait for charactor development scenes, there aren't any. Truth is the film doesn't need them. The action speaks for itself. What surprises me most about this film is the 12A certificate. Sure there is no nudity, graphic violence or bad language but it can be pretty harrowing. It will scare the bejesus out of young children who will be able to legally see it. This is not a film for the lovers of quality drama but it does exactly what it says on the tin. It is an orgy of action and CGI.