Disappointing, but visually pleasing.

Rating: 4/10 (21 August 2004)

I was disappointed. The plot tried to incorporate too much, and wound up failing in all respects. They go out of there way to incorporate most monster mythologies, but they are skewed, and don't really fit together well. Much of the plot, and character motivations don't make sense. Kate Beckinsdale's accent is mildly ridiculous, and I don't think she really pulls it off believably. Hugh Jackman, as always, is a pleasure, both in performance and and as scenery! There are a few humorous moments, but they often seem forced. And the female vampires are so over the top, and to take away from the movie. There were points that I couldn't wait for the scene to be over, and the stupidity to end. In all, the effects, costumes, and scenes look fantastic, but it is not enough to compensate for a bad plot and an uninspired script.