enjoyable adventure flick

Rating: Null/10 (27 May 2004)

Engaging popcorn fodder from the writer-director of The Mummy and Mummy Returns. Having devoted his entire life to hunting monsters, 19th century assassin/holy man Van Helsing (Jackman, who is well-cast) is hired to protect a princess by killing the mysterious Count Dracula who may or may not know the secret to the assassin's past. Along the way Van Helsing must also contend with the likes of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, ferocious werewolves, and Frankenstein's monster. An old-fashioned adventure is created on a lavish scale with exquisite set design and terrific special effects. The writing is occasionally careless, but the action scenes take you on a roller coaster ride that rarely lets up. Roxburgh gives a deliciously suave performance as the eerie Dracula. Good, harmless fun. ***