Frankenstein's Monster, Werewolves, Dracula, Mr. Hyde, the gangs all here.

Rating: 7/10 (8 May 2004)

I think I've got this film critic business figured out. After reading many of the reviews for Van Helsing, the great majority of which soundly panned the film, I have come to the following conclusion: Critics loathe the summer film season. They especially seem to loathe high budgeted special effects extravaganzas such as Van Helsing, especially when the trailers for it have been bombarding our senses for months, and you can't turn on the TV without hearing about it. One would have to assume that they when they view a film such as this, there is a certain amount of bias working against it. So in reviewing the $200 million dollar Universal extravaganza, I think my job is supposed to be to blast the film into Hades with another scathing review. Sorry, I can't do it. As it turns out, I did enjoy the film.
What Writer and Director Stephen Sommers does do is to entertain us with a multitude of exciting hair raising sequences, aided by some spectacular CGI effects, and a cast of characters that hearken back to the old black and white films of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, and Dracula. Even Mr. Hyde is on hand briefly to liven things up.
The film opens with a black and white sequence that is straight out of the original Frankenstein film. Everything is here just as it should be, including Dr. Frankenstein, his not so loyal servant Igor, the monster himself, and the torch bearing citizens of Transylvania who are intent on having Frankenburgers courtesy of the Doctor and his protégé. What is different however, is that Count Dracula himself is on hand for the unveiling of Dr. Frankenstein's Monster, and has his own personal agenda to attend to. Unfortunately for Count Dracula, the Monster regards Dr. Frankenstein as Daddy Dr. Frankenstein, and doesn't take too kindly to what the Count has in store for him. It's a stunning, cleverly written opening to the film, and sets a relentless which barely leaves you time to breathe as it hurdles on fast forward from one action laden episode to the next.
From the creation of Frankenstein Monster's we are immediately taken to the Notre Dame Cathedral where Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing, is doing battle with Dr. Jekyll's alter ego Mr. Hyde. By placing Hyde in the cathedral, Sommers manages also to pay a little big of homage to The Hunchback of Notre Dame. His mission, which comes directly from Rome, is to try and bring Hyde back to Rome alive to be studied if possible. It is here with his own wry perspective on the matter that Jackman reminded me of a late nineteenth century James Bond. He'll do the job and get it done, but he'll do it his way, orders or no orders. It's a nice minor touch that immediately gives Jackman's Van Helsing a distinctive touch of personality not seen in any previous film incarnation of the character.
Later, Van Helsing is ordered by Rome to travel to Transylvania to aid the lovely Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale) in her quest to find and destroy Count Dracula. It seems Anna and the family from which she is descended from, have been after Dracula for some time. The only members of the family who are left to continue on with the quest are Anna and her brother Velkan (Will Kemp), and should they die before finishing their mission, their family will be damned to eternity in purgatory. Along with Van Helsing is a Rome inventor and sidekick, Carl (David Wenham). (He's a Friar not a Monk, and so is entitled to certain worldly pleasures). It's a great bit that adds some welcome humorous touches, lest we begin taking things a bit too serious.
Where this film also excels is not just the adrenaline rushing action sequences. Sommers uses the CGI, not just for a myriad of heart-pounding special effects, but is smart enough to create an atmosphere where we can easily accept the notion that this is indeed Europe in the late nineteenth century. In one scene, as the camera traverses the landscape of Paris, we see in the background a half-built Eiffel Tower. It is this kind of meticulous attention to details that help lift this film a couple of notches above others in the genre by transporting us into a world we can immerse ourselves in completely.
If the film has a fault, it is minor. In the early moments, one is not sure if we are going to be witnessing an action film or a spoof. Much of this is due to the initial campy over the top portrayal of Dracula by Richard Roxburgh and a few of his female disciples. After the opening sequence during the creation of Frankenstein's Monster, Roxburgh and everyone else seems to settle down into just the right tone needed for the remainder of the running time.
If you go into Van Helsing knowing that your are going to get two hours plus of non-stop sights and sounds to hammer your senses, along with some harmless mindless entertainment, you'll enjoy the film in all aspects. It is highly imaginative, and very entertaining. I had fun, and that's all I asked for. And if I get what I ask for I have no choice but to give you my grade which for Van Helsing is a B+.