A fun movie, but not a timeless classic.

Rating: 7/10 (24 November 2004)

A fun movie, good special effects and fair to good acting, but no big surprises in the plot. A good way to spend a rainy afternoon if your not looking for a "gone with the wind" classic. Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing worked well, he seemed to enjoy the part and made the character fun to watch, His sidekick, Friar Carl, played by David Wenham, in a role touching on "Q" from the James Bond series of movies, fell a little short in the comic relief department but worked in the role none the less. The lead female role "love interest" Ann Valerious, played by Kate Beckinsale, a good actress, she managed to pull it off with a role that was somewhat less then believable. Count Dracula, played by Richard Roxburgh, was somewhat wooden in his performance, but considering the part he had to work with he did well. I liked Frankinstein's monster, played by Shuler Hensley, the role was played in the style of Boris Karloff's classic Frankenstein, and the makeup and special effects were excellent in all roles! Written and directed by Stephen Sommers, This is a good action-adventure film even if the plot is somewhat worn from use.