2 hours of mindless fun

Rating: 8/10 (15 April 2005)

Van Helsing is one of those films which most people will either really enjoy, or really enjoy ripping to shreds. If you are a person who sees films as something to be taken seriously, then stay away. If however you go to the cinema or rent a DVD simply for entertainment, then this is ideal.
Director Stephen Sommers, with the Mummy films already under his belt, has produced a ridiculous but fun homage to early Universal classic horror films Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman. Calling it tongue-in-cheek would be a dramatic under-statement. The story is rather convoluted, but then it would take something original to fit all three of those Hollywood horror icons effectively into one story. But by never taking itself too seriously it largely side-steps any serious criticism of its' plot.
Hugh Jackman revels in the Indiana Jones-esquire title role, which is a far cry from the Abraham Van Helsing of Bram Stoker's book (for one thing, he's a lot younger now with a different name!) and something else which is bound to infuriate the killjoys. Oops, sorry, I of course meant purists. Kate Beckinsale vamps it up again (almost literally) effectively reworking her role from Underworld, but her passion for the role seems to become lost under her heavy-handed Romanian accent. David Wenham though is a revelation in the role of Karl, Van Helsing's assistant, showing an impeccable sense of comic timing. Admittedly the lines are frequently horrendously corny, but that is part of the fun. Robbie Coltrane also has an excellent cameo as Mr Hyde early in the film. The only real criticism that can be levelled at the casting is Richard Roxborough's mis-casting as Dracula - the menace simply is not there, and he is more camp than count. Sesame Street's Dracula had more menace!
But with excellent special effects (too often going unappreciated in this modern technological age) and a simple but fun story, this film is a perfect popcorn movie for a Saturday night. Just remember not to think too much!