Unoriginal and Poorly Acted

Rating: 4/10 (1 July 2013)

Van Helsing
*1/2 (out of 4)
131 mins/ 12
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh
Director: Steven Sommers
Plot: Monster slayer, Van Helsing, is sent on a mission to kill the immortal Count Dracula.
JJ's Verdict: With nothing original about it, it is unsurprising that 'Van Helsing' is dull and very uninteresting. Featuring Count Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein and his monster, Igor, The Wolfman and of course Van Helsing, all of the film's characters have already been seen a hundred times before. This also means that the plot has been seen a hundred times before. And even its most original character is a clichéd damsel in distress who is somehow good at fighting as well.
In this film, Hugh Jackman's Van Helsing is sent to Transylvania to kill Count Dracula. Jackman, although usually very good, is at best, average here. His accent is a mix of Australian, English, American and Eastern European (considering his character is Dutch) and he doesn't show much emotion which leads the viewer really not caring what happens to him.. The action is well held up by a suspenseful score by Alan Silvestri but somehow still manages to be predictable and boring. Only in the end, when there is something to fight for, does the action start to feel fun and inspired. The transition from scene to scene is poor and that is down to some awful sound editing. The film's lighting is also dreadful, so much so that in some of the night scenes you can't actually see half the action. Stephen Sommers dialogue is pretty laughable and makes Kate Beckinsale's acting seem much worse than it is. Richard Roxburgh plays the Count very well but it's just a shame that he is surrounded by a CGI and effects overload. I was also very surprised that 'Van Helsing' was given a 12 certificate by the BBFC. There are some moments of genuine horror and some scenes are extremely (to put it mildly), gooey. The ending is also very soppy but surprisingly unhollywood. Not for anyone under ten, 'Van Helsing' is another remake/retelling/reboot that has failed.