Check your brain at the door and have fun.

Rating: 7/10 (22 April 2004)

"Van Helsing" starts off with a sort of homage to the Universal monster films of the 1930s, with improved visual effects. You'll have to see it yourself to know what i mean. But it also sets the tone for an action film that rarely lets up. In a good way that is. Hugh Jackman might have a Harrison Ford-like future if he wants. Imagine a good looking guy, who can handle the big budget action films, but with more depth of character than Ford has ever brought.
(Possible Spoiler)
This Van Helsing, not to be confused with the better known Abraham, is a 007 for the late 19th century. Fighting larger than life villains (Mr. Hyde, The Wolfman, etc.) under the auspices of an organization (the Catholic Church) protecting the world from disaster. Only now he must fight his deadliest enemy, Dracula and his minions.
Despite the length (over 2hrs 15min), the pace rarely falters to blandness. Credit this to director Stephen Sommers. Seems more confident in his creative choices then in The Mummy (the less said about the sequel, the better). Granted, Kate Beckinsale did nothing in this film that Rachel Weisz couldn't do as well, so maybe a little money could have been saved. And like The Mummy, Sommers needs a comic sidekick. In this case, David Wenham as the cowardly friar making weapons like Q to help out Van Helsing. Wenham and Jackman's interplay goes well, as they rise above their dialogue. No such luck between Jackman and Beckinsale.
But this isn't an actor's or a writer's piece; this is an ILM piece, and boy do they come through. The effects are a standout, with the best computer-generated morphing/transformation sequences i've seen in quite a while. Thumbs up for the sound effects and editing crews as well. The formula seems familiar after you leave the theater. But while you're watching, you don't care. You're just enjoying the ride. Like i said in the summary, check your brain at the door and have fun. 7 out of 10.