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Van Helsing (Full Screen Edition)Rating:
Release Date: 19 October, 2004 Retail Price: $19.98 OUR Price: $14.99 You SAVE: $4.99! Cast: Complete Cast (5 total) |
Van Helsing (Full Screen Edition) Reviews
Wolverine in Black
Van Helsing is a film that sort of kind of pays homage to some of the classic movie monsters by bringing them back to life in this new version that brings them all together. At the helm of this gaggle of monsters is Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh). A person on MTV compared this Dracula to a rock star. I can believe it. This Dracula's persona is very unique and up to date. It is something worth seeing. The rest of the monsters include a (...) outfit of Dracula's Brides, Dr. Frankenstein and Igor, Frankenstein's Monster, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, and a werewolf (compared to the Wolfman).
Out to stop most of these...enter our hero...is Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman). He is later joined by our vixen hero Anna (Kate Beckinsale, whose family holds itself responsible for killing Dracula. Action pursues and many different skirmishes between Van Helsing and different monsters collide on screen. Not to ruin the movie, there is a bunch of killing, a little bit of twist, romance,a little bit of dancing, and a small plot...kill Dracula.
Two scenes really stand out in the film. First, there is a scene where Dracula hosts a ballroom dance. The colors and the lighting really make a beautiful picture on the screen. The second is the scene of the stagecoach chase. One critic has described the film as part Raiders of the Lost Ark. I hardly believe it lives up to that expectation, but this seen is probably what they are talking about.
In the end, the answer is discovered and a battle between Van Helsing and Dracula begins, in what really is kind of amazing to watch. Since the mention of a couple of sequels was rumored before the movie was ever released, it is probably no surprise to figure out who wins.
A lot of critics have talked about how much action and CGI was used, and it made me think that it would be a typical summer blockbuster. Yet, there really wasn't as much as expected, but that's good. A film like this does not need all action and CGI. There were also a few one-liners that some characters would drop that kept the film from being serious. The guy that was sitting beside me almost fell out of his seat a couple of times, but he acted like he hadn't been to a movie in 5 years.
Yet, Van Helsing is not a great movie. It is not scary, creepy, tense, frightening, or white-knuckled-edge of your seat kind of movie. Something that the classic horror films were. In fact, in personal opinion, I wish the whole film had been black and white. The opening scene was black and white, and it made me want to watch the rest of the movie in that form. It spoiled me. That could just be me though. All in all, as mentioned, it's not a great movie, but it is fun to watch.
Not bad as it seem.....
Actually rating should be 3.5 stars. This movie is strictly what is considered as a "popcorn flick". Make sure you check your brain at the door if you wished to enjoy this movie. Since this movie is not reality based, there would be no reason why it should not have a comic book feel to the entire film.
The computer graphics did a good job recreating all the classical monsters like the werewolf and if there was any real complaint, that it was too much CGI work. The story was super thin and dialogue was best kept simple as the story - which have Van Helsing going to battle Dracula and his minions. Hugh Jackson does a good job here soldiering on for God and Church against the forces of evil. Kate Beckinsale wasn't too bad and Dave Wenham who was badly miscast in Return of the King was actually pretty good here as a fiar, Brother Carl. While not as good his Mummy movies, I thought the director, Stephen Sommers did well. The ending surprised me a bit but I can feel a sequel coming if this movie make big bucks.
Part James Bond, part Indiana Jones and all made up, this may be a good movie to have a party around. It may scared little kids but grown should have fun with it. Don't take it seriously and it should be enjoyable.
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