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Van Helsing (Widescreen 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 (Widescreen 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.
VAN HELSING is over-the-top thrill ride
After the huge success of his THE MUMMY and THE MUMMY RETURNS, writer/director Stephen Sommers was given the green light to tackle some of Universal Studios' prime horror creations. I refer, of course, to Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolf Man, who all raised thrills and chills in the classic films of the 30's and 40's. The result is an over-the-top thrill ride that will please some, while making others roll their eyes at some of the absurdities that abound.
The movie basically uses Bram Stoker's classic vampire-hunter, Van Helsing, as its hero. However, instead of the elderly professor of the book and previous films, he is a younger, mysterious and dynamic version played by Hugh Jackman (Wolverine of the X-MEN films). Aided by a lovely gypsy (Kate Beckinsale) and his ingenious assistant, Carl (David Wenham), Van Helsing must foil the plans of the evil Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh) to populate Transylvania with new-born vampires. Complicating matters are the Frankenstein Monster (Shuler Hensley) and the Wolf Man (Will Kemp and major CGI effects). Along the way, Van Helsing learns some vital clues to the secret behind his dark past.
For the most part, the acting ranges from solid to almost laughable. Hugh Jackman is spot-on as the title character, perfectly embodying the vampire-hunter's drive to defeat his foes. Unfortunately, the character is almost completely grim throughout the film, making him hard to relate to at times. Much better in that regard is David Wenham's Carl. Coming off as a monkish version of "Q" in the James Bond films, Wendam easily gets his share of the film's laughs. He is almost matched by Kevin J. O'Connor's Igor, who helps out Dracula. Despite being buried in gobs of make-up, Shuler Hensley makes for a decent and sympathetic Frankenstein's Monster. On the other hand, Richard Roxburgh's Dracula and Kate Beckinsale's Anna seem to vie for the title of "most over-wrought accent", with Roxburgh getting the nod here. However, Beckinsale looks great as a gypsy and she handles most of the physical stuff pretty well. Will Kemp's performance is non-existent as most of it is done by his CGI alter-ego.
The CGI effects and stunts are top-notch, and you almost can feel worn-out by the high energy of the production. In fact, that can be said to be this film's main flaw. The plot is simply an excuse to zip from one action scene to the next. Also, unlike the MUMMY films, there is no "twinkle in the eye" or sense of joy in this flick. As a result, one finds it very hard to relate to any of these characters.
Still, this is not a bad film. If you're willing to suspend your disbelief and accept the film for the amusement ride it is, it is definitely worth your time.
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