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Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is a monster killer who works for a secret society that sends him to Transylvania, a mysterious region overrun with dangerous creatures like werewolves and vampires, to fight tyrannical ruler Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh).
Once there, he meets Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale), a woman whose royal family is suffering under an age-old curse that can only be broken when the count is put to death.
Cast Includes:
Hugh Jackman
Kate Beckinsale
Richard Roxburgh
David Wenham
Shuler Hensley
Elena Anaya
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Review by: wheeled thing
Dated: 20th of May, 2004
I think it may have started with Christopher Lee as Dracula, or maybe it was earlier, but there have always been and will always be, actors who unfortunately tend to get themselves stuck in the same type of character. It would seem, as already mentioned, that Hugh Jackman has found himself in this predicament.
From thinly veiled references to his character in X-Men, to an added Bond-esque element, the action is fast-paced and action packed. A distracting part for me was some of the 'Hollywood-isms', for example, the previously mentioned 'car' chase ending in a fiery explosion. Some things are just NOT needed in a movie, especially when the time period that is being used logically and technologically could not support them.
The legends of Dr. Frankenstein, Dracula, Van Helsing and Jeckell & Hyde are tied together in a most ingenious, and sometimes a little confusing, way, with a number of expected and unexpected twists.
Overall, quite an interesting trip... well worth seeing again. Will be waiting for it to come out on DVD.
Review by: kiwireviewer-00
Dated: 12th of May, 2004
There's a whole clan of them... the typecast actors. You know the one's... doesn't matter what their character is called, it's always the same character. Well, it looks like, unless he's really careful, Hugh Jackman will join the clan. Though spectacular and powerful, Van Helsing was Wolverine without the funky claws... at the start at least anyway.
With definite spoofs of X-Men (Wolverine references), James Bond (Yes, VanH has a Q section, hidden away), and almost every Hollywood classic (I mean, a car chase that ends in an explosion... Sheesh! You could cover it in caramel or butter and sell it in the candybar!) this movie has it all, comedy, action, special effects... and an interesting new twist on some old legends.
It combines the legends of Dr. Frankenstein, Dracula, Van Helsing and Jeckell & Hyde in a most unusual way, with some interesting new connections.
Favourite bit: Fully automatic crossbow.
Corniest bit: A series of one-liners.
Overall, quite a trip... well worth seeing again, but not at full price. Aim for cheap nights, special deals, or wait for it on video and DVD.
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