Van Helsing

Van Helsing

Fun and Entertaining, Action Packed Movie

The classic horror fiends of yesteryear unite in the 2004 film "Van Helsing". Starring Hugh Jackman (“X-Men”) as the title character, Gabriel Van Helsing, the film also includes Kate Beckinsale ("Pearl Harbor" and "Underworld") and David Wenham ("Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" and "Return of the King") as his allies in the attempt to stop Dracula's dastardly plans. Despite some minor drawbacks, "Van Helsing" is a fun, action packed flick that spans a variety of film genres.

It's Transylvania in the late 1800s and Dracula (Richard Roxburgh) has acquired the services of Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Samuel West) to produce a creature. The plan? The Frankenstein monster (Shuler Hensley) will help bring life to Dracula's and his three bride's offspring. However, things go awry when the local townspeople burn a windmill that the creature has escaped to.

Enter Van Helsing who has been sent to Paris to capture Mr. Hyde (voice of Robbie Coltrane) and is accused of murdering him. Vatican City, which has been harboring Van Helsing, orders him on a trip to Transylvania with a friar, Carl (Wenham). With the aide of Carl's various gadgets, the pair's mission is to stop Dracula while protecting Anna Valerious (Beckinsale), who's the only chance her family has from spending an eternity in purgatory.

Van Helsing and company have the odds stacked against them. Not only do they have the unenviable task of battling Dracula and his brides, but there's also Igor (Kevin O'Connor), a protégé of Dr. Frankenstein's, and the Wolfman (Will Kemp) to contend with. However, Van Helsing, Anna and Carl are able to befriend a most unusual ally.

There are many good things to point out about "Van Helsing". Nobody likes a long, drawn out movie. "Van Helsing" isn't one of these. The film is fast paced and doesn't allow for many dull moments. Whether it's one of the many action sequences or a simple conversation between the characters, the movie and the storyline keep moving.

While the entire cast was a great ensemble, there were a few standout performances. David Wenham adds some comedic relief as the apprehensive and timid friar turned sidekick who eventually comes into his own. Also, Shuler Hensley cast Frankenstein's monster in a more different light than we are used to seeing. This was a nice and classic touch.

Another plus for "Van Helsing" was the title character. There have been many movies that have portrayed Van Helsing as an elderly Vampire killer. For once, moviegoers get to see Van Helsing's earlier days and even get to know the character's background.

Despite being an entertaining movie, there are a couple of distractions. While Richard Roxburgh was a good Dracula, the character didn't come across as evil as he could have been. In the movie, Dracula is supposed to be the main villain, however, in some scenes, he comes across as comedic. The same holds true with Dracula's three brides. For vicious, blood drinking sirens, they often come across as whiney.

The very end of the movie also serves as a drawback. The battle beforehand provides an exciting turn of events. However, the scene afterwards, with the sky and the clouds, while nice, seems almost anticlimactic.

"Van Helsing" seems to include a little bit of everything. Any moviegoer who likes action, drama, horror, comedy and even a touch of romance will thoroughly enjoy the movie.

Be sure to check out the “Van Helsing” movie goofs!

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This movie is available for purchase at Amazon.com and Half.com.