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- Van Helsing - US Theatrical Release - 

One of the most anticipated movies of the 2004 summer, "Van Helsing," is finally in 
theaters. It is now time to find out if this film lives up to its hype, falls flat 
on its face, or is somewhere in between. "Van Helsing" is a much different character 
than most of us are used to. No longer is he the esteemed and cerebral intellectual 
that appears in "Bram Stoker's Dracula" or in many film versions of the story. "Van 
Helsing" is now a younger man who uses his physical strengths and modern weapons to 
battle evil.
Here are the basics of the plot. Our famed 'vampire hunter' is given a mission by 
the Church in Rome. 'Van Helsing' is to travel to Transylvania. He is to save a family 
from eternal damnation. 
Anyone who has seen the trailers knows that "Van Helsing" will clash with a variety 
of classic movie monsters including "Dracula," "Frankenstein's Monster," and the 
"Wolfman." For good measure "Igor" and "Mister Hyde" are thrown in.
This film has more weaknesses then strengths. One of its biggest strengths also becomes 
its biggest weakness. The movie relies too much on the use of CGI and animation. Often 
the special effects control the pace and relevance of the plot. At times I felt as 
if I was watching a video game.  
Many scenes dragged for too long. At times this caused the film to become tedious. 
Often the action became artificial to suit the effects. Over and over we see our heros 
swinging from broken cables or ropes and taking nasty falls. Somehow they never get hurt. 
I found the film to be too ambitious. It just tried to do too much. This can be said for 
the special effects, cinema photography, and over all plot. A major shift in the plot 
occurs just past the half way point. This seemed to happen just so that new locations 
could be digitally created and more effects used. 
Often the dialogue was contrived or just poor. Does anyone really think that one of 
'Dracula's wives' would really say, "Too bad, so sad."  I doubt that anyone in 19th 
century Transylvania would use that term. Writer/Director Stephan Sommers ("The Mummy,"
"Scorpion King") should know better. The decision to do things such as that were 
probably based on potential dollars at the box office. 
Hugh Jackman (X-Men, X-Men 2) is very good in the lead role. He reminded me more of 
Clint Eastwood's portrayal of the 'Man With No Name' then he did of the traditional 
concept of 'Van Helsing.' Realistically, an aged scholar would not fit the lead role 
in this film. The role of 'Dracula' had much to be desired. Richard Roxburgh ("The 
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen") often seemed uncomfortable and even embarrassed.  
It was a bland depiction of one of the great horror characters of all time. His 
attempts at an accent were lame at best. The best performance might be by David Wenham.  
He plays a Friar who becomes 'Van Helsing's' unwilling companion. Wenham has the best 
intentionally funny lines. Kate Beckinsale ("Underworld") is also in the movie. She 
looks good, but does not really bring much to the film.
There is plenty of action and adventure in this one. Too often it just does not give 
the thrills that it should. With the multitude of classic movie monsters in this one; 
I guess this is considered a horror movie. I found that it had very little suspense 
and the few scares that it gave were minimal at best.
I am split on how I feel about this movie. Parts of it did not do anything for me. 
Yet, parts of it I did like. I have read that "Van Helsing" could have been ready 
for distribution in the summer of 2003. Universal decided to spend more time and 
money on special effects. Maybe Universal should have only spent 100 million dollars 
to make this, cut out half the CGI, and chopped about forty minutes out.  
This movie would have been much better if it was kept simpler. "Van Helsing" is not
a bomb. It is also far from a great movie. I have a feeling that many true horror 
fans will feel the same as I do.

Reviewed By Scal Williams.

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