Van Helsing Review (2004) modern day Werewolf and Vampire movie, Van helsing is on a mission to stop Dracula.
Writer Stephen Sommers
Cast
Hugh Jackman, Gabriel Van Helsing
Kate Beckinsale, Anna Valerious
Richard Roxburgh, Count Vladislaus "Dracula" Dragulia
Kevin J. O'Connor, Igor
Silvia Colloca, Verona
Alun Armstrong, Cardinal Jinette
David Wenham, Carl
Shuler Hensley, Frankenstein's monster
Elena Anaya, Aleera
Will Kemp, Velkan Valerious
Universal Pictures, Running time 131 minutes.
Doctor Frankenstein discovers the key to life and creates the Frankenstein Monster, Count Dracula learns of this monster and wants to discover the secret, but he is to late, Frankenstein and his creation are destroyed in a fire. Dracula still continues with his ambition to discover the secret of life. Meanwhile Van helsing the legendary monster hunter is sent to hunt down Dracula, Van Helsing soon finds himself battling against Dracula's protectors including other vampires and a werewolf.
Any movie including Vampires, Werewolves, Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde gains my immediate attention, and with actors such as Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale it gains my attention even more. With a strong cast Van Helsing has some decent charismatic acting, their performances may not be their best however it's certainly good enough and they do add value to the movie.
Another strong area of this movie is the special effects, they were amazing in 2004 and they are still impressive years later. The cinematography is great, everything looks beautiful, the supernatural creatures also look fantastic. Van Helsing has the best looking Vampires and Werewolves of any movie. Dracula looks fantastic when he transforms into the giant bat like creature, the way all the monsters are portrayed is great.
There clearly has been much effect put into the visual aspects of the movie, however other areas have suffered. The story is good but it's not executed that well, the story didn't really captivate me and the pacing is a little off. At just over 2 hours long it does become some what tedious and it should of been cut down to about 90 - 100 minutes.
Overall fun and great looking movie, it's a shame they didn't spend a little more effort on the story and pacing.
6.5 out of 10
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