College Downtime Movie Review
Written by Hollowman - November 5th, 2004

Van Helsing (2004)

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh

Director: Stephen Sommers
Rated: PG-13
Rating: * * *

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If ever there was a movie that could be accused of doing not much else but borrow from other movies, “Van Helsing” would be it. Directed by Stephen Sommers (“The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns”), “Van Helsing” finds no real use for originality and makes no apologies for it. From the gadgets in the James Bond movies, to the rough, lonely Indiana Jones character traits, the film is all over the map as far as other movies.

“Van Helsing” is about the famed monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing (though in his first appearance in Bram Stoker’s novel, “Dracula”, his name is Abraham and his a famous vampire slayer) and his quest to rid the world of the evil supernatural. He is a loner, with no real memory of his past, only glimpses. Funny, seeing how Van Helsing is played by Hugh Jackman, who is also known for playing another character with a hazy past.

Anyway, the story takes us to Transylvania, where he is sent to help in killing the greatest vampire of all, the WB’s Angel! No, just kidding, it’s really just Count Dracuala, played by a charismatic Richard Roxburgh. There, he meets Anna Valerious the villager’s local vampire killing hero, played by Kate Beckinsale. Hmm, just a few months ago, she was a vampire in “Underworld”. Weird how Hollywood makes you switch sides. In the story, Ana’s ancestors struck a bargain with God; if anyone of her family members kills Dracula, they will all be admitted into Heaven. (Since when did God become a lawyer, ready to make deals about who and who doesn’t get into heaven?) They’ve haven’t been successful since Dracula has been around for 400 years and shows no sign in slowing down.

The two pair up and try to bring down the master vampire. But it’s not just him, the whole gang is here actually: The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula’s brides, Igor (Dr. Frankenstein’s hunchbacked assistant), and even special appearances by both Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde. I had almost expected the “Monster Bash” song to start playing during the scene of Dracula’s massive masquerade ball.

As the film progresses, we see more and more signs of another movie sneaking into the script. Underneath the Vatican is Van Helsing’s headquarters. It’s nothing but James Bond references inside. There’s the ‘M’ character, portrayed by the bishop, the crazy gadgets, and of course, gadget making ‘Q’ wanna-be, portrayed by a bumbling friar (who is very sure that he tells a girl the difference between a monk and a friar, if you see where I’m going with this).

Van Helsing himself is a rip-off of Indiana Jones. They’re both rough-edged and have that frontier charm. And it gets even more ridiculous when Dracula’s goal becomes what every single Bond villains’ goal has been; world domination.

Though lacking on originality, “Van Helsing” sure makes up with the eye candy fun. As soon as the action starts, Sommers rarely lets up. He’s a huge fan of showing off spectacular special effects. His monsters are some of the best takes I’ve ever seen of these famed characters (especially the wolf man). The quick pace action keeps the movie going at full speed and makes you forget about the lack of any original story. The sets are a visual masterpiece as well. Their design captures that old, classic horror look we saw in the monster movies of Bela Lugosi and Lon Cheney Jr. And cinematography brings back the film noir style of framing, with a lot of low angle and extreme close up shots.

“Van Helsing” is one of those movies whose action and marvelous visuals help you forget about the dumb story. The acting by Jackman and Beckinsale gives some depth to the characters (though Beckinsale’s western European seems unnatural and forced) who are given some pretty cheesy lines. There were a few times when I was waiting for one of them to break out into a song. But Sommers’s talent for fun action and fast paced narrating is unmistaken and makes the movie one hell of a good time.

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