Review of Van Helsing (2004) by Neil M — 21 Sep 2015
Enjoyable...when it doesn't take itself too seriously.
Vampire/werewolf/monster/whatever-hunter Van Helsing (played by Hugh Jackman) and his faithful sidekick Carl (played by David Wenham) go to Transylvania to track down Count Dracula (played by Richard Roxburgh). They end up in a town whose inhabitants are tormented by vampires. Among the town's leaders is a local vampire-fighter, Anna Valerius (Kate Beckinsale).
Had heaps of potential...as a comedy. There are some great lines and funny scenes in the movie, and many of the them are thanks to Carl / David Wenham. Richard Roxburgh's great campy portrayal of Count Dracula is also wonderful - reminded me of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
However, the movie too frequently regards itself as a drama - even worse, an action-drama - and this is where it suffers. The dramatic plot is weak and the action scenes are dull and generic.
So what you have are some great funny scenes interspersed with, and generally swamped by, dull action scenes. Very uneven.
Overall, okay, but could have been so much better.
This review of Van Helsing (2004) was written by Neil M on 21 Sep 2015.
Van Helsing has generally received mixed reviews.
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