The plot, such as it is, exists really only to provide a showcase for as many classic monsters as possible: Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde all make appearances. The artistic license that Sommers takes with the history of these characters may have sounded good in theory, but in execution it comes across as contrived and false, seemingly derived from the minds of pre-teen boys ("Who would win if Dracula fought the Wolfman?") The action flows from one set piece to the next without regard for continuity or logic.
Technically, the film is a mess. The camera never stops moving, and some of the more extreme digitally-enhanced shots may actually induce nausea. The editing is so frantic and haphazard that even more simple scenes devolve into a mess of seemingly unrelated shots.
A film like this should be an effects showcase, but the CGI was both obvious and jarring. Rather than blend seamlessly with the actors and sets, the computer generated elements are immediately identifiable as such. Some of these effects may have been impressive five or six years ago, but today they just seem half-baked and sloppy.
Ultimately, there's little to recommend Van Helsing, even to the most die hard fans of classic monster movies. An opening black-and-white prologue that re-imagines the final scenes of Frankenstein is more entertaining than the two hours that follow. Jackman and Beckinsale are both nice to look at, but they can't save this complete and utter disaster of a film.
Article comments
1 - RJ Elliott
Geez. Is it that bad? This was one film I was kinda sorta looking forward to...
2 - Natalie Davis
Then I suggest you see it and make up your own mind rather than miss what might be a good time because of someone else's opinion. Sometimes a good escapist, over-the-top popcorn flick featuring wondrous eye candy can be super-great fun. And VH, IMHO, is terrific fun.
3 - Duane
Gee, I don't suppose that Natalie's positive review has anything to do with the guy in the lead role? Would it have been as much fun if Ed Norton had taken the starring role? Sounds like Scott knows whereof he speaks.
4 - Robbie
This is the worst review I have ever read!! Sure it's thorough, and yes a few points (ie Dracula) show some truth...However, the rest is all completely trash. If I was looking for a book critic, I think I have found one. It's painfully revieling that the critic that has written this, is a far more a book fan rather than a movie expert, or fan. Please, please, critic books! I'm sure you are much better with books. As for you, the reader. Go see Van Helsing. If you love movies, and you love monster movies even more. You will find Van Helsing much more than catchy!! As the author of this review has pointed out in his/her falsifying opinion.
5 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Robbie, good for you for saying you don't agree and offering a different opinion. Better than saying nothing. But i thought this review was really very good. Just becuase you disagree with it doesnt mean it was a bad piece of writing with regards this film. It was perfectly composed, and a lot better than 90% of other reviews of such to be found online, either of the same opinion or more positive. The strength of a piece like this isn't neccesarily in whether you agree or not, as Natalie says, make up your own mind, but in how well it gets the writer's feelings across, and how thought-provoking it is. Which, based on the comments here, seems to be what this done.
Thanks, Scott, for an impassioned and considered piece of writing.
6 - Robbie
Thanks for the generaly open minded reply :-)
7 - Viper
The original review of this movie was done by a person who obviously doesn't like movies. His arbitrary statement that there is NO meaningful revelation as to Van Helsing's identity is hogwash. I don't know how many times the statement of "He is the Left Hand of God" and he was called "Gabreal" by Dracula himself. If you put these two bits of information together you come up with Arch Angel Gabreal, the warrior Angel, the Left Hand of God. I guess if the reviewer did a little basic Bible reading instead of sole seaching he'd realize how full of crap he really is. The movie was a good ride, and come on people its fantasy, ANYTHING goes. There are no rules here or benchmarks for that matter.
Viper