Van Helsing *** (2004, Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham) – Classic Movie Review 2108

Having successfully resurrected The Mummy, writer-director Stephen Sommers now turns his hand in 2004 to the other Universal horror icons. So, this time, Dracula meets the Frankenstein’s Monster (Shuler Hensley) and the Wolf Man, as all the old-time film-land monsters are unleashed in this slick, flashy and costly-looking special-effects-driven chiller.

Hugh Jackman stars as the heroic monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing, who is sent by the Vatican with his ally Carl (David Wenham) to Transylvania to destroy the evil vampire Count Vladislaus Dracula (Richard Roxburgh). There they join up with and help out the lovely, feisty gypsy princess Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale), on a mission to end an ancient curse on her family by destroying the vampire. 

The movie is commendably intense if low on heart and humour, and the acting is slightly lacklustre, with neither the admirable Jackman nor Beckinsale seen quite at their best – he’s better in X-Men and she’s better in Underworld – and Roxburgh a rather disappointing Dracula.

But the clever tale breathes new chilling into the horror icons, and there’s thrilling action, while the visuals are eye-popping, with fantastic cinematography by Allen Daviau, glorious sets by inspired production designer Allan Cameron, and startling visual and creature special effects.

As the cardinal, Alun Armstrong gives another ripe and bad performance, just like he did in The Mummy. Samuel West is Dr Victor Frankenstein, Stephen H Fisher is Dr Jekyll, Robbie Coltrane plays Mr Hyde, Kevin J O’Connor is Igor and Silvia Colloca is Verona. The director’s daughter Samantha plays a young vampire.

It is filmed in the Czech Republic. With continuous creature violence and frightening images, it’s frightening for kids.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2108

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