May 18, 2004 07:17 AM
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(Updated May 18, 2004 07:23 AM)
My excitement of this motion picture ''Van Helsing'' evolved when I saw its trailers. ''Van Helsing'' last week in Philly and I wasn?t going to wait a few weeks before I would see it. I was too anxious, I rushed after work to see ?Van Helsing.? Its concept and resurrection of the most enjoyable and legendary monsters in movie history such as Count Dracula, The Mummy, Dr. Jerkyll and Mr. Hyde, the Wolfman, and my favorite monster of the bunch Frankenstein would be most entertaining to watch.
I also wish to add that the most enjoyable adventure for me while watching ''Van Helsing'' would be his adventure and battle with Count Dracula.
I really didn?t expect much of a plot to this movie, rather two hours of fun viewing and a roller coaster of fun from director and writer Steven Sommers. Sommers brings us his version, rendition and antics of gothic horror in ''Van Helsing'' which turns out to have a comic book flair of horror.
Nevertheless, ''Van Helsing'' does deliver entertaining special effects, sound effects a perfect gothic European medieval setting, cinematography, fairly good acting, and adventure that?s best suited for viewer entertainment. What a way to break into the summer at the box office.
Van Helsing was released May 7, 2004 Steven Sommers wrote and directed this movie its running time is two hours.
In this movie Dracula returns from the dead with death, vengeance and a legacy. Van Helsing, a man of reputation for stomping out evil and killing monsters is summoned by the Vatican to destroy Count Dracula, rid the world of evil ,and protect a Romanian family. Van Helsing begins this quest which ultimately leads to a seemly endless adventure.
Dracula?s existence becomes dependent upon the monsters that remain alive with the exception of Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and a serum. The battle between Van Helsing and Dracula is pretty much detailed and at times overdrawn though out the movie with some jolting moments of excitement, and horror.
Final Thoughts on ''Van Helsing''
Overall, ''Van Helsing'' is a very good and entertaining movie. It?s a clean movie not too much gore, and there is no profanity. Its comic book flair of this legendary hero, Gabriel Van Helsing prevailing in his quest against evil and Count Dracula along with a host of monsters and its special effects is excellent.
However I will not leave out that I did find this movie to be laughable and corny at times. ''Van Helsing'' is an action packed movie with lots of adventure, and fun. As for the acting, direction, and script the acting is done fairly well the movie?s lead actor Hugh Jackson is fairy good along with a fairly good cast of actors. As for the direction Steven Sommers does an excellent job with the settings, and appearance of an excellent gothic European medieval setting. I found the artistry of this movie to be just excellent.
The movie?s black and white cinematography at its opening, and revisit to Translyvania, and Dr. Frankenstein?s laboratory as depicted, and shown in the James Whale's 1931 release of the legendary horror classic ''Frankenstein'' is fascinating and done with perfection. As for the script at least there is a plot, but don?t expect too much. Overall, ''Van Helsing'' scores 4 stars it?s a good movie that you and your family will enjoy.
