Van Helsing

Paul Martin, 8 May 2004

Fun. That's the word I have to describe it. All that this movie was meant to be was a fun movie. Like "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns," it was made with the intent of entertaining for a few hours. It does that. The soundtrack is really good, probably the best part of the film. The music is better than the movie it was made for. However, the costuming was cool, and the setting. There are some things that go unexplained, but you quickly forget about those. I don't really know what I'd rate this movie, given it's reason for being. To entertain. However, is it poor entertainment? Sometimes. Is it fun? Sometimes. Is it a horrible movie? Sometimes. Is it a great movie? Sometimes. It's a lot of sometimes and that adds up to a lot of what it could have been. Van Helsing has a look all his own. The movie starts out with an interesting black and white opening sequence, then jumps forward in time only one year, and is in color. Van Helsing is fighting Mr. Hyde, a monster straight outta Monster's Inc. with nothing changed to make him look more realistic. Then it moves on to an intricate plot involving Frankenstein's Monster, Count Dracula, and Werewolves, and those that hunt them. All in all a pretty cool premise that needs work. Perhaps a campy sequel to this camp fest will be made. I'll watch it.

7/10