Movies | at home or at the cinema

Laugh, Enjoy, Scare, Cry, Jump

Van Helsing

Tuesday, 17 August 2004 ‡ 17:36

There were very few moments when something was not happening in this film. Right from the start, special effects gave the film its substance.

I didn't think dracula's character came across as i would have expected, or maybe prefered. Roxburgh reminded me of Peter André or maybe some other boy band member, though his transformation into a vampire bat was great. Also the neat idea of having a new way of man turning into werewolf, over the usual sprouting hairs and elongating nose was cool. Most of the morphing effects were accepted since he choose to have his characters become or transform in more usual and dramatic ways.

I must say that Dracula bloke was a lucky chap to have had 3 gorgeous babes for brides and the chance to pop them several hundred times, wow, what a life... great way to spend 400 years.

Nothing in the film scared me, made me jump or caught me unexpected. Having said that, there were some great moments in the film. The flying cow near the beginning of the film, really funny, amidst all the chaos, something to chuckle about gave the film its 'not too serious' attitude.

I was hard pushed to recognise Coltrane's character and his character looked great. Here was some more light hearted moments of the film, not true horror. The only part of the film that spoilt it for me was the useless need for a scene of passion (was only a kiss) between leading man and leading lady. I really feel there is no need to put in any of this in a film, just for the sake of arghh factor.

I did like the ending, though did guess part of the film's story towards the end. There were some moments that were unexpected. Some parts where i expected some great dramatic scenes, never materialised.

I didn't think it was scary at all, not even classic horror style. It was close to Texas Chain Saw Masacre (original) funny, but not quite. Neat way of bringing together all of the horror movie classic characters together in one film. Sommers is probably more well known for directing The Mummy trilogy.

Labels: hugh jackman, kate beckinsale, vampire