Van Helsing (2004)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2004
	Director: Stephen Sommers (The Mummy 1-2, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra)
	Actors: Hugh Jackman (The Fountain, Real Steel), Kate Beckinsale (Underworld 1-5, Total Recall), Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings 2-3, 300)
	Country: USA, CZ, RO
	Genre: Adventure, Horror
	Conditions of visioning: September 2019, VOD, 10" tablet screen
Synopsis: The notorious monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula who is using Dr. Frankenstein's research and a werewolf for some sinister purpose.
Review: It took me four attempts to go through the two hours of the movie. I hadn't seen it since its cinema release and all I remembered was the funny side: anachronisms, Van Helsing action hero played by Hugh Jackman with a terrible wig, upbeat Flamenco music supposed to illustrate the European setting and the ridiculous side-kick played by David Wenham fresh out of The Return of the King where he played Faramir. I didn't remember how much of a melting pot the movie was and how annoying to watch that made it. 13 years before Universal studios tried to launch their 'Dark Universe' with The Mummy, Van Helsing was already combining the vampire hunter and his nemesis, ghouls, Frankenstein and his monster, Dr Jekyll &Mr. Hyde and werewolves, plus the religion background origin story borrowed from Dracula 2000!!! Nothing less.  The necessary digital effects are generous and watchable most of the time although not of the best quality. And on paper the concept is attractive, but for some reason the movie is annoying. Maybe too many unbelievable action scenes and twists. Director Stephen Sommers was trendy at the time after the success of his Indiana Jones-style humorous Mummy reboot with Brendan Fraser, but Van Helsing ended this.
Rating: 3 /10