Return of the OTT horror film
Also known as
Beware of some spoilers and too much bouncing.
Stephen Sommers must be a big kid, it's the only explanation I can think of for The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and now Van Helsing. Rocking film, multiple references throughout (in fact, almost as good as the book "Anno Dracula" by Kim Newman) and pretty much every cliche you could expect to find in a film about Dracula, Werewolves and Frankenstein's monster. However, given it wasn't trying to take itself seriously (and neither were any of the actors - well played Richard Roxburgh on playing Gary Oldman as Dracula) it looked fantastic. And was an absolute hoot.
Downsides - Kate Beckinsale's accent. Almost enough to wish for Keanu's return with his "British" accent, I tell you. Also, extremely "plot lite" (TM). As with any good B movie horror piece, it went for atmosphere and style over substance, which left me feeling a bit cheated. I have no doubt that in the sequel we could be discovering that Van Helsing is actually a fallen angel being punished ( a la Prohecy) - oh lookie, his first name is Gabriel....
And while Hugh Jackman did get his shirt off, it was only to enter the CGI set piece that was the Wolfman transformation - I felt cheated!
All in all, however, a fine film that will be joining my Special Edition DVD collection when it turns up.
Beware of some spoilers and too much bouncing.
Stephen Sommers must be a big kid, it's the only explanation I can think of for The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and now Van Helsing. Rocking film, multiple references throughout (in fact, almost as good as the book "Anno Dracula" by Kim Newman) and pretty much every cliche you could expect to find in a film about Dracula, Werewolves and Frankenstein's monster. However, given it wasn't trying to take itself seriously (and neither were any of the actors - well played Richard Roxburgh on playing Gary Oldman as Dracula) it looked fantastic. And was an absolute hoot.
Downsides - Kate Beckinsale's accent. Almost enough to wish for Keanu's return with his "British" accent, I tell you. Also, extremely "plot lite" (TM). As with any good B movie horror piece, it went for atmosphere and style over substance, which left me feeling a bit cheated. I have no doubt that in the sequel we could be discovering that Van Helsing is actually a fallen angel being punished ( a la Prohecy) - oh lookie, his first name is Gabriel....
And while Hugh Jackman did get his shirt off, it was only to enter the CGI set piece that was the Wolfman transformation - I felt cheated!
All in all, however, a fine film that will be joining my Special Edition DVD collection when it turns up.