HallowScream - Van Helsing (2004)

        Hey guys, Chuck here, and we're back with more HallowScream. So far this month, we've gotten into movies were Kate Beckinsale plays a vampire with the Underworld series. Today, however, we're going to be seeing her as a Romanian warrior fighting vampires in Van Helsing, the 2004 film from Universal Pictures and writer-director Stephen Sommers. Along with Beckinsale, this movie stars Hugh Jackman, David Wenham, Richard Roxburgh, Shuler Hensley, Kevin J. O'Connor, Will Kemp, Alun Armstrong, Elena Anaya, Silvia Colloca, Josie Maran, and Samuel West. 

         So, for a little background, this movie came about because of the success of two other monster movies that Stephen Sommers wrote and directed for Universal with The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, both starring Brendan Fraser. So, the studio thought they could replicate the success of The Mummy franchise with this movie, centered on the monster hunter Van Helsing, that would have their three most iconic monsters: Dracula, the Wolf Man, and Frankenstein's monster. But, does this movie do that? Let's find out as we dive into Van Helsing. 

        So, the movie opens in Transylvania in the year 1887, where we see Dr. Victor Frankenstein working on his legendary experiment, all the while an angry mob is beginning to invade Castle Frankenstein. The experiment is successful, and Frankenstein's monster is alive. However, what's different I this telling of the story of Frankenstein is that his experiment was being bankrolled by Count Dracula, who had a nefarious plan for the monster. Frankenstein refuses, and finds himself killed because of it. The monster takes Frankenstein's body to the iconic windmill, which is set on fire, and the monster is presumed dead. 

        We then jump to Notre Dame in Paris, where monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing is going after Dr. Henry Jekyll, who is currently transformed into Mr. Edward Hyde. Yep, Jekyll and Hyde are in this movie, and the CGI of Mr. Hyde just looks like ass. A brawl ensues, Hyde turns back into Jekyll, and he dies upon landing on the streets below, prompting anger at Van Helsing for his actions. So, Van Helsing returns to the Vatican, where he is berated by Cardinal Jinette. However, Jinette gives Van Helsing an assignment, believing it could help unlock his mysterious past. The assignment? Head to Transylvania to assist Anna and Velkan Valerious, the last descendants of the Valerious clan, in defeating Dracula. So, after getting a scroll from Jinette, and weapons from a friar named Carl, Van Helsing is off to Transylvania. Oh, and he brings Carl with him. 

        Anyway, we meet Velkan and Anna in a battle against a werewolf, and Velkan is lost while fending off the beast. But, when Van Helsing and Carl arrive, Dracula's brides show up and attack, with one of them being killed by Van Helsing. The other two return to Dracula, who has set up shop in Castle Frankenstein. Later, Velkan returns and reveals that he is now a werewolf, and is being used in Dracula's plan to energize his children, a swarm of bat-like vampire creatures that will destroy every living person on Earth. Unfortunately, the werewolves he's been using don't have enough energy to make the experiment work, as the only thing on Earth capable of this was Frankenstein's monster, which is presumed destroyed. The werewolf, it turns out, is Velkan, who was turned into a werewolf after the previous one was eliminated. Whoops. And after a confrontation with Velkan, Anna and Van Helsing flee to the burned windmill, where they find Frankenstein's monster alive and well.

          So, the race is on to keep Frankenstein's monster out of the hands of Dracula and his brides. Unfortunately, they abduct Anna, forcing a trade with Dracula: Anna in exchange for Frankenstein's monster. Dracula and his followers take the monster, and Anna, Carl, and Van Helsing follow them back to Transylvania. Oh, and Van Helsing was bitten by the werewolf, meaning he'll become one if he doesn't find a cure--a cure that Dracula happens to have. Looking at a painting in Anna's father's study, Van Helsing notices a corner missing, and places his scroll where the missing corner is on the painting, opening the hidden doorway to none other than Castle Dracula. 

         So, we see Anna defeat Dracula's last bride, Carl defeat Igor, and the epic showdown between Van Helsing and Dracula. And just before his defeat, Dracula reveals that Van Helsing was one the angel Gabriel, sent from heaven to defeat Dracula. Anna, sacrificing her life to do so, injects Van Helsing with the cure, restoring him to normal. Anna is laid to rest, the spirits of herself and her ancestors finally go to heaven, Frankenstein's monster is set free to live his own life, and Carl and Van Helsing ride off for parts unknown. 

         So, this movie is the poster definition of "all style with little substance." There's a ton of action throughout, but no tangible story to back it up. On top of that, the editing is so frantic, it's damn near impossible to really get a read on what the fuck is even happening in this movie. Not to mention the CG effects that just look like ass, and really don't hold up in this day and age. 

         Of the few things that work about the movie is the cast. Hugh Jackman, who was on a roll after taking on the role of Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, was really enjoyable as Van Helsing. Well, at least he kicked a lot of ass in the movie. Also, both Kate Beckinsale and David Wenham were decent as Anna and Carl. Samuel West, who only appeared in the prologue, was absolutely fantastic as Dr. Frankenstein, whilst Shuler Hensley gave a unique take on Frankenstein's monster, a being who is intelligent and spiritual, much in line with the original creature from Mary Shelley's original book. 

         Richard Roxburgh was extremely over the top as Dracula, as were Elena Anaya, Silvia Colloca, and Josie Maran as his three brides. However, they were arguably the part of the movie that made it as memorable as it was. And as I said, the CGI for their bat-like forms just looked terrible. Lastly, Kevin J. O'Connor was almost too perfect as Igor, looking creepy and disturbing, always looming around to act on Dracula's orders. 

        Easily the one good scene in the movie was at the beginning, and mainly because it was filmed in black and white. Had the entire movie been made that way, it would have been more enjoyable to me. But, with that said, I'm giving Van Helsing a rating of 3.45/5. Anyway guys, this is Chuck signing off, and HallowScream will be back next time with the next film in the Underworld series: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.