Customer Reviews

Van Helsing (Widescreen Edition) (2004)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Can you say: AMAZING?!!!? This must be one of the best SFX movies ever made. It flat out rocks! Sure, some people say the plot is corny, the characters are corny, but, those who say that, I disagree with very, very strongly.
The movie's pace is good, and the story flows well. The characters: Van Helsing, Dracula, Frankenstein... they're good twists from the originals, and, come to think of it, I like this version of Dracula ten times better than numero uno. Trust me, you will love this movie. So, what are you waiting for? BUY IT! NOW!!!!!

This film has everything, great horror icons, great effects, loads of action and the fighting scenes are amazing, a top notch movie, a great horror/adventure

Ok ok I went into VH with my head lowered in shame but once this guilty as charged cheez fest kicked into high gear I couldnt help but enjoy myself.
Stephen Sommers has allways been a so/so director and his Mummy and Scorpion King films have never really warranted any praise from me but I faithfully went to see all three of them hoping that his craft would reach a high point.
Van Helsing is not that movie but it did bring me to the conclusion that the man loves his Universal Monsters and thats allright too I guess as long as he doesnt try his hand at romantic comedies or dramadies....now that would be scare me.

First of all, this is not a horror. This movie is a non-stop action, adventure romp which Sommers has proven time and again that he can provide successfully to his audience. Don't try to analyze this film. Don't try to dissect the relationship between the characters. Just hunker down with a bowl of popcorn, turn down the lights, turn on the surround sound system and enjoy 2 hours of pure visual delight, edge of your seat action and Alan Silvestri's bombastic score.

One of the most anticipated films of 2004 is the Universal Pictures release: Van Helsing. Hugh Jackman stars as the Bram Stoker character Prof. Abraham Van Helsing. Though many people remember the vampire killer from the Dracula novel to be a bit older and less active, director Stephen Sommers (of movie series The Mummy fame) is revamping the role to a more youthful and energetic age with a no-nonsense dimeanor. Set in the late Victorian age, Abraham Van Helsing is dispatched to investigate strange reports coming from dark eastern Europe. A world-renown monster hunter, this Van Helsing is a killer not to be triffled with. With a huge array of weapons, he appears to be a cross between Indiana Jones, Batman, and Attilla The Hun. Not only does he confront Dracula (played by Richard Roxburgh) on his mission, but also Frankenstein's Monster (played by Shuler Hensley) and the Wolfman (played by Will Kemp) as well. And these aren't your grandfather's monsters either. Universal Pictures has taken their classic horror monsters and beefed them up with modern heirs for the movie. The Wolfman is no longer a man with a hairy face. THIS version of The Wolfman would give the werewolf in An American Werewolf in London a run for his money. The same can be said of the other monsters shown, which Universal has announced you will be seeing all of. As even the movie's narrator proves to be Dr. Jekyll, you can be sure other Universal creatures as Mr. Hyde, Igor, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the Invisible Man won't be hard to find either. Buckle your seatbelts, Universal Picture's Van Helsing is gonna prove to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the year!

i thoroughly enjoyed myself throughout this movie.the basic Gist of the
story is this:Van Helsing takes on Count Dracula,The Wolfman,and the
Frankenstein Monster in one adventure.what more could you ask for?this
is one fast paced thrill ride,with spectacular action and fight
sequences.Hugh Jackman is Van Helsing,and makes the character larger
than life.Kate Beckinsale is Anna Valerious,whose family has for
centuries tried to rid the world of evil.she teams up with Van
Helsing,and the sparks fly.there is no denying the chemistry between
the two.i wouldn't call this a scary movie,but it is very intense at
times,and a bit morbid.it doesn't take itself seriously though,which
works in this case.for me,Van Helsing is a 4/5

I really like this movie lots of tongue in cheek lines the cast was so good.
lots of action... this is one movie I do NOT get bored watching over & over

I enjoyed this movie the action was entertaining and the there were moments of amusing comic relief that were enjoyable !

Hugh Jackman and others do a fine job. It is a keeper!
Enough reviewers have supplied the positives that I need not repeat. Family wanted a good vampire movie to purchase and this was it - well worth the purchase. Will be enjoyed for years to come.

This is an awesome Steampunk action/horror film about vampire/monster hunter named Gabriel Van Helsing (X-Men's Hugh Jackman). He is based on the character Abraham Van Helsing, created by Bram Stoker; of course he was made younger to appeal to a more modern era, and his name was changed from Abraham to Gabriel. Gabriel works at what-it-looks like a 19th century paranormal secret service in the Vatican; but oftens complains to the Cardinal Jinette that he is a murderer, killing monsters which were once good, decent people. However, he continues to do his job so that innocent people can no longer be harmed by the monsters who terrorize the world. Gabriel also had lost his memory, and has only clues to his history and true identity.

In the film Van Helsing (along with Friar Carl) was sent from Rome to a protect and aid a gypsy princess/monster hunter named Anna and to help in her family's quest in slaying Dracula. Anna, who is very bullheaded, didn't want to accept his help. However, before she had the chance to formally object, the village was viciously attacked by the three brides of Dracula: Aleera, Verona, and Marishka. Anna fled, knowing that the brides had come for her to finish killing off her family. This left Van Helsing fighting Marishka (the blonde birde), whom he shot with arrows with holy water on them and killed her. After that Van Helsing gains Anna's trust and she decides to work with him and Carl. As Van Helsing and Anna continue on working together they both realize the love they have for each other (I love the shipping between them).

As I said many times, I don't have a favorite scene, because I love the WHOLE film, it is an awesome Steampunk action/horror film!