- Film Review
- Reviewed By Sloan Freer
-
3 out of 5
Having re-invigorated the Mummy franchise, writer/director Stephen Sommers here turns his attention to the rest of Universal's classic monsters. Using the original films and character legends as a springboard, he delivers an exciting, effects-driven romp that combines the pulling power of Dracula, the Wolf Man and Frankenstein's Monster. Gabriel Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is dispatched by a secret, Vatican-based organisation to 19th-century Transylvania where he comes to the aid of Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale) in her long-running battle against the vampire Count and his evil allies. Though Richard Roxburgh's Dracula lacks charisma next to the magnetic Jackman, his flying, harpy-like brides are superb, fuelling some of the movie's most thrilling set pieces. This is Indiana Jones meets Hammer Horror - the relentless action is blended with a knowing undercurrent and dramatic gothic styling. Ultimately the CGI could have been better - as could the dialogue - but viewed solely as escapism, this is an exhilarating ride.
Plot Summary
Action fantasy horror from the director of The Mummy, starring Hugh Jackman as Vatican-appointed monster slayer Gabriel Van Helsing. Dispatched to 19th-century Transylvania to aid Gypsy princess Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale) in her long-running battle against Count Dracula, Van Helsing discovers that his vampire foe is using other legendary monsters in his evil work. With the Wolf Man already his slave, all Dracula needs to make him unstoppable is Frankenstein's Monster.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Gabriel Van Helsing
- Hugh Jackman
- Anna Valerious
- Kate Beckinsale
- Count Dracula
- Richard Roxburgh
- Carl
- David Wenham
- Frankenstein's Monster
- Shuler Hensley
- Aleera
- Elena Anaya
- Igor
- Kevin J O'Connor
- Velkan Valerious
- Will Kemp
- Cardinal Jinette
- Alun Armstrong
- Verona
- Silvia Colloca
- Marishka
- Josie Maran
- Top Hat
- Tom Fisher
- Dr Victor Frankenstein
- Samuel West
- Mr Hyde
- Robbie Coltrane
Crew
- Director
- Stephen Sommers
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