Van Helsing

[pixels]

Just came back from the theaters, and all I can say is wow. Well not really, heres more:

Movie was excellent, great special effects, awesome usage of Dr. Hyde/Jeklll, Frankenstien, & Dracula. The whole plot twisted together at the end and had a great battle scene. The 2 time birth of Dracula's breed was awesome, the second much cooler than the 1st (green lightening! omfg!). The crappy thing was the hot girl died, but that was the end of the movie anyway, so ;P

A must see.

[Battlecruiser]

Looks cool. Might see it this weekend.

[Modred]

I'm afraid that the movie has perverted the characters of the monsters...or rather, used the stereotypical perversions of the monsters that have prevailed over the last fifty years. I'll probably go see it as soon as I have some money...

[Nuts]

Ebert gave it 3 stars, I will definitely see this in the theaters.

[Divad]

He gave it 3? Hmm.. The reviewer for the paper that we get gave it a 2 1/2. I will see this movie, but my expectations aren't hihg. Looks like it has good effects. BUt I don't know about a story or plot or character development.

[Nuts]

Nuts has seen this movie.

The movie requires a small suspension in the natural sciences, such as gravity. But other than that, the movie was a refreshing idea. The fact that a movie is intended to entertain has left many producers/directors in the dark, but not Stephen Sommers. The man took these legends and combined them into one very fluid and entertaining movie. Some of you may not have realized that most of the concepts in this movie had been entertained in prior monster movies from the early half of the century. It's great to see a movie that can pay homage to the legends that are Dracula, Frankensteins monster and the Werewolf amongst others.

This is a movie where CGI is a definite plus, yet it doesn't detract from the main characters nor does it try to consume the movie with needless imagery. There is just enough CGI to make it visually appealing, yet we are permitted to see a some great work from Jackman and Beckinsale (whom I might add is looking quite stunning in this movie.)

I must say, the twist with Van Helsing in the last 20-30 minutes was delightfully unexpected. I enjoy being surprised with such things. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, you'll have to see the movie. ;) Although it was hinted about, I was being willfully ignorant since I was rather engaged with the movie itself.

Did anyone recognize the gentleman that played Carl? None other that David Wenham who played Faramir in Lord of the Rings. Talk about your versatility. Additionally, who noticed the similarities between this movie's Mr. Hyde and that of LXG's version. With the exception of the pot belly, I found the two almost identical. Odd.

Side note: In many movies, the line between Dr. Frankenstein and his monster were blurred. Many people unknowledgable with Mary Shelly's book would refer to the monster as Frankenstein, this is incorrect. I am happy to see that this movie got it right.

I also thought it would be fun to show you the actors behind the makeup, there's alot of talent in this movie.

David Wenham - Carl
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:3H7EXVRXFREJ:www.kiryoku.net/faramir/gallery/normal/9.jpg
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0920992/

Richard Roxburgh - Dracula
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:nfeat_OTNHUJ:www.dvdspecial.ru/foto/f79bad90.jpg
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0746896/

Shuler Hensley - Frankenstein's Monster
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:YN9vuVDn71kJ:www.theatermania.com/news/images/2490b.jpg
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0378175/

Kevin J O'Connor - Igor
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:auI6bvRcFSwJ:www.vanhelsingmovie.net/castcrew/Kevin.%2520J.%2520O%27%2520Connor.jpg
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0640413/

And a little known fact, the werewolf was played by Gary Coleman. I know, they can do wonders with the camera. :D

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