 "Popcorn movie" | 2008-09-13 |
| - Reviewed By sharpsites |
This not a great movie; it doesn't try to be and doesn't take itself too seriously either. But its basically made well enough to qualify as light comedy/action/horror entertainment. However, there is an intense 5 minute scene that comes close to being great and that I re-watched 5 times because it was a really well done action scene. Its the part early in the movie where Helsing arrives into the village is attacked by 3 vampires flying down at him while he fires back with his machine gun cross bow - Great Fun!!! The girl Vamps were sexy, and the Count delivered a few good lines also. The movie is definitely better than average on every level.
|
| |
 "(zero stars) 'video games are better'" | 2008-08-30 |
| - Reviewed By jstabile4 |
| I saw some geek on TV -no, wait, "geek" is now a positive term- some arrogant dork on TV proclaim that video games are superior to movies. NOT in some *specific* way, just better overall. I was not sympathetic to this. Of coarse the show was about video games and how awesome they are and cool it is to spend all your time buying and playing them. If your inclined to agree with this nerd's opinion what is there left to say? Thing is, this thing here, VAN HELSING, is the best possible argument for video games being better entertainment than movies you could ever come up with. This is one of the most horrible, absurd pieces of junk I've ever come across. The whole thing is like a stupid video game. But you don't get to play. It's like when your hanging out with friends and stuck sitting there watching people play a game all afternoon. And the game is lame and nobody has any stuff and your just sitting there. |
| |
 "Horror/Fantasy James Bond -- Shaken, Not Stirred -- Bloody Likely" | 2008-08-14 |
| - Reviewed By mourgos |
Since Universal Studios practically began the horror era back in the 30's with the Mummy and Frankenstein and Dracula, Boris Karloff, et al., I thought it would be a kick to see Van Helsing.
Steve Sommers made quite a tongue in cheek movie that plays with the past Hollywood mythology of horror films and adds some of his own. I didn't know that if Dracula is killed then that somehow reverses everyone he's ever bitten. Hmm, don't remember that one with Bela Lugosi.
And Jackman is a kind of James Bond 007 and Robert Conrad of the old TV show Wild, Wild West! The Wild Wild West - The Complete First Season He works for a secret Vatican enclave whose mission is to wipe out all evil. And Van Helsing's forgotten past makes him the perfect Left Hand of God, but I'm getting ahead of myself here.
Kate Beckinsale, Vacancy as well as being easy on the eyes, does pretty well as the vengeful Transylvanian noblewoman, out for Dracula's blood (so to speak) to confirm nine generations of her family to wipe this guy out. Can Van Helsing do the deed?
The special effects are amazing and have been used so often in other films as to be almost boring. Just keep a fresh outlook. I mean what the ancient men of filmland could have done with CGI!
Music was especially spooky and ghoulish. The script was deliciously campy and corny, just the way I like my Universal.
Much liberty is made of the old Wolfman, Frankenstein, Dracula and even Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde mythology. Take it all with a grain of salt and you'll be fine.
The DVD itself is a marvel. A self-guided tour through Drac's Castle is fun. The legend of Van Helsing, complete with original film clips from the original Lugosi classic film. Dracula (75th Anniversary Edition) (Universal Legacy Series) Bringing the Monster to Life reviews the special effects artists and interviews with them and on the set. The "You are in the Movie" is a film within a film, seeing the movie through various different views. They hid cameras on the set and it's almost like seeing a newly edited version.
Not bad at all. Hokey, campy and cheesy, but purposely so. Good job.
Three stars for the film as I felt it was too heavy on effects and not enough on story. One more star for the DVD specials! Nice package.
Better than "Dead & Loving It!" Dracula: Dead and Loving It [Region 2]
** SPOILER ** The irony of Wolverine becoming a Wolfman was too cool to miss.
Better Sommers flick: The Mummy (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition)
|
| |
| "The angel Gabriel" | 2008-07-11 |
| - Reviewed By daley304 |
| I don't know why some people have panned this. I love this movie. It's not cheesy; it pays a clever and insightful homage to old monster movies. I applaud Stephen Sommers for his extensive knowledge of the subject, so that he can do this accurately. As a director, Sommers also makes good casting decisions, and doesn't rely on the special effects to make his film -- something that should be appreciated more in this largely technological age, I feel. The climatic twist in "Van Helsing" happens to be extraordinarily touching and romantic, and a bittersweet example of good triumphing over evil -- something else that I really appreciate in my entertainment in this day and age. I honestly recommend "Van Helsing," for repeated watching, despite the bad reviews. |
| |
 "A thrilling horror story" | 2008-06-29 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2KBDAPCF0OV0H |
I bought this movie because I loved watching Hugh Jackman in the X-Men movie. I'm also a horror movie fan.
This was an excellent, frightening, fast-paced movie. The special effects were fantastic.
The extras were well-appreciated: a tour of Dracula's castle, the Legend of Van Helsing, Bringing the Monsters to life.
I'm an amateur graphic artist, so I appreciate such insights into how such effects were created.
I'd recommend this movie to anyone with similar tastes to mine. |
| |
| "Proof that less is more" | 2008-06-09 |
| - Reviewed By bwaynef |
I really wanted to like "Van Helsing," especially after reading various interviews with the director who acknowledged that the film was inspired by his love for the Universal horror classics. Unfortunately, he comes closer to recreating the mediocrity of "House of Frankenstein" than one of the earlier superior horror classics.
There is a lot to like about "Van Helsing." The sets are impressive and the special effects can not be faulted. There are plenty of impressive action sequences that can make you gasp. In the end, though, it proves the old adage that "less is more."
The movie is positively stuffed from end to end with breathtaking stunts and special effects, leaving little time for character development or story. That's unfortunate because there are, indeed, several novel twists worth exploring, such as Dracula's financial support of Dr. Frankenstein's experiments. But this is simply mentioned then quickly discarded in favor of stunts and effects that grow monotonous because they are so plentiful. There's never time to catch your breath. For some viewers, these complaints may sound more like recommendations. Rest assured, if it's action you want, this movie delivers . . . and delivers, and delivers.
Hugh Jackman is okay, but his Van Helsing is closer in spirit to Indiana Jones than the character created by Bram Stoker and played to perfection in other movies by such actors as Edward Van Sloan, Peter Cushing, Laurence Olivier and Anthony Hopkins. As Dracula, however, Richard Roxburgh seems too intent on channeling Bela Lugosi and too often brings to mind Al Lewis, Grandpa on "The Munsters," instead. Frankenstein's monster and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde also put in appearances, but nothing really progresses beyond the surface level. Too bad. The premise is great. The effects are superb. The action is well-staged. The story, however, falls short.
Brian W. Fairbanks |
| |
| "Mega Monster Mash-Up" | 2008-04-17 |
| - Reviewed By amp70214 |
The Good Things
*Loads of slick special effects.
*Good cameramanship.
*Good production quality (good sets, costumes, designs, etc).
*Despite all the stereotypes and bad accents, the acting is passable.
*Storyline works and leaves much room for lots of upbeat adventure.
*There is a good number of nifty gadgets.
*Music is not bad.
The Bad Things
*The main monster characters are not very well developed, and conform more to their given stereotypes. Dracula acts much like he did when Bella Lugosi played him. Frankenstein is a total drama queen. Wolfman is somewhat cool, but still shallow.
*The human characters are also not very well developed, and have incredibly hoaky accents.
*Van Helsing himself is a shallow Indiana Jones type character, and has very little to do with the original character from Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula."
*Everything is extremely cheesy.
The concept is corny in itself; a combination of the top three movie monsters (Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolfman) in one big brawling adventure. As a story, it's mildly interesting. The characters are very lacking, showing nothing beneath their cliched surfaces. This film doesn't do any justice to the actors or the characters. The best thing is simply the action and special effects. It's simply better to turn your brain off, sit back, and enjoy the eye-candy. Probably best viewed during Holloween. |
| |
| "Van Helsing is a fun, tongue-in-cheek, salute to the horror films of the 50's and 60's." | 2008-04-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: AZCDCO6KK2T81 |
This film is a throwback to those old 50's horror films that had classic monsters doing battle with each other coupled with the wit of the 60's era all combined with the thrills and special effects of today's films.
Entertainment rarely gets better than this. Now stop laughing at my five stars for this kind of film. This isn't the five stars you would give a film like Platoon or The Painted Veil. It's more like the five stars you would you give a film like Aliens or Die Hard. This is fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment. It's simple popcorn fun that the whole family, for the most part, can enjoy. The CGI can be a little over-the-top, but it is still excellently done and doesn't get in the way of the story.
The film has engaging actors who, while playing their roles with some seriousness, you can tell that it is all tongue-in-cheek and one expects them to wink at the camera at any time. Hugh Jackman certainly carries the film with great charm and coolness that reminds one of Ford's Indiana Jones. Kate Beckinsale is great as his reluctant partner and just looks dang sexy in this role that brings to mind her Underworld character. She just sizzles on the screen. In addition, excellent support is rendered by David Wenham, most known for his roles in 300 and The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy, Richard Roxburgh of Stealth, Kevin J. O'Conner from The Mummy, and Robbie Coltrane who is best known as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.
The direction is confidently done and unobtrusive. He combines action and horror very effectively. The photography is appropriately creepy and atmospheric. The set designs are elaborate and the score is compelling. The entire film is excellently produced and is what I call a high octane film. This film gets you running on all cylinders. Watch it and have a blast enjoying it for the kind of entertainment it is.
The film is thrilling and suspenseful with the various classic creature battling each other and at times forming uneasy alliances. This is just old fashioned witty and enjoyable entertainment. The repeat value of this film is what also makes this film worthy of a place in your DVD collection. |
| |
| "CGI a little over the top, but I've watched it a few times. I dig it." | 2008-03-23 |
| - Reviewed By anthropwriter |
I have noted some bad reviews, and few stars but I really liked this film and I am keeping mine. When this first came out, I was very impressed, but even then I thought that some of the CGI was over the top. If you suspend disbelief (and / or have a margarita), the movie is very visually appealing.
Kate Beckinsale, alone, gives the movie a high rating, IMHO. There are some aspects of the film which are hokey, silly, or overdone, but overall I liked the movie enough to watch it a few times.
I recommend watching Bram Stoker's Dracula (Collector's Edition) and Underworld (Unrated Extended Cut), then watch Van Helsing (Widescreen Edition). |
| |
| "Screw the Critics" | 2008-03-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1PQZ6GJFF0ODY |
| You critics absolutely, one-hundred percent SUCK. Universal's Van Helsing is one of the best movies ever made. How can you not enjoy Hugh Jackman, David Wenham, Richard Roxburgh, and Kate Beckinsale all in one high-octane package?!? This is definitively, without a doubt, one of the best movies ever made in the history of Cinema!!! |
| |
![Van Helsing [HD DVD]](product_images/4923000/4923170_medium.jpg)
Expedited Available
![Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [HD DVD]](product_images/4925000/4925177_thumb.jpg)
![Star Trek The Original Series - The Complete First Season (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]](product_images/4938000/4938376-star-trek-the-original-series_thumb.jpg)
![The Bourne Supremacy [HD DVD]](product_images/4923000/4923124_thumb.jpg)
![The Big Lebowski [HD DVD]](product_images/4925000/4925197_thumb.jpg)
![Serenity [HD DVD]](product_images/4923000/4923095_thumb.jpg)
