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Van Helsing
May. 29th, 2004 12:31 amWent out with friends to see Van Helsing tonight. Thought I would write a quick blog review, since I think such a film deserves one. I have heard very mixed reviews about it, and, after seeing it, I am nclined to write a very mixed reveiew myself.
There was lots of action, a clever, if recycled and a little predictable plot, and it contained all the elements of a good action film - stunning special effects, lots of guns and explosions, and a sexy hero who gets the equally sexy heroine in the end. Well, kind of. There was a slight difference in the ending, which was surprising and would have been rather well done if it were not for the typical majestic riding off into the sunset ending.
The vampire thing, I don't think they quite got down. Oh, yes, the actor who played Dracula got it down, of course, as actors of Dracula always do - they always manage to be suave and flawless and somehow sexier than the rugged hero - even if in this case he was played by Hugh Jackman. Perhaps that is just me, Dracula turns me on, and there was a nice bit of vampire eroticism in one scene. I think the dissapointing thing about such films is that Dracula (or whatever supernatural evil overlord) is almost always the sexiest, most interesting character, but you know, to fill the action movie formula, that he is going to die in the end. I would, actually, like to see a film where Dracula did not die in the end. I suppose that is why one wants to watch 'Interview With The Vampire' again and again and again.
There were lots of thrills and spills in the film, and the characters were rather cool. The same characters that are in a lot of these sorts of films, but rather cool. I must admit I do like the blending of all these old stories, though, I must admit, if I had to pick one, I would say that 'Leauge Of Extrodinary Gentlemen' did it with more style.
Kate Beckinsale rather annoyed me, almost every aspect of her, from her '18th century dominatrix' outfit to her heavily made up face - only prostitutes wore that much makeup in those days - and that frigging bloody hair that managed to look gorgeously dishevelled even after an entire pile of rubble had falled atop her. Sure I understand that action movie maidens have to look gorgeous, but that was taking it just a little too far.
All in all, for those among you who are after an action flick with plenty of killin', maiming,funky gadgets and sexy heroes and villains, it is a rather good film - well domen special effects and a decent plot. If you are a fan of vampire film and literature and are looking for an interesting depiction of the immortal creatures, look somewhere else. It is a supernatural action film in which the demonic characters are simply used as a plot device.
Worth seeing for yourself and making your own opinions on.
There was lots of action, a clever, if recycled and a little predictable plot, and it contained all the elements of a good action film - stunning special effects, lots of guns and explosions, and a sexy hero who gets the equally sexy heroine in the end. Well, kind of. There was a slight difference in the ending, which was surprising and would have been rather well done if it were not for the typical majestic riding off into the sunset ending.
The vampire thing, I don't think they quite got down. Oh, yes, the actor who played Dracula got it down, of course, as actors of Dracula always do - they always manage to be suave and flawless and somehow sexier than the rugged hero - even if in this case he was played by Hugh Jackman. Perhaps that is just me, Dracula turns me on, and there was a nice bit of vampire eroticism in one scene. I think the dissapointing thing about such films is that Dracula (or whatever supernatural evil overlord) is almost always the sexiest, most interesting character, but you know, to fill the action movie formula, that he is going to die in the end. I would, actually, like to see a film where Dracula did not die in the end. I suppose that is why one wants to watch 'Interview With The Vampire' again and again and again.
There were lots of thrills and spills in the film, and the characters were rather cool. The same characters that are in a lot of these sorts of films, but rather cool. I must admit I do like the blending of all these old stories, though, I must admit, if I had to pick one, I would say that 'Leauge Of Extrodinary Gentlemen' did it with more style.
Kate Beckinsale rather annoyed me, almost every aspect of her, from her '18th century dominatrix' outfit to her heavily made up face - only prostitutes wore that much makeup in those days - and that frigging bloody hair that managed to look gorgeously dishevelled even after an entire pile of rubble had falled atop her. Sure I understand that action movie maidens have to look gorgeous, but that was taking it just a little too far.
All in all, for those among you who are after an action flick with plenty of killin', maiming,funky gadgets and sexy heroes and villains, it is a rather good film - well domen special effects and a decent plot. If you are a fan of vampire film and literature and are looking for an interesting depiction of the immortal creatures, look somewhere else. It is a supernatural action film in which the demonic characters are simply used as a plot device.
Worth seeing for yourself and making your own opinions on.
