Van Helsing (2004)

The notorious monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula who is using Dr. Frankenstein's research and a werewolf for some sinister purpose.

Director:

Stephen Sommers

Writer:

Stephen Sommers

Stars:

Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh

3 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Jackman	...	Van Helsing
Kate Beckinsale	...	Anna Valerious
Richard Roxburgh	...	Count Vladislaus Dracula
David Wenham	...	Carl
Shuler Hensley	...	Frankenstein's Monster
Elena Anaya	...	Aleera
Will Kemp	...	Velkan
Kevin J. O'Connor	...	Igor
Alun Armstrong	...	Cardinal Jinette
Silvia Colloca	...	Verona
Josie Maran	...	Marishka
Tom Fisher	...	Top Hat
Samuel West	...	Dr. Victor Frankenstein
Robbie Coltrane	...	Mr. Hyde
Stephen Fisher	...	Dr. Jekyll (as Stephen H. Fisher)

Storyline

Van Helsing is in the world to rid all evil, even if not everyone agrees with him. The Vatican sends the monster hunter and his ally, Carl, to Transylvania. They have been sent to this land to stop the powerful Count Dracula. Whilst there they join forces with a Gypsy Princess called Anna Valerious, who is determined to end an ancient curse on her family by destroying the vampire. They just don't know how!

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Plot Keywords:

19th century | van helsing | dracula | vampire | frankenstein | 

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Taglines:

The One Name They All Fear

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for nonstop creature action violence and frightening images, and for sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Van Helsing Official site

Country:

USA Czech Republic Romania

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

7 May 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Van Helsing: Cazador de monstruos

Filming Locations:

Downey Studios - 12214 Lakewood Boulevard, Downey, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$160,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$51,748,040, 9 May 2004

Gross USA:

$120,177,084

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$300,157,638

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, The Sommers Company, Stillking Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the time the movie takes place Transylvania did not belong to Romania, but to Austria-Hungary Empire. It only became part of Romania in 1918.

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Goofs

The table to which Frankenstein's monster is strapped during the opening scene moves throughout the scene.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dr. Victor Frankenstein: It's alive. It's alive. It's alive!

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Crazy Credits

There are no opening titles, save the film studio logo. The title of the movie and the credits only appear in the end credits, which are seen as part of the portal to Dracula's lair.

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Connections

Follows Van Helsing: The London Assignment (2004)

User Reviews

Monsters mix from Universal

The film is a monstrous cocktail : Dr. Jekill and Mr.Hyde , Frankestein, werewolf , Dracula ,Igor.

The starring is Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) , the monster hunter . The first fight with Mr. Hyde (Robbie Coltrane)in the Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris is breathtaking .

After that , he is assigned by Vatican to track down Dracula . He's helped by an action woman (Kate Beckinsale) and an assistant friar (David Wedham) who provides him anything gadgets as "Q" in James Bond's serials . He will have to confront werewolf , Frankestein (Shular Hensley) and specially Dracula (Richard Roxbough) and his brides (Elena Anaya, Silvia Colloca and Joshie Marian) .

The film is spectacular , the action-packed is fascinating and computer generator effects specials (FX) are overwhelming though excessive .

The movie mingles monsters action , suspense, terror , gore , rip-roaring, tongue-in-cheek , a little bit of humor and is amount bemusing but the plot is ridiculous .

Direction by Stephen Sommers is average , Alan Daviau's cinematography , set design by Alan Cameron and Alan Silvestri's musical score is outstanding.

Rating 6/10 . Passable .