I’m not sure what to make of Van Helsing, as I’m not exactly sure what audience the film-makers thought they were aiming at. After a few beers I found it to be vastly entertaining, although most critics seem to have been expecting Shakespeare and gave it a real kicking.

The movie doesn’t help itself by showing very little reverence for the established movie icons in the plot, or by its determination to end every scene with a one-liner or a punch-up, but if you expect a stupid tongue-in-cheek monster movie (and that’s what Stephen Sommers always makes) then you couldn’t do much better.

Hugh Jackman looks a bit puzzled as an Australian Van Helsing, but Kate Beckinsale manages a perfect comedy Transylvanian accent, and fits her costume even more perfectly.

Mild Peril Rating:

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