April 22, 2004. Copyright, 2004, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Dracula returns in summer blockbuster, Van Helsing
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, April 22, Graphic News:  With Van Helsing, on general release worldwide from May 7, Stephen Sommers has an answer for those moviegoers who are fond of complaining: ŇThey donŐt make them like that anymore.Ó The director has breathed new life, literally, into the classic pantheon of Universal monsters to stage a cutting-edge filmic presentation of the eternal battle between the forces of good and evil.

Some of this might look like familiar territory: during the late 19th century monster slayer Dr Gabriel Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is ordered by a secret society to travel to a sinister eastern European land to take on lethally seductive Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh) and others, including FrankensteinŐs monster (Shuler Hensley) and Wolf Man (Will Kemp).

The Van Helsing character, born in the pages of Bram StokerŐs Dracula, first appeared on screen in UniversalŐs 1931 classic of the vampire yarn; in Translyvania the setting sun is again a cue for manŐs worst nightmares to begin, and Jackman is accompanied by a fearless beauty, Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale), whose family curse will only be lifted by the defeat of Dracula. Her brother Velkan turns into Wolf Man when there is a full moon.

Here, however, Sommers, who is best known for blockbusters The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, has distilled the essence of classic horror into a cutting-edge adventure film by using special effects to create a supernatural universe set in 19th century London, Paris, Rome and Translyvania. His is a fantastical world beset by a very tangible battle between a lone force for good (Helsing) and a host of evil-incarnate monsters bent on destroying manŐs soul.

Also inhabiting the movieŐs panoramic sets are DraculaŐs three brides, played by Elena Anaya, Silvia Colloca and Josie Maran, who will stop at nothing to help their devious master; Carl (David Wenham), a monk who must help Helsing to return home, and FrankensteinŐs misguided assistant Igor (Kevin OŐConnor), whose treachery unleashes more havoc.

Universal reportedly spent $150 million on producing Van Helsing, and $30 million on promoting it. The studio and NBC are already planning a spin-off television series entitled Translyvania. With the most coveted spot in the Hollywood year as its release date, expectations are high that this dark tale of enduring evil proves a summer-long monster hit.
/ENDS