Rated PG-13 for nonstop creature action violence and frightening images and sensuality.
Van Helsing has come a long way. He was introduced in Bram Stoker's novel Dracula in 1897, as Professor Abraham Van Helsing. He was from Amsterdam, a Doctor of medicine, philosophy and letters, a philosopher, metaphysician, one of the most advanced scientists of his day, and a man of all-embracing sympathy. A stage play of the novel, dramatized in 1927, described the character as A man of medium height, in the early fifties, clean-shaven, and with a mass of grey hair which is brushed backward.
Now, in the movie "Van Helsing," the character is portrayed by thirty-something Australian Hugh Jackman, with thick, long brown hair, stubble, and a cool outfit complete with wide-brimmed hat. His name is Gabriel Van Helsing, and he has no memory of who he is. He seems not to be a doctor, professor, or man of science, but he has an array of high-tech (for 1887) weapons to use in his ongoing mission to vanquish monsters at the behest of a secretive branch of the Vatican.
Dracula is planning some unknown evil scheme that depends upon the contribution of Frankenstein's Monster. The Wolf Man is on hand to hunt down and slay undesirables. Chief amongst these is a family that has been trying to kill Dracula for 400 years, but of which only two remain alive: Anna Valerious and her brother, Velkan. It is later revealed that Dracula had made a pact with Satan to live forever (as undead), while the Valerious family had made a pact of their own that promised salvation for their entire family if Dracula is killed.
Van Helsing is briefed on the Dracula situation and sent by his priestly dispatcher to Transylvania, where he meets up with Anna and inevitably saves her life and teams up with her to fulfill her family's quest to kill Dracula.
From beginning to end, Van Helsing is full of violence, as you would expect from a movie of this sort. Unnecessarily, it often dwells on disgusting details, such as bursting bats, impalements, rotting flesh, and the transformation of the Wolf Man, which involves his human skin ripping off to reveal the beast beneath.
The film contains only a couple of mild profanities. The name of God is used vainly a half-dozen times, as various people exclaim shock at some monstrosity or another.
Sex and nudity are also at a minimum, although irrelevant to the story. One male character's backside is partly exposed in one scene and the brides of Dracula are dressed provocatively.
Van Helsing is the first summer movie of 2004, and as with many recent summer action films, it hits the ground running. Character development is incidental. Having foreknowledge of Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolf Man, etc., may not be an asset coming into this film, because it makes up all new rules as it goes along. Indeed, I can imagine that Universal Studios, Florida, is constructing a Van Helsing ride as you read this.
Some curious spiritual references are made throughout the film. Some are obvious, such as the presence of the Vatican and references to Satan, Purgatory and Hell. But there are other subtler points. For instance, it becomes clear that Van Helsing is over 1800 years old, and he is referred to at one point as the left hand of God. That his name is Gabriel may be meant to suggest that he is an angel, although this is never clearly stated. Gabriel means strong man of God or young man of God, but Van Helsing is not clearly a man of God. In fact, when asked if he is a murderer or a holy man, Van Helsing replies, Perhaps a little of both.
The film thus seems to want to blur the line between good and evil, but at other times it makes clear distinctions: Van Helsing says he can only kill what is evil and that he can tell if someone is motivated by evil, thereby clearly suggesting that evil exists and that it is an inward trait in some.
Dracula mocks God and Scripture in the movie, at one point saying, Do unto others before they do it to you. This is a contradiction of Jesus teaching, but of course, it is appropriate that a character in league with Satan would say what is opposite to what God calls good, since Satan is the author of lies.
This film is difficult to recommend because it is so muddled and overly violent. However, it does present some potential points for discussion about the nature of good and evil and what people must do to be saved and go to heaven. And if you like amusement park rides ...
Violence: Heavy
Profanity: Minor
Sex/Nudity: Minor
