I finally saw Van Helsing............ in '80s and '90s Horror and Sci-Fi Forum

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I finally saw Van Helsing............

Author	Comment
Rakshasa	Re: bah humbug	#21	[-]
Sep 17 05 11:50 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Can I keep my Creature Legacy set and forget Van Helsing? Please?
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Arch Stanton	Re: the VAN HELSING/CASINO ROYALE connection	#22	[-]
Sep 17 05 11:59 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* What are you talking about, CASINO ROYALE is GREAT! It's not a Bond film, it's a great 60's comedy. I chose CASINO ROYALE because it's a similar case of way too much money being spent for what ends up on screen (LOGAN'S RUN would be another example), and that both films take a bizarre bent on what inspired them. I actually enjoy parts of CASINO ROYALE tremendously, and the Bacharach score is a delightful joy. But a great movie? No way. *Quote:* Come on guys, VH was not that bad. Oh yes it was -- particularly taking into account how much money was spent on it (was it really $160 million, or more, plus marketing costs?), and with only one high-dollar star to pay. At the very least, the CG character effects should not have looked like cel animation. *Quote:* Personally I get a little tired of re watching the same Universal classics all the time, it's cool when somebody tries to pump some fresh blood into the genre. Well, there are all of the other different takes on the classic monsters (Hammer, AIP, Paul Naschy, and many, many others). Frankly, I was shocked at how utterly disinterested I was during my second viewing of VAN HELSING because I love elaborate effects (CG or otherwise) just about any time my eyes are open. While I do like several of the vampire women sequences, just about everything else is painful to watch. *Quote:* Also, least you all forget, if it wasn't for VH all you complaining Monster Kids would be without your cherished Legacy sets, you owe those to VH. Well, we wouldn't be without them. We just would have had to wait a lot longer. But, okay, we're thankful for the VAN HELSING push. *Quote:* Cut the movie some slack it tried to do something new and hip, if it didn't work OK, maybe next time they'll do better. I think it'll be a long time before they'll 'do better' because of VAN HELSING. Not only was it not the hit they were expecting, it was critically pulverized. If it had been any good at all, we'd be watching a sequel right now. In its favor, VAN HELSING does have a fine Silvestri score, some good set designs, and Kevin O'Connor's very entertaining role. And I guess I can see enough in it for it to be on a few 'guilty pleasure' lists, but when I think of what might have been accomplished for our beloved monsters with over $160 million, I get sad...and a little sick.
ryanbrennan	Re: the VAN HELSING/CASINO ROYALE connection	#23	[-]
Sep 18 05 1:01 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have to agree with those who find VAN HELSING an artistic failure. Even in movies with fantastic premises the viewer has right to expect that some conformity to the laws of nature will be observed. Or, at the very least, that the filmmakers will not pile more unbelievable events upon more unbelievable events. All that swinging across seemingly mile-wide chasms was a bit much and got to be boring because there was never any real danger associated with it. Obviously, anyone who could grasp hold of a cable, rope, or vine was capable of safely swooping over vast spaces without fear. I found the Frankenstein monster increasingly humorous as he seemed to declaim at top volume reams of flowery Victorian-style dialogue THAT ONLY A POOR CREATURE -- SUCH AS THE HUMBLE SERVANT DEPICTED IN THE MOTION PICTURE ENTERTAINMENT VAN HELSING -- COULD EVEN DARE TO POSSIBLY UTTER WITHIN THE CONFINES OF A CELLULOID PRESENTATION DESIGNED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE MASSES. I was also let down considerably by the casting of Dracula.
Carl Eyesnheart	Re: the VAN HELSING/CASINO ROYALE connection	#24	[-]
Sep 19 05 8:35 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I can only agree with the good looking women aspect for Kate Beckensale. She was very attractive, though wasted in the role. As for the vampire women, I usually try and find something else to do when they come on screen as they annoy the living hell out of me. Of recent films though, for my money if I want numerous monsters such as vampires and werewolves on screen, I will go with UNDERWORLD. It also is flawed, but the Lucian character and wolves are atleast pretty dang cool in that film.
Andy Sheets	Re: the VAN HELSING/CASINO ROYALE connection	#25	[-]
Sep 19 05 1:25 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think the one consistently good thing about Stephen Sommers's films is that he has a great eye for leading ladies. Deep Rising had Famke Janssen, The Mummy films had Rachel Weisz, and Beckinsale for Van Helsing.
n0s4a2	Re: VAN HELSING	#26	[-]
Sep 23 05 2:35 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I really disliked Sommers' The Mummy, but I enjoyed Van Helsing. It was overwrought and silly, but fun. Mr. Hyde was actually a very nice creation.
oldmanster	Re: VAN HELSING	#27	[-]
Sep 23 05 2:52 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Blasphemy or no, the reverse works for me. I enjoyed The Mummy, not as a homage/paean/reverence for the Universal predecessor, but as a fun bit of fluff with reasonably interesting CGI effects, a boisterous/exhuberant George of the Jungle-like performance by Brendan Fraser, just about everything involving Rachel Weisz, and a tremendous musical score by Jerry Goldsmith (one of his best, if not his best). Van Helsing featured none of these. Stephen Sommers was running on fumes. ... Reed
blackbiped	Re: VAN HELSING	#28	[-]
Sep 23 05 3:15 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I enjoy both of the MUMMY movies for the same reasons, especially the second one. I didn't hate VAN HELSING -- I thought it was fun to watch -- but I wouldn't buy it or anything. Legend, oh legend, the third wheel legend...always in the way.
taraco	Re: VAN HELSING	#29	[-]
Sep 24 05 7:44 PM Burgomaster Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I still find THE MUMMY a lot of fun -- an earnest and good-hearted throwback to kid matinee movies of the 50s and 60s. But VAN HELSING was not only not fun, it heralded some mutated view of entertainment -- almost as if it was a theme park attraction they suddenly decided to make into a move. Coming next: VAN HELSING VS. CAPT EO.
rvoyttbots	Re: VAN HELSING	#30	[-]
Nov 20 05 7:35 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I finally saw most of this film while channel surfing one weekend. This film had everything but the kitchen sink in it and that may have been in the lab. "Way too much money being spent for what ends up on the screen." I just had to mention this when I read this sentence. The HBO series ROME cost 100 million dollars and is one of the all time best TV shows but where is all that money being spent? Look at the arena sene in THE SPOILS episode as an example. A hundred extras in a stage size area.
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torch85	Re: VAN HELSING	#31	[-]
Nov 22 05 7:52 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think the films was alright....it wasnt great but....but it goes to show that the classic monsters have return nontheless they maybe revamped but theyre still the same and because of that film it made the new genration curious and soon that genration will discover the classics by themselves and learn more of the horro history of universal so it has its ups , its downs but it hauls in new genrations to come too keep them alive forever.....so we shouldnt worry of them dying out because----the classic monsters shall always be with us. in our nightmares.
Penny Dreadful	Re: VAN HELSING	#32	[-]
Dec 16 05 1:29 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	When I first heard that they were making a movie about Van Helsing, I was ecstatic. I thought to myself, "What an awesome idea! Van Helsing should have his own movie!" In my opinion, the character of Van Helsing (in the book and films) is just as cool a character as Dracula. I also feel the "Van Helsing" archetype is very important to the world of monsterdom and horror. Needless to say, I couldn't wait until this mysterious "Van Helsing" movie hit the screen. Little did I realize the horrible disappointment I was in for. The film was just a depressing mess. I was hoping for an atmospheric horror film, and got an overblown, badly executed action film. While Hugh Jackman is certainly easy on the eyes, he didn't have that brilliant, wise, determined Van Helsing quality I wanted to see. He was just another action hero fighting stupid CGI monsters and doing battle with Dracula's "eggs." Sigh. What could have been.... On a related note, I heard the animated prequel with Hyde is better but I haven't seen it.
BijouBob8mm	Re: VAN HELSING	#33	[-]
Dec 19 05 5:07 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The animated prequel develops its story structure along the lines of the animated Batman series of the 1990s, and was directed by Sharon Bridgeman, who had been a storyboard artist on the animated SPAWN. There are worse ways to spend 25 minutes. I have mixed feelings about the VAN HELSING feature. There were things I liked (the overall look, the music, etc.), but there were things that just seemed too loose or unnecessary. First of all, vampires laying egg sacs seemed a bit much. Then, the idea of the Frankenstein monster being needed as part of the process to electrically activate the eggs seemed a bit forced, as if they had to find some way to justify having the monster in there. And there seemed to be little to really justify the inclusion of the Wolf Man, either. Like one of the later entries in the Batman feature film franchise, it seemed like it tried to cram too many characters and concepts into one film to ever really have time to develop any of them properly.
Dr Borgo	Re: VAN HELSING	#34	[-]
Dec 19 05 10:43 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Maybe we will get a remake of this movie from a better director someday.
BijouBob8mm	Re: VAN HELSING	#35	[-]
Dec 20 05 2:19 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Given the overall reaction to the film, I guess we won't be seeing a franchise, but I think the basic concept behind the character of Van Helsing (as shown here) could have been developed into something. In the meantime, there is talk of bringing Robert E. Howard's "Solomon Kane" to the screen. If so, that's probably about as close as we come to seeing a swashbuckling opponent of the occult.
Count Crooklock	oh , god.	#36	[-]
Jan 11 06 6:57 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	i can't really add much more to the previous comments , but this movie was so bad it made me ache. Sommers says he loves the old classics , then insults them with this dross. how could there be a franchise ? he tried to cram every horror element and special effect into 2 hrs to the detriment of the story. it was shockingly bad (as was most of the cgi) worst bit ? catching the syringe (cringeworthy) seeing some early shots (castle's dracula , valerius , frankenstien) i was really excited about it , but i'll now refuse to watch anything associated with Stephen Sommers. you blew it fella , big time.
BijouBob8mm	Re: oh , god.	#37	[-]
Jan 11 06 7:09 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* how could there be a franchise ? he tried to cram every horror element and special effect into 2 hrs to the detriment of the story. If there's a chance to make some $$$, Hollywood would find a way. Had the film done big box office, Sommers might have pitted his Van Helsing against his mummy in a future film. Then, too, there could have been a prequel, giving the backstory between Van Helsing and Dracula's former encounter, since the Count's comment indicates he and Van Helsing had crossed paths before (even if V.H. can't recall moments from his own past).
skelton knaggs	sommer Bummer	#38	[-]
Jan 17 06 12:07 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Steven Sommers should be tied down and forced to watch "Van Helsing" for 72 straight hours..that should be punishment enough....Then again maybe we're letting him off easy.
DonM435	Re: I finally saw Van Helsing............	#39	[-]
Jan 17 06 12:37 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	. . . and you have my sympathies. Wretched excuse for a film.
Imhoteps Ashes	Re: I finally saw Van Helsing............	#40	[-]
Jan 19 06 8:02 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	If anything, VAN HELSING will turn off the younger generation regarding the true classics. Teenage movie watchers are a brainless bunch on the whole (not all of them), with no perception of quality in cinema. You're likely to find a LORD OF THE RINGS film wedged next to FREDDY GOT FINGERED in one of their "top ten" lists. "Hideous Half-Man, Half-Beast Who Terrorized Millions!" - Tagline, WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935)
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I finally saw Van Helsing............