I loved the Mummy remake -- a textbook on how to do this kind of thing right.  There was a real Sax Rohmer feel that fitted the material perfectly.  It is infinitely better than the Hammer film (and, indeed, the Universal sequels).  I only wish the follow-ups were as good -- sadly, they were not. 

Van Helsing, on the other hand, is dreck.  But, I would remind us all that the Universal monster rallies -- House of Frankensten/Dracula -- are exceptionally bad films themselves.  This doesn't 'excuse' Van Helsing, but it does put things in perspective.....