Jackman puts bite into his ‘Van Helsing’ :: Namibia Internet Gateway cc ::

Articles: Jackman puts bite into his ‘Van Helsing’

Posted by admin on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 06:25 AM

Dazzling special effects. A film steeped in atmosphere that transports moviegoers. Many fine performances. And, of course, Hugh Jackman, who in the title role in "Van Helsing" cements his place in the upper firmament of stardom.
Jackman’s character is far from the usual Van Helsing. He’s more warrior than scientist, and he is employed by a secret Vatican order, rather than being his own man. From Our Advertiser He’s sent to finish off the vampire Count Dracula, the bane of 400 years in Transylvania. With him goes Carl (marvelously amusing David Wenham), who, if this were a James Bond film, would be the equivalent of Desmond Llewellyn’s gadget weapon inventor. Carl is not brave, but he is in the movie not for valor but comedy. The last vestiges of a family continue to fight off Dracula, but it’s a losing cause. Velkan is turning into a werewolf, which leaves his sister, Anna, to deal with the count alone, so she welcomes Van Helsing. Stephen Sommers, the writer- director, deserves credit for making his characters more than cardboard cutouts. But, eventually, it becomes clear that Sommers has overstuffed his story, which means he has to spend too much time bringing it to an end. Sommers also wins praise for surrounding the charismatic Jackman with splendid actors, especially Richard Roxburgh, whose Dracula is at once scary and compelling. The lone exception is Kate Beckinsale, whose Slavic accent — or rather lack of it — ruins her performance. This reviewer’s favorite special effect was not the flying, nor Dracula’s nasty brides, nor their offspring, but Frankenstein peeling off the sides of his hideous head. It had to happen: Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen were the only teen stars who hadn’t made the crossover to films. "New York Minute" rectifies that gap with a comedy so stupid that it wisely is played at fast-forward speed. Jane (Ashley) is the family’s mother figure, an A-plus student hoping for a scholarship to Oxford to get away from twin Roxy (Mary-Kate), her exact opposite. Yet on the day when she is to deliver a speech to win a scholarship, everything goes haywire. The twins wind up in New York, trying to avoid a ring of piracy thieves but saddled with a dog that has swallowed a microchip with the data the thieves need. Along the way, they also find two boyfriends; a senator who loves the dog more than her son; a commuter who, despite his many run-ins with the girls, emerges as a help mate; and a truant officer (the always hilarious Eugene Levy). Yes, this is another week where a dog and his poop and toilet jokes are deemed essentials to the success of the movie. What imagination by writers Emily Cox (also credited with the story), Adam Cooper and Bill Collage. Say this for the Olsens: They are bright, energetic and unflagging in their determination to please. Plus, they are willing to run through the streets of Manhattan in a towel and bathrobe.

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