Van Helsing
Been to the cinema for the first time in far too long this evening, finally to see Van Helsing. I think the best way that I can describe it is that it's exactly what you'd expect it to be, neither better nor worse. Hugh Jackman does a sterling job of being dashing and iconic, and Kate Beckinsale does a sterling job of wearing a corset.
The effects are curiously ropey in places, considering director Stephen Somers was so aware of having been ridiculed over The Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns, but they mostly pass muster. The prologue, filmed in black and white and looking beautifully like a real old Universal horror movie, works especially well.
David Wenham does sterling work as the comedy sidekick, and most of the other performances are fine for what's needed of them. The only really odd note arises from the decision to have Richard Roxburgh play Dracula like Robert Helpmann essaying The Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
It's daft of course, but entertainingly so.
Cool trailers too: The Day After Tomorrow, the new Harry Potter, Spider-Man 2 and I, Robot, which I haven't heard much about in the way of buzz, but looks like what it is - A Will Smith Vehicle(™).