Van Helsing Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Van Helsing" delivers a visually captivating experience reminiscent of a non-stop sugar rush, with an exceptional 1080p/AVC encoded transfer. The film's opening sequence, set in Dr. Frankenstein's castle, is presented in stark and stunning monochrome. Black levels are deep and inky, maintaining consistency throughout the film, while the whites are boldly overblown, providing a striking gradation. The rest of the film benefits from stable and saturated colors, including icy blues in the Transylvanian village, warm yellows at Dracula's masquerade ball, and the velvety crimson of Kate Beckinsale's cloak. An ultra-thin layer of grain serves as a testament to the film’s original cinematography, assuring no overzealous digital noise reduction.

In terms of technical prowess, this true-to-source transfer shines in visual clarity and detail. The texture work is impressive, with intricate fine details evident in both scenes and characters, maximizing facial details and textures. Black and white segments particularly stand out with optimal black levels and perfectly contrasting whites. Instances of crushed shadow delineation appear occasional and seem intentional rather than faults of the transfer. Despite the transfer exposing the dated nature of some CG elements—making altered vistas and creatures feel out of place—it provides a clean and sharp overall image with a compelling sense of depth. Fans and newcomers alike will find the presentation engaging and visually fulfilling, as it retains the filmic quality that adds to its nostalgic charm.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on the Blu-ray release of "Van Helsing" is a significant upgrade from its previous HD-DVD version, delivering a truly immersive auditory experience. The audio landscape is rich with directionality and ambient soundscapes, from the crackling electrical surges of Dr. Frankenstein's apparatus to the swooshing demon wings and rolling thunder. The rear channels are almost constantly engaged, enveloping the listener in an omnipresent soundfield that heightens the movie's atmospheric tension. Alan Silvestri's orchestral score permeates the mix, contributing to the film's grandiose tonal atmosphere.

However, while the audio track is impressive in its scope and detail, it sometimes struggles with balance. The booming LFE channel, while contributing to a visceral experience, can often be overwhelming, sometimes burying dialogue and higher-frequency sounds in powerful low-end rumbles. This imbalance necessitates frequent adjustments of the volume, especially during shifts between chaotic action sequences and quieter dialogue scenes. Overall, the audio presentation significantly enhances the film's impact, despite the occasional inconsistency in volume levels that could detract from an otherwise exceptional listening experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Van Helsing" includes a robust selection of extra features that dive deep into various aspects of the film's production and provide a multi-faceted perspective on its creation. Highlights include two audio commentaries—one with Director Stephen Sommers and Editor/Producer Bob Ducsay that is both enthusiastic and grounded, and another with actors Richard Roxburgh, Shuler Hensley, and Will Kemp that exudes camaraderie and charm. Extensive making-of documentaries like “Van Helsing: The Story, The Life, The Legend” offer detailed insights into the film's special effects and thematic elements. U-Control and other interactive features add layers to the viewing experience but may not appeal to all viewers. Special effects processes, set explorations, musical scoring insights, and entertaining bloopers round out a comprehensive and engaging package for fans.

Extras included in this disc:

Commentary by Director Stephen Sommers and Editor/Producer Bob Ducsay: Enthusiastic and insightful remarks on CGI versus practical effects.

Commentary with Richard Roxburgh, Shuler Hensley, and Will Kemp: Lively and humorous banter among the film’s main monsters.

Van Helsing: The Story, The Life, The Legend: An extensive making-of documentary covering all aspects of production.

U-Control: Enables picture-in-picture access to additional behind-the-scenes content.

Track the Adventure: Exploration of key sets and locations.

Bringing the Monsters to Life: An insight into the CGI process used in the film.

You Are in the Movie!: Set perspectives from crew cameras.

The Music of Van Helsing: Composer Alan Silvestri discusses scoring the film.

Bloopers: A humorous reel of outtakes from the filming process.

Dracula's Lair is Transformed: Time-lapse footage of set construction and teardown.

The Masquerade Ball Scene Unmasked: Behind-the-scenes look at creating the elaborate ball scene.

The Art of Van Helsing: A gallery of film artwork set to music.

Monster Eggs: On-set candid moments.

"Van Helsing" is an ambitious yet flawed endeavor by director Stephen Sommers, attempting to unify classic monster legends within a singular narrative structure. The film stars Hugh Jackman as the titular monster hunter, tasked by the Vatican to vanquish Count Dracula, played by Richard Roxburgh. The screenplay ambitiously interweaves Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and the Wolf Man, envisioning a cohesive "monsterverse." However, this effort largely falls prey to its own grandiosity, with character development and plot coherence sacrificed for relentless CGI-driven spectacle and convoluted exposition.

From its onset, "Van Helsing" strives to impress with high-octane action sequences and over-the-top visual effects. The narrative launches with Dr. Frankenstein bringing his creation to life, only to have Dracula reveal his scheme to use the monster for his own ghastly purposes. The pace remains frenetic as Van Helsing confronts a series of infamous creatures, all while accompanied by Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale) and his gadget-wielding assistant Friar Carl (David Wenham). Nevertheless, the constant bombardment of CGI and action detracts from the story’s potential depth, transforming it into a largely hollow spectacle.

Performances are a mixed bag. While Shuler Hensley delivers a notable portrayal of Frankenstein's Monster with an operatic flair, and Roxburgh’s Dracula exudes a preening menace, Jackman’s Van Helsing feels disappointingly uninspired. This is exacerbated by shallow characterization and a screenplay dominated by expository dialogue. Despite a budget that allows for technical marvels, "Van Helsing" ultimately feels like a series of strung-together set pieces rather than a coherent and engaging narrative. The film exemplifies summer blockbuster excess, where visual extravaganza overshadows the substantive elements that traditionally make monster movies enduring classics.

The Blu-ray release of "Van Helsing" presents an intriguing paradox for home viewers. On one hand, the film, directed by Stephen Sommers, is juvenile in its execution, characterized by non-stop spectacle and a sandbox-style narrative where characters are manipulated like playthings. This approach may entertain, but for many, it will leave a desire for a more substantial cinematic experience, especially with a runtime exceeding two hours. In its fervent attempt to be grandiose and action-packed, "Van Helsing" becomes bloated and occasionally silly, falling short of the epic status it seemingly aims for.

However, it's impossible to ignore the strengths of this Blu-ray edition in the realms of audio and visual quality. The high definition transfer brings out the film's visual grandeur, making each scene pop with clarity. The audio landscape is equally impressive, immersing the viewer with a dynamic sound experience that enhances the numerous action sequences. For audiophiles and visual enthusiasts, the technical presentation alone might make this Blu-ray release worth considering for purchase.

In conclusion, while "Van Helsing" may not deliver the narrative depth or seriousness one might expect from a summer blockbuster, its A/V package on Blu-ray is undeniably handsome, making it a potential pick for A/V aficionados. For most others, the recommendation would lean towards a rental rather than an outright purchase unless a visually rich, albeit shallow, movie experience aligns perfectly with your tastes.