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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Van Helsing
    3-Disc Special Edition
    Genre: Horror

    Reviewed In Issue 89 (Oct 2004) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham, Shuler Hensley, Elena Anaya, Will Kemp, Kevin J. O

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 4.5
    DD Sound Rating: 5
    DTS Sound Rating: NR
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 2.5
    Internet Links


    Special Features
    The single-disc and Disc One of the three-disc Ultimate Collector


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 26139
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Rating Reason):
    (Retail Price): $59.98
    (DVD Type): Three-Disc Set: DVD-9 & DVD-5
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 132
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2004
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 10/19/04
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Stephen Sommers
    (Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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      DVD Picture Information

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      DVD Sound Information

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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Summoned to Transylvania, Gabriel Van Helsing (Jackman) comes to the aid of Anna Valerious (Beckinsale) to help in her family

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD picture is extremely stylized to visually support the period and genre of the story. The opening scene sets the stage with black-and-white images that introduce the viewers to the monsters and characters in the movie. The dark, desaturated imagery perfectly complements this vampires and werewolves tale, with lots of cold bluish-gray exteriors and warm firelit interiors. Fleshtones are mostly, and appropriately pale, and deep bluish blacks hide the unknown horrors in the shadows. Speaking of shadows, delineation is excellent with just enough visual information in the darkest scenes for heightened suspense and the occasional

    Soundtrack:
    This DVD soundtrack more than makes up for the lackluster theatrical run of Van Helsing. This is an outstanding Dolby

    This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
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    Travis Bishop
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