Video Reviews: 'Van Helsing,' 'Cinderella Story,' 'Garfield'

'Van Helsing' (PG-13) The stakes are high for writer-director Stephen Sommers' adventure-thriller "Van Helsing" and for all intents and purposes, he gives you everything you'd ever want out of a summer blockbuster movie release: a dashing leading man (Hugh Jackman) and gorgeous leading lady (Kate Beckinsale), fast and intense action, immense sets and knockout special effects.

But, if you're looking for in-depth character study in "Van Helsing," you'll have a hard time finding it. This movie is pure popcorn -- and it's drenched in butter with a little camp and melodrama sprinkled on top for good measure. Sure, it's not a perfect movie, but it still manages to be wildly entertaining - and a perfectly timed release for Halloween.

"Van Helsing" screams out of the gate with a spectacular homage to the Universal Studios classics of old, with a black and white scene that finds Dr. Frankenstein (Samuel West) bringing his monster (Shuler Hensley) to life in his castle. But that's where the classic monster movie sensibilities end and Sommers' re-imagination begins.

Van Helsing, played by the much-older Edward Van Sloan in the Bela Lugosi version of "Dracula," is now a handsome, thrill-seeking thirtysomething vampire hunter in Jackman. Aided by Transylvanian Princess Anna Valerious (Beckinsale) and gadget-savvy friar (David Wenham), Van Helsing has harrowing encounters with Dracula (a flamboyantly entertaining Richard Roxburgh), as well as the Wolf Man (Will Kemp), Frankenstein's monster (Shuler Hensley) and his own personal demons.

Much like his did with his "Mummy" movies, Sommers brings a sweeping sense of adventure to "Van Helsing." Of course, the dialogue becomes the victim as it does in most big-budget action films, but at least the characters are distinctive. In short, Jackman's charismatic, Beckinsale's a firecracker, and Wenham and Kevin J. O'Connor (playing Igor) are hilarious. As the monsters, Roxburgh, Kemp and Hensley are given the dose of humanity that made their classic Universal predecessors so unique.

While "Van Helsing" at its heart is an action-adventure, there are plenty of horror-inspired moments to go around. Providing the biggest scares are the beast incarnations of Dracula's brides, who give off a vibe similar to the creepiness of the Hammer Studios horror film genre. There's no question some scenes may be too intense for younger kids, especially with the brides and all other things winged and fanged.

DVD Features: Standout bonus materials on the disc include outtakes and interactive features including a virtual tour of Castle Dracula and a "You Are in the Movie!" segment, where a mini-camera peers in on scenes from an actor's vantage point. Other bonuses include production featurettes and commentary by Sommers, Roxburgh, Henley and Kemp. (Universal Studios Home Video)

'A Cinderella Story' (PG): Sure, it lacks the sharp wit of the "Shrek" movies, but that's not to say Hilary Duff's comedy romance "A Cinderella Story' isn't a satisfying addition to the burgeoning twisted fairy tale genre. Tailor-made for fans of the teen entertainer, it's a sweet, sensitive and --most importantly -- clean update of "Cinderella."

Duff plays Sam, an orphan left in the care of her self-obsessed stepmother Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge). Fiona fits the wicked stepmother role to perfection: she makes Sam sleep in the attic and wait hand-and-foot on her and Sam's wicked stepsisters (Andrea Avery and Madeline Zima). She even makes Sam scrub the floors of a diner Sam's father used to own.

Burdens aside, Sam at least has a loyal friend in her nerdy friend Carter (Dan Byrd) and a mysterious "Prince Charming" that she corresponds with on the Internet and through cell phone text messaging. The situation becomes complicated, though, when she finds out her prince is Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray), the star quarterback who seems to have it all. The problem is, she's afraid they're not compatible because of their social standings.

"A Cinderella Story" appears doomed at the start, as it quickly falls into predictable scenarios chock-full of stereotypical teen movie characters. But much like Cinderella undergoes changes, so does "A Cinderella Story," and it becomes funnier and more poignant as it moves along. It even manages to effectively address the harmful effects of peer pressure and importance of self-esteem.

The actors deliver as expected: Duff and Murray have good chemistry as the star-crossed couple and the under-appreciated Coolidge and Regina King -- who plays Sam's waitress friend and street-sassy "Fairy Godmother" Rhonda -- are wickedly funny. The biggest surprise of the movie is Byrd, who turns what could have been a cookie-cutter "nerd" role into a winning performance with a lot of heart.

DVD Features: Girls will like the "Cinderella Couture" segment that reveals the make-up and fashion sensibilities that went into the movie, but boys will likely find it a bore. Other features include screen tests, a music video by Duff and her sister Haley (a spirited remake of the Go-Go's hit "Out Lips Are Sealed"), deleted scenes and a chummy commentary track by Duff, Murray and other cast members. Duff also smartly takes an opportunity on the disc to shed light on her participation in the Kids With a Cause charity, which helps ill and disadvantaged children. (Warner Home Video).

'Garfield: The Movie' (PG): Sorry "Garfield" fans, but the movie version of the famous fat cat is far from purrrrr-fect.

Living a comfortable life with his owner, Jon (Breckin Meyer), Garfield (delightfully voiced by Bill Murray) enjoys all the food and television a couch potato could ever want. But his world is turned upside down when Jon falls for a veterinarian (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and ends up adopting a lovable, dancing dog named Odie.

While it's predictable, "Garfield" is a bad movie: For what it is, it's right on target with its intended audience. It's strictly intended for the 12-and-under set, where slapstick humor, brainless humans and -- of course -- multi-animal hijinks reign. There's really no clever humor to speak of that will appeal to adults, and fans of the comic strip character and its whimsical cartoon adaptation will likely be disappointed.

DVD Features: Audio commentary by director Peter Hewitt and producer John Davis, and more. (Fox Home Entertainment)