Fiction vs. Fiction: Van Helsing (2004)

 A Film that I once saw in Theaters in 2004, bought a $1 copy about year ago and finally decided to watch in 2023.

I also read the Book!

Did I waste my time?  Let's find out in another Fiction vs. Fiction...

***VS***

What's the Same?

The Plot is pretty much all there.  Nothing is actually cut that appears int the Film.

They pretty much just either added stuff OR included stuff that was cut from the original Script.

I don't exactly have said Script lying around, you know.

What's Different?

When you turn a Book into a Film, you have to cut corners.
When you turn a Film into a Book, you add them.

In this case, the Book spends about 20 Pages giving you Dr. Frankenstein's Backstory, why he works for Dracula and how he manages to succeed before the Villagers arrive.

In the Film, they cut all of that crap.  Storm the Castle!

A sad omission next. 

At the end of the London Scene, the Book has a hunted Van Helsing accidentally scare a kid when fleeing.  Too much Character, so cut that, Film!

One of the more random switches here.

In the Book, we see the Scene where Beckinsale's Brother seemingly dies at the hands/claws of a Werewolf and the Priest mentions the whole 'she's the last one left' thing to Van Helsing.

In the Film, he meets the Priest and THEN the Scene happens.  Since he's not a Fortune Teller, the line is cut in the Film.

Also in the Book, Van Helsing knocks out Beckinsale (to keep her safe at home) and she has a dream/flashback to when she saw her Father and Brother stop a Werewolf.

In the Film, she just wakes up.

To be fair, the 5-page section is redundant- since it is just about how her Brother will do anything to save her...which he just did 10 minutes ago.

A bit of cinematic laziness is up next.

In both the Book and Film, they find Adam/The Monster late in the Story and knock him out.

In the Book, we learn how they transported him to a Carriage.

In the Film, they just wipe and boom he's there.

That...works?

In the Book, an entranced Beckinsale dances with Dracula before his last remaining Bride (Aleera) cuts in and taunts her for a bit.

Dracula takes her back and goes to turn her, where Van Helsing swings in for the save.

In the Film, the whole Subplot of Aleera being a bit jealous of Beckinsale and this whole interaction is gone.

A random as hell change next.

In the Book, they go to escape out a Window, but a voice in his head (from his past) warns Van Helsing to go to the NEXT window instead.

That confusing bit is gone in the Film.

The only other change of note is a minor one.

The final showdowns are presented in a different order in the Book.  Does that come down to Editing?

Probably.

Regardless, you get the same thing in the end...for better or worse.

Final Thoughts

The Book is a fine way to enjoy the Story...assuming you do, of course.  I was not a fan in 2004.
I'm far less offended now- having seen far worse and sillier Horror Films in the 19 years since.

That said, the Film is a real visual spectacle and MOST of the CGI still looks pretty good.  

So, in other words, you could read the novelization of, for instance, X-Men: The Last Stand (which I have- weird humble brag) and get the same Story...or you could just watch the Film in presumably less time and at least get to see Hugh Jackman.

In fairness, the Book offers more characterization for most of the players, so it is superior in that regard.

That said, why read about *this* when you can see it?

Bonus note here- the whole Plot of the DTV Film involving Van Helsing saving Queen Victoria from Mr. Hyde (who was also Jack the Ripper FYI) is NOT in the Book.  See that here.