In 2003 Warner Brothers released The Animatrix to video. A collection of animated shorts revolving around The Matrix universe created by the Wachowski Brothers, it tied-in with the trilogy of films and in turn gave Warner a little bit more money from the franchise.

Taking a cue from that release, Universal Pictures brings to us Van Helsing: The London Assignment. More of a promotional piece of fluff than an actual useful tie-in to the big-budget Hollywood stinker; this is still an okay, and quite brief, timewaster and proves that the Hugh Jackman played monster hunter works a little bit better as a cartoon character since the live-action movie was pretty much an overblown comic book.

Taking place before the beginning of the film this has Van Helsing being brought in to hunt down the person who's been killing young girls in London. Turns out it's the work of Mr. Hyde who is really just the monstrous version of meek Dr. Hyde. Seems our personality confused villain is killing the women in order to restore youth and beauty to Queen Victoria who he secretly has a crush on.

Maintaining the silly gadgets and tone of the movie this sports anime inspired animation that really isn't too bad despite the fact it looks a little limited in places. They've also managed to throw in a bit more graphic violence than the movie and there's a few quite good sequences (such as the one with the undead beefeaters being hacked and blown to bits) to chew on.

Van Helsing: The London Assignment might not add much to the story and it shouldn't be taken as much more than the cash-in it feels to be, but it's still better than than the groanable Van Helsing and it's over much quicker. Released within a week of Stephen Sommers' movie, Universal would also pull off the same stunt a month later (in June 2004) by releasing an animated tie-in to The Chronicles Of Riddick. (Chris Hartley, 8/7/05)

Directed By: Sharon Bridgeman.
Written By: Garfield Reeves-Stevens, Judith Reeves-Stevens.

Voices: Hugh Jackman, Robbie Coltrane, David Wenham, Tara Strong.