Reviewed by Daniel Rutledge
Werewolf movies have a pretty bad track record. Horror fans will assure you that The Howling, Dog Soldiers and An American Werewolf in London are the exceptions to the rule – the rule being that generally if there’s a werewolf in a movie, the movie sux.
Of course, many would argue that the quintessential werewolf film is 1941’s The Wolf Man, a film that has now been remade by Universal Pictures with Benicio Del Toro filling the boots of Lon Chaney Jr.
I’m pleased to report that they’ve done a bloody good job. The Wolfman exceeds expectations and delivers the goods – it’s a fun, thrill-filled movie.
The story follows Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro), a nobleman who returns to his wealthy family’s estate after his brother is savagely killed. As he helps his father (Hopkins) and brother’s widow (Emily Blunt) uncover the truth – which is of course that a werewolf is to blame – a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector (Hugo Weaving) enters the scene. Shortly after Lawrence survives an attack from the beast, he discovers that he and his family are the victims of a shocking betrayal. As he deals with the horror of becoming a werewolf himself, he also embarks on a deadly revenge mission.
Despite the, at times, quite funny, campy old school style script, the actors deliver each line with deadpan seriousness. This is great – the audience can enjoy the film how they’ve always meant to enjoy horror, and don’t have to laugh at lame jokes. Weaving is especially enjoyable to watch, and Blunt and Hopkins both also deliver fantastic performances. Del Toro in the lead is fine and watchable, but nothing special.
When I said they’d done a bloody good job of this remake, I meant it. The bloody bits are very bloody – if you don’t want to see limbs and heads flying about the place, you should steer clear. However, if you’re a fan of the horror genre, you will delight in the fact that they haven’t held back. It’s basically modern slasher-style gore placed well in a classic monster movie. Brilliant.
The CGI is generally very good, but it does let the film down a couple of times. These moments are generally when the werewolves are running on all four legs. Your eye will immediately recognise it as a computer made image, distinctly different from how animals actually move. Otherwise the effects are marvellous.
The climactic fight scene is a little disappointing and what happens at the very end of the film is really quite clichéd. But seeing as this is a remake of a 1940s horror, these flaws are quite acceptable and very much to be expected.
Ignore the recent rubbish that has tried to destroy werewolf mythology - that means anything with a title that includes Twilight, Van Helsing, Underworld, Harry Potter or True Blood. For a true, and truly fun, big screen werewolf experience, head along to The Wolfman. It’s awesome.
Four stars - howwwwwl!
The Wolfman
:: Director: Joe Johnston
:: Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, Hugo Weaving
:: Running Time: 102 mins
:: Rating: R16 - Horror Scenes & Violence
:: Release Date: February 11, 2010
:: Trailer: Click here
