To beast or not to beast
The manbeast is on the loose.
(Universal Pictures)
"The Wolfman"
Running time: 103 minutes
MPAA rating: R (bloody horror violence, gore)
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Release the movie-going hounds, "The Wolfman" is a howling success!
Though director Joe Johnston and a couple of screenwriters tweak the characters and story of the classic horror-thriller some, make no mistake, "The Wolfman" spills blood all over the Victorian moors as loving homage to "The Wolf Man" of 1941.
Old school is definitely the way to go when resurrecting the furry manbeast from hell and, of course, the Universal Pictures vaults.
When the moon is full and a transformation from man to manbeast is in order, this "Wolfman" does it -- for the most part -- the old fashioned way. Rick Baker's hairy, bone-expanding make-up and prosthetics prove effective when the moon glow summons.
Oscar winners Benicio Del Toro ("Traffic") and Anthony Hopkins ("The Silence of the Lambs") go at it as creepy father and prodigal son.
Sir John Talbot (Hopkins) and son Lawrence (Del Toro) have been estranged for many years. But when Lawrence's son Ben goes missing and ends up a bloody mess in a road ditch, Lawrence doesn't just return home, he vows to get to the bottom of things.
That's a noble gesture, of course, but there is a fair maiden involved. Gwen (Emily Blunt, recently on screen in "The Young Victoria"), Ben's former fiancée, looks longingly into Lawrence's eyes and wants some answers.
What man wouldn't venture into the woods at night to take on a beast's fury when persuaded by a beautiful woman? Well, probably quite a few, but there's no time to get into that now.
"The Wolfman" follows monster-thriller etiquette common to vampire flicks, plodding zombie adventures and, of course, werewolf yarns. Once-bitten , Lawrence tries to will his ungodly transformation away. To no avail, I'm afraid. Actually, we wouldn't have much of a horror flick if he was able to pull off the self-cure.
Instead, Lawrence -- fighting his maddening curse all the way -- ravages the 1890 countryside just like the other beast that came before. Not much mystery there. Veteran fans of the grisly genre won't be surprised much when it comes to story.
The real thrill here is the dramatic bite Johnston (who directed "Jumanji," "Hidalgo" and "Jurassic Park III") creates with an eerie tone, good acting and a terrific bone-chilling score by Danny Elfman ("Men in Black," "Good Will Hunting").
Generally, I hate it when modern filmmakers tinker with classics. These filmmakers and actors come to honor what came before, however, not to burn it down and start over.
"The Wolfman" is hair-raising, bloody fun that really knows how to release the beast.
Bring a silver bullet just in case.
Though director Joe Johnston and a couple of screenwriters tweak the characters and story of the classic horror-thriller some, make no mistake, "The Wolfman" spills blood all over the Victorian moors as loving homage to "The Wolf Man" of 1941.
Old school is definitely the way to go when resurrecting the furry manbeast from hell and, of course, the Universal Pictures vaults.
When the moon is full and a transformation from man to manbeast is in order, this "Wolfman" does it -- for the most part -- the old fashioned way. Rick Baker's hairy, bone-expanding make-up and prosthetics prove effective when the moon glow summons.
Oscar winners Benicio Del Toro ("Traffic") and Anthony Hopkins ("The Silence of the Lambs") go at it as creepy father and prodigal son.
Sir John Talbot (Hopkins) and son Lawrence (Del Toro) have been estranged for many years. But when Lawrence's son Ben goes missing and ends up a bloody mess in a road ditch, Lawrence doesn't just return home, he vows to get to the bottom of things.
That's a noble gesture, of course, but there is a fair maiden involved. Gwen (Emily Blunt, recently on screen in "The Young Victoria"), Ben's former fiancée, looks longingly into Lawrence's eyes and wants some answers.
What man wouldn't venture into the woods at night to take on a beast's fury when persuaded by a beautiful woman? Well, probably quite a few, but there's no time to get into that now.
"The Wolfman" follows monster-thriller etiquette common to vampire flicks, plodding zombie adventures and, of course, werewolf yarns. Once-bitten , Lawrence tries to will his ungodly transformation away. To no avail, I'm afraid. Actually, we wouldn't have much of a horror flick if he was able to pull off the self-cure.
Instead, Lawrence -- fighting his maddening curse all the way -- ravages the 1890 countryside just like the other beast that came before. Not much mystery there. Veteran fans of the grisly genre won't be surprised much when it comes to story.
The real thrill here is the dramatic bite Johnston (who directed "Jumanji," "Hidalgo" and "Jurassic Park III") creates with an eerie tone, good acting and a terrific bone-chilling score by Danny Elfman ("Men in Black," "Good Will Hunting").
Generally, I hate it when modern filmmakers tinker with classics. These filmmakers and actors come to honor what came before, however, not to burn it down and start over.
"The Wolfman" is hair-raising, bloody fun that really knows how to release the beast.
Bring a silver bullet just in case.
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