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Tomorrow When The War Began

While the action fares slightly better than character development; this absorbing blockbuster deserves to be a hit.

Furry Vengeance

Full of clunky CGI and uninspired performances, this film is completely devoid of humour and heart.

Going The Distance

While occasionally opting for cheap laughs, this romantic comedy is entertaining, warm and feels surprisingly rooted in real life.

The Kids Are All Right

Driven by excellent performances, this entertaining film provides a fresh view of modern family life.

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The Wolfman (Film)

by Anthony O'Connor | February 11, 2010 15:01 | Edited February 11, 2010 15:14

In the end, this feels like a missed opportunity with its by-the-numbers horror script and disaffected performances.

In the pantheon of cinematic monsters, werewolves are the B-listers. They shouldn't be. After all, what's more film-worthy than a man transforming into a beast?

 

Yet, for some reason, lycanthrope classics are thin on the ground. An American Werewolf in London, The Howling and Dog Soldiers being three of a very small number of notable exceptions.

 

The Wolfman (no space) is a remake of the 1941 classic The Wolf Man (with a space). Benicio Del Toro stars, backed by an extremely worthy cast including Sir Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving.

 

So far so good, right?

 

The story revolves around Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro) who returns to his creepy-looking family estate after his brother first vanishes and is subsequently found, ripped apart by some strange beast.

 

Lawrence decides to investigate this suspicious death, starting with the gypsies that have set up camp in the dark woods, and it is there that something bites him. Something hairy...

 

There's nothing howlingly awful about The Wolfman; it's more the sum of its average parts.

 

The script is ham-fisted and obvious, foreshadowing the various "twists" that occur throughout the overlong running time. The look is also too overtly dark and contrived to be taken as credible. The director (Johnston took over after Mark Romanek left due to "creative differences") looks like he's taking his cues from Tim Burton flicks like Sleepy Hollow or Sweeney Todd - but the actors are so flat that what should be a darkly exciting, bloody romp feels slow and tepid.

 

Finally, Rick Baker's special make-up effects look great close up but, typically, some genius decided a CGI transformation would be more effective, making the Wolfman's "curse" look like a hairy version of The Incredible Hulk.

 

There are a few nice splattery sequences and the film is not without its charms, but considering the vast potential and the talent involved, The Wolfman is average at best.