The Wolfman (2010) Review by BlackTequilaKiss

The Wolf Man (2009) Movie Details: DVD, Theatre Date, News, Trailers & More

The Wolfman (2010) Review

Written by: BlackTequilaKiss

Remakes are a tricky animal aren't they? What works for one doesn't always necessarily work for another, when a remake does well it's heard across the world, when it falls flat it's bound to dusty confines.

Praise must go to The Wolfman which sticks rigidly true to the original but manages to breath life of its own. It's not cliché bound at every turn, it pulls in the shocks and has a cast that rises to the occasion.

Yes, The Wolfman, is one of the better horror movies and remakes of this year so far. You will be surprised...

PLOTLINE:

A nobleman, Lawrence Talbot, returns to his old family estate when news spreads that his brother has disappeared. Trying to keep old ties, he reunites with his estranged father and sets out on a quest to seek the truth of what happened to his brother. All too soon the mystery is solved, it's then Talbot realises the horrific destiny that lays in front of him. With a Scotland Yard inspector of the name Aberline on his trail, he must do what he can to change the future once and for all with Gwen Conliffe helping him every stage of the way.

I have heard some negative things on the movie in circles, more notably the depressing nature the film takes at times but in my opinion, it is served to make The Wolfman a more darker film.

It, inevitably, has like many films some flaws that serve it less than well but when it comes to crunch this movie has plenty of golden moments, a wonderful cast at the helm and a score that does not disappoint.

The main thing to note of The Wolfman is Benicio Del Toro who carries the weight of the movie on his shoulders. He is a refined actor who has not had a chance to shine and whilst I do not think this is penultimate moment, I do believe he did a good job with the character he was resigned to.

Talbot (Del Toro) does not talk a lot in the movie, he has a fair share of lines but much of his acting is down to how he portrays himself without needing words and much like other actors, he manages to voice feelings in a single bound without a single line. Some of his best moments in the film are served when he carries the anguished; confused look. He managed the role well and his method of acting when he became the Wolfman is spellbinding to say the least.

Thankfully he does have supporting him: Anthony Hopkins who plays his father, Sir John Talbot, a fantastic actor who did not fall at the hurdle. He too managed to have a certain charm throughout the movie and was as much a joy to watch as Del Toro.

However there was one actress I felt was flawed ever so and that was Emily Blunt (Gwen Conliffe), whilst her acting was wonderful in some parts and that is a massive amount of respect given the talent she worked beside, I did feel there were moments when she pulled back and didn't try so hard. Moments when she should have carried a more fearful look, instead seemed more resigned and it was hard to care for her character when the entire heart and soul was not in progress.

I loved the cinematography! From the dense, dark forests to the misty eyed view of a quiet London it all looked grandeur and magnificent. The effects of this movie really can be felt through the scenes focused on the forest. Rolling off the mist within the forest looked beautiful, shrouded in mystery and kept the viewer guessing as the roll of the dice on what the next scene offered, kept the brisk pace up. It helps that the camera work was elegantly captured, not only keeping attention to the main article but also referring to the more subtle moments.

London itself has never looked so transfixing but in the eyes of the gloom, you cannot help wondering what lays in the mist. Truly done to spectacular effect.

Unfortunately this does bring me to one aspect I disliked of the movie greatly. The flashbacks. When Talbot has a past moment he remembers, a memory that he cannot erase, the blur and pace of the flashback is unappealing. It goes by fast and some of what you see makes little sense, some moments alone seemed to be more about scaring the audience as opposed to having any real meat and it ruins a little of the magic but that is my only annoyance at the movie.

One thing to be aware of...

While there is some fantastic gore, quite a bit is also held back. When they could have gone for the jugular, they instead opted for the other route. For every bloody moment, there's the other moments that are more about the chase rather than the kill. It doesn't ruin the movie at all and what you see of the blood, guts generally makes up for the moments when it falls back. The transformation? What can I say except I was pleasantly surprised. It's the one thing where the CGI was most adapted and whilst it's not the best transformation ever seen, it's not bad and it's not riddled with 'I can see the effects!' moments. It held up in a movie where if it hadn't everything could have easily fallen apart.

Danny Elfman's score suited the movie, originally I remember he was to be taken off and replaced, I would like to state for the record I am glad this did not happen. Whilst it is distinctly different, it's got that thrilling pace, that gentle lull and the tender embrace to be heard over and over without wearing thin. When it needed to supply the fear, it did so and it suited a movie that was considerably dark.

But the main thing that matters is the special effects. Hallelujah! Whilst paying the greatest respect to the original and it shows, the effects whilst updated do not hamper the film. The wolfman looked nicely done and obviously paid great homage to the original, the gore looks fantastic, not a tweak of CGI in sight. All the more bloody effects are thoroughly practical and better for it. There are some very sweet moments of cascading blood, decapitation, throats slit, bodies sliced almost in half that look fantastic. Rick Baker evidently worked to the bone to make the gore realistic and it shows.

I won't speak anymore on the movie I think everything I have said is enough, all that matters is, is this worth seeing? Yes. It's a movie I know I could watch repeatedly and it's got enough elements to keep it interesting.

It does take a while to get to the crunch of the movie but the charm of the actors, the dialogue and the stunning scenery keep the eyes firmly transfixed. The ending certainly paves the way for a possible sequel but I will say try and see this in the cinema to get the full effect.

Worth admission, a tightly paced film. Worth the hype, The Wolfman visually is brilliant and emotionally charged. Take a bite out of this film! 8/10.

This is a community member review and not a staff member review. We appreciate and respect the opinions of our readers and are gratefull that they took the time to contribute it.