Howling, Growling and Murder in Victorian England

Benicio Del Toro is cast perfectly as Lawrence Talbot, the tortured soul, in this 1940s remake of the film that launched Lon Chaney Jr. into monster stardom.  Staying true to its original tale, the updatedWolfman has the advantage of CGI, earsplitting sound, as well as visually astute cinematography. Using a palate of gloomy grays, shadowy blues and murky green hues, the film sets the perfect tone for this 1891 Victorian England horror tale. Oh—and let’s not forget the continual foggy days or misty nights. A strong supporting cast of Emily Blunt (Young Victoria 2009) and Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins set the stage for a horrifying blast into the moonlight monstrous supernatural past.

The transformation of Talbot into the Wolfman is worth the price of admission alone. It’s terrifying and bone chilling movie making at its best. The Wolfman is not for the squeamish as his bloody teeth, razor sharp claws and overall bushy man-wolf look are extremely frightening. Without a doubt, this is a bona-fide horror film filled with majorbloody sequences of gruesome situations that are added whenever possible. Extreme bloody violence is the norm in Wolfman.

If....you can get past all the blood and gore; the story is fairly simple and easily predictable as it doesn’t stray far from the first tale. Lawrence Talbot returns home as brother (Ben) has been missing and eventually turns up dead. He’s been killed by some strange creature. Ben’s fiancée (Emily Blunt) is distraught, and his father, Sir John Talbot, is simply amused by his return. The setting for this drama is a large English estate that is full of cobwebs, underground caverns and just enough tall tapered candles to project those shadowy figures against the grungy walls. 

Eventually Lawrence decides to take matters into his own hands and investigates his brother’s death. Against the wishes of his father, he’s out and about during the infamous full moon visiting gypsies in a nearby camp. And why is he visiting gypsies? Mainly because we all know that gypsies are mysterious and are converse in ancient folklores. During his visit, the camp is raided by a strange wolf creature and Lawrence is bitten. Well...that’s doom and gloom as during the next full moon, Lawrence will join the creature by turning into a wolf and will go on a bloody killing spree that was just witnessed in the camp.

Emily Blunt returns to help care for Lawrence after his attack, but it’s too late as the townspeople know that he’s been bitten and know that he will certainly come after them next. Lawrence has major problems being around his (almost) sister-in-law and tells her to leave as she is in danger. The remainder of the film shows the depressing situation that Lawrence has gotten himself into with no obvious way out. We also find out that his mother was also killed by a wolf demon and start to connect the dots.

Near the end of the film, there is a fight with two howling werewolves and we’re still in the dark as to why all of this is happening. The script has gaps and doesn’t address too many looming questions. I would have appreciated knowing more about the brother and his diary that was found, but not looked into. The gypsies were very vague and offered no help. Mainly they added to the confusion. And what about those silver bullets? Why are those supposed to work in the killing of a werewolf? And why didn’t we hear my favorite catchy tune ‘Werewolves of London’? Oh—never-mind, I know the answer to that one as this film is so not about having fun.

Bottom line—If  you’re into horror films, then here’s a winner!

Sarah Adamson 2010 February