The Wolfman (2010)
2010
R
102 Minutes
This werewolf-themed horror film set in Victorian England centers on Lawrence Talbot, an American man who, upon a visit to London, gets bitten by a werewolf. Talbot had come to England to make amen...
User Review
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The Wolfman tamely howls in the full moonlight. Modernising Universal's classic monster movie was inevitable, with the likes of 'Frankenstein' and 'Dracula' garnering several adaptations over the last few decades. Fortunately, horror/monster films have evolved since the 1930s with many that illicit hair-raising thrills. Johnston's remake may have plenty of fur, but is absent of any suspense, ultimately leading to an immediately outdated adaptation. Lawrence, a veteran thespian, returns to his estate after acknowledging the death of a family member, whom of which was brutally attacked by a wolf-like creature. On the hunt to avenge his death, Lawrence soon comes across the beast and inadvertently succumbs to it.
The terms Lycanthropy, Werewolf and Wolfman have been used in many works of gothic horror. Take 'An American Werewolf in London' for example, or any of the 'Underworld' films. It's an incredibly accessible mythical creature that has been shown frequently in works of art. So what did Johnston do to reinvigorate the essence of fear for this beast? Nothing. And that is this film's biggest problem. Despite the excessive gore, furry costumes and Del Toro's melancholic central performance, Johnston was unable to produce any fear. Notably due to a script that is absent of any suspense, purely focusing on recreating the gothic atmosphere that the original excelled at as opposed to actually modernising the beastly tale. It's swamped in sweeping melodrama and brooding emotions for a story lacking in ferocity, that not even a silver comb could straighten out the script's follicles.
Hopkins gave a functional performance at best, but Blunt was terrible and Weaving was underused. The CGI transformation scenes and violent slashes acted as a detriment to the practical effects that were actually well utilised. Oh, and the werewolf galavanting around London in the open diminished the little induced horror that was remaining. Shame really, as Del Toro deserved better. I'd be more inclined to say that 'The Curse of the Wererabbit' was more chilling than this...0 member like this review.
