'The Wolfman'

'The Wolfman' (R) **1/2

Writers: Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self based on Curt Siodmak's 1941 screenplay
Director: Joe Johnston
Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Geraldine Chaplin, Art Malik

We have come a long way in the special effects department when it comes to something like "The Wolfman", a serviceable but not surprising monster movie. Back in 1941 the chills and thrills were there but the transformation of man into wolfman was a little rough. Back in 1941 though the scares and suspense were fresh and in this new version there are moments that make you jump but the people I was with laughed more at the cool be headings and gory killings. This movie delivers the bloody goods even though when there are no killings and wolfman the movie is a little bit of a snooze. We have the one son to Sir John Talbot played by Benicio Del Toro who comes home after his brother is killed to comfort his father and his brother's fiancee played service ably by Emily Blunt. Del Toro is okay in the title role but when he is not the wolfman he comes off as dull and methody. Anthony Hopkins is in another movie entirely and I liked his movie better. His performance is a little jokey with funny asides when the rest of the cast is all serious. Besides the gory kills which are done in a fast paced, fun way the movie is too faithful to the 1941 film. I needed more spontaneity even though I appreciate that the movie didn't come off as unintentionally funny. I love the set design and photography and Rick Baker who does the makeup and transformation scenes is a master at this sort of thing and it has gotten better. Maybe the special effects are too good and has robbed the movie of old fashioned thrills and suspense. I like the energy of the killings and that the movie doesn't hold back on the gore. I also like Hugo Weaving as a Scotland Yard inspector and he plays a sinister jerk well. I just wasn't surprised at what happens but for a schlocky gore fest it's not bad. I think two better films about wolves are fresher and more imaginative. They are 1981's "Wolfen" with Albert Finney and Gregory Hines and 1981's "The Howling" with more great Rick Baker makeup. They are cheesier but a little more loose. If you like gore and tasty killings you will like this though just don't expect anything new.