Wolfman: Yay or Nay?

[GAKENSTEIN]

Took my 15 year old boy to see it yesterday and it was FUN!  Good atmosphere and scares  with superb makeup fx, soild performances.  (Hopkins chewed the scenery a bit , but that's what he does these days.)  Bravo to the suits at Universal for honoring the spirit of their classic monster movies.

Del Toro surely does evoke Chaney Jr., I only wish he was a tad more likeable.  I know he's from a highly dysfunctional family (to say the least), so he has real issues, but his fall into tragedy isn't as affecting to me as I'd like it to be. I didn't feel as though he lost anything; he was just hurtling toward his tragic destiny. Lawrence being an actor is an inspired idea but they didn't do a lot with that angle.


Spoiler in black text:

They showed a bit too much of Hopkins' makeup at the end and he was starting to come across more like Papa Bear than Papa Wolf.  Darker, more atmospheric lighting during that scene would have served it better.

[Lord Blood-Rah]

One homage I THOUGHT was coming was in the final scene.

**SPOILER IN BLACK TEXT**
After Talbot lay shot, and he looks up at Gwen, I was expecting him to say.  "Thanks for the bullet, it was the only way."
An homage to Werewolf of London.  Came close, he said thank you.

[furiousveggie]

Ok. STILL HAVENT SEEN THIS! WTF

[poseablemonster]

There are one specific HOMAGE NO ONE has mentioned yet, I think!

Thiss CAN NOT be a coincidence. In the latter part of the movie he is WEARING A ROPE BELT!!!!!! Just like the AURORA WOLFMAN!

Yes, I noticed it in a scene where he fell back and you could see the rope belt.  I immediately thought "AHI Wolfman"...but of course, the AHI style came from the Aurora.  Good catch - I'm sure it was a nod to the Aurora kit.

[Jscareshock]

MAybe because I went in with low expectations but I LOVED IT!  The previews did NOT do this gem justice.  Benicio did a wonderful job of capturing both Chaney AND Oliver Reed with the pathos and dispair.  Hell, the entire movie was moody and dark.  I felt the pressure of dispair and the fear of teh victims.  WOw!  I mean WOW!  I was really impressed.

I did not know that Benicio was a producer--that may have explained the delay int he movie's release--he wanted it to be perfect.  And to this monster fan IT WAS!!!

[depressedlarrytalbot]

Ok. STILL HAVENT SEEN THIS! WTF

RUN, do not walk, to your nearest friendly kine-house !

[BlackLagoon]

Just got back from seeing it. Absolutely loved it. Loved it to the point where I think our classic monster forefathers are smiling down on this gem.

I loved the scenery and atmosphere, I thought Del Toro and Hopkins were fantastic and I loved the new take on our classic story.

If Creature From The Black Lagoon follows in the footsteps of this film I think we'll have another great film waiting for us.

Nothing but good things about this movie, cant say enough, I loved it!

[fmofmpls]

I'm going back for seconds. Gonna see it again tomorrow morning - $5.00 early matinee showing.

[BlackLagoon]

I'm going back for seconds. Gonna see it again tomorrow morning - $5.00 early matinee showing.

I may have to do the same, I did a $6.00 matinee today and it was a crowded house due to the holiday. Now I need to see it again...in peace.

[jimm]

Agreed on all counts, really enjoyed it, as most of you did. Gotta drag my my bro out to see it on the weekend. Heres hoping the same team is on board for any future UM endeavors! Now to bust open that Mezco figure...

[Monster Bob]

My daughter and I really liked THE WOLFMAN alot.  As others have said, the makeup and period look of the film was fabulous, and there did seem to be tips of the hat to both the Universal and Hammer films of the past throughout the film. The attention to period details was second to none. For the most part, the CGI worked well, and especially in the transformation scenes.

My favorite scene was in the lecture hall at the asylum when Talbot is tied to the chair- I knew from the previews that was going to be a good one, and it did not disappoint! The woods scenes, the castle interior, the London street scenes- all fabulous. Loved the steam-powered bus.

My criticisms- I wasn't all that nuts about the werewolf fight in the end; I think that was the part where the CGI was a bit bothersome. And unfortunately Mileva, Gwen, and some of the other characters didn't seem to have enough to do, their characters underdeveloped.

THE WOLFMAN is not a flawless film, but a really good scary one, and all things considered the best monster movie in ages. I am anxious to see the bonus reel on the DVD!

[Lord Blood-Rah]

Just saw it for a second time and was more impressed than the first time!
I enjoyed it more I believe because all my preconceptions of how I'd do it were gone and I just rolled with the movie.
I felt, the first viewing, that Del Toro's performance was rather flat, I no longer feel that way.
Tell the truth, I'm tempted to see it AGAIN!
     LBR

[DocManj]

Saw it with a large group of friends and everyone, includig myself, loved it.  Excellent acting, great gothic atmosphere, excellent wolf man make-up and transformation scenes and action scenes.  In my opinion it is the Best Hammer Horror inspired film since Sleep Hollow.  I must go back for a second helping.  I will very much be looking forward to the DVD release.

Hopefully the movie will garner a sequel and help to usher in more actual Universal horror movies, which the Wolf Man is (none of that Mummy and Van Helsing rubbish).

DocManj

[artistguy]

Bring on the Blu-ray and all the extras and deleted scenes!!!! Can't wait!

[Penny Dreadful]

Was it my imagination, or did I catch a glimpse of the pentagram in Del Toro's hand during his first transformation into the werewolf?  I could have sworn I saw it there very briefly. 

~Penny~