Wolfman: Yay or Nay?

[furiousveggie]

What are you expecting from the new Wolfman?

[Herr Vogel]

This isn't a cop-out, but I'm going in with an open mind and not expecting anything but to be entertained.  I'm a huge, huge fan of the original Universal classics and didn't necessarily need all of those movies remade.  I understand the special effects and other production values are way better these days, but there's something special about those old black & white movies.

[furiousveggie]

I can totally agree. So far I haven't been blown away by any of Universal's remakes of their classic monsters. I remember Van Helsing in particular got me very excited though I ended up being rather disappointed. So yeah, not going in with hopes of a movie that comes close to the original, but I'd love to be pleasantly surprised.

[CreepysFan]

 Herr Vogel speaks for me as well. I'm not going in with high hopes, just expection to be entertained. If I get a nice surpise that's fantastic.

[Anton Phibes]

I thought both Van Helsing and The Mummy would reek.  I was pleasantly surprised when they were tolerable.  Tolerable...not reeking. Now, that being said, the Wolfman shows more promise. What I feel the film has going for it:

1. Rick Baker: he's a fan of the original, and an artistic genius.
2. Acknowledging Curt Siodmak on the marquee posters. Acknowledging the past, and not attempting to ignore it.
3.Benecio Del Toro is a huge fan of the original film. He has also proven his merit by winning an academy award. He can be scary as is evidenced in the film "The Hunted".
4. Anthony Hopkins is in it. This reminds me very much of casting of the 1940's version having an established thespian like Claude Rains playing Talbot Senior.
5. Maleva. I dunno who the lady is playing her, but this is a nice nod to Maria Ouspenskayas elderly gypsy character.
6. The initial storyline seems intact. You have the cane, the return home after the brother's death, the gypsy woman, Siodmak's poem, etc.
7. The Wolfman is a lot of fright film fans's favorite characters.
7. The film is being played as straight horror. The Mummy and Van Helsing came off as high adventure pictures. This film doesn't seem to have that feel from the trailers.

I am going into this film with excitement. I hope I am not disappointed. Let's keep our fingers crossed that Universal has finally remembered what put them on the map and saved the company from bankruptcy many times. Monsters. Maybe they won't be asleep at the wheel this time.

[hammerfan]

Hoping for the best , but after Van Helsing, I cant say I have a lot of faith in Universal.

[Type3Toys]

This IS a Universal monster movie and the year IS 2010. I am expecting to be blown away by this movie. The talent is there, the history is there and the story is there. Why should I EXPECT anything less than awesome?
Weither the movie will deliver remains to be seen.

[kreaturekid]

I think the move has already proved to be amazing just be the adds and hard work there putting into it. I'm confident that this move, to me, is gona be amazing!!!!! I don't think the wolfman has looked any better!

[neonnoodle]

I am a big fan of the original too, so my hope would be that the remake is a great film.  My expectation is that it'll be competent, scary fun.  The trailer stuff I have seen certainly looks good...the images look good.  And there are some fantastic people involved with it.  I think it'll be entertaining at the very least.

[Monster Bob]

Looks great to me! The only thing i have seen that looks a little weird are shots of the Wolfman running- there is a video game essence about them (obvious CGI). But otherwise it looks like a terrific film.

[depressedlarrytalbot]

I'm off to a preview this evening. I'll let you know.

[furiousveggie]

I can see the videogame influence a lot in many of the remakes. I think what has made Universal's revivals of the monster franchises so tolerable was the fact that they weren't trying to make the same movie cut for cut. That being said I'd like to see a more atmospheric rendition of the classics. Like you said Anton, I think it's important to play them for straight horror rather than big adventurey type of film.

[depressedlarrytalbot]

Thumbs up !! This is not a film to knock AVATAR off its perch but it's well made and a heckuva lot of fun.
You never thought a man-headed werewolf could be scary again did you? Admit it. I didn't. But this version of Talbot is terrifying - massive, fast and powerful. There are a number of set-pieces that will blow you away, along with nods to AMERICAN WEREWOLF and WEREWOLF OF LONDON. Several carry-over detail elements from the original are barely seen let alone explained, but it doesn't matter. Blackmoor has other fish to fry, stuff that genteel, conservative Llanwelly never dreamed of.

I'll be interested to know how the rest of you find it over the next week or so .....  

[Creature Features]

From what i've seen of it on documentaries and trailers, i'm very excited...Friday can't get here fast enough!   

[zombiehorror]

So are you saying depressedlarrytalbot was a happylarrytalbot?  Glad to hear you enjoyed it and that we have our first official UMA review.  I'll be going to see it Saturday with the wife for Valentine's, can't wait.