The Wolfman

Ratings: 7.2/10

Genre: Horror Drama

Overall value for time and money: 7.0/10

Not just another werewolf movie. This movie finally gives credit to the ominosity which shrouds the mysteries of werewolves. This film brought elegance to a werewolf movie unlike any other, it is the Count Dracula of Werewolves ("Englishman" countryside kinda settings). There's also a scene which made me reminiscence about the creepiness of Frankerstein.

The brother of a murdered man is persuaded to return to his hometown where he would soon come face to face with the murderer, resulting in an undesirable outcome... the birth of a werewolf (if the title isn't already obvious enough). The plot wasn't that unpredictable but the buildup of the suspense was applaudable. It really felt like more of a "ghost" horror movie than a "zombie" like horror movie. It was pretty hilarious seeing how Benicio Del Toro, the male lead pretend to be all frightened and relief after the buildup of the scary scenes because his face is just too cool to convince me that he was indeed frightened at all.

I personally didn't quite like the scares in this film, many of which was uncalled for and unaccountable. *spoilers ahead* The way "papa" werewolf died was ridiculously convenient and the way the lead werewolf had to keep escaping from the clutches of the towns' policemen was absurd. The scene which first featured the werewolf made it seem so invincible, but when the protagonist finally became one himself, he was pretty vulnerable and a wee bit pathetic. The buildup of the characters was a flop, especially for his father's houseman, except for the main lead himself. And last but not least, the sparks between both male and female leads were too abrupt.

It being already a 2 hour film, I cannot fault it for the bits of floppy plot development. Wasn't that "smooth" a ride but I loved it enough for its elegant remake of a werewolf movie. Didn't feel like a cheap budget film, could be owing it to the realistic special effects, and apart from the unncessary scares, it did pack a good viewing for me.

PS.: If you're cringing to find out which other movies that inspector acted in like I did, look no further. He was Agent Smith in the Matrix Trilogy.