Movie Review- “The Wolfman” 2010- Wait for the DVD, then Don't Buy It
Posted: Friday, February 19, 2010
by Ken McCreless
RMS1437
Greetings Fellow Travelers ...
My wife Janie and I spent a wonderful Valentine's Day together. We went on a long ride on the Harley, (another article with pics!), and had a great time.
Then we decided to see "The Wolfman."
Janie wanted to see it, thinking it would provide inspiration for an upcoming book in the works, "Taagenwulf," and it did- in a "don't let this happen to you" fashion.
First, the good. The movie is set in merry old England, pretty much as the original version in 1941. The feel was great. A misty moor at night, a howl in the distance evoking a "Who's there?" from a more than frightened gentleman who is regretting having found the very creature he was looking for, then being killed and ripped to shreds.
Of course we have the Gypsy wagon train providing the heavy accented warnings and curse bestowment and removal services for frightened aristocrats. Their less-than-pristine flesh also feeds the beast.
OK, I'll admit it. I was having an awesome day and really really really wanted this movie to be good. Benecio Del Toro has the perfect look to pull off the Wolfman and he did, in spite of the over-playing of the man-to-wolf transformations.
With the high caliber talent pulled together here you would expect a great film. The problem has to be poor direction.
Let's start with Agent Smith, I mean, Inspector Abberline, played by Hugo Weaving. As hard as I tried not to I could not stop seeing the accomplished actor as his "Matrix" computer program turned avatar.
Remember the lines "I killed you, Mr Anderson, I watched you die?" That is exactly how his character spoke in "The Wolfman."
Agent Smith all over again.
And I get the distinct feeling that after director Joe Johnston told Mr Weaving "just act like Agent Smith" he told the acclaimed and esteemed Anthony Hopkins, "and you, um, you are Hannibal Lecter with a beard!" Then he went for coffee and stayed gone until post-production.
The film was soooooooooo predictable, not because it was a remake but because of the poor story line. Many scenes seemed thrown in just to give the plot a new direction, or to fill a gap left by pitiful storytelling. For example, when Inspector Abberline walks into Miss Conliffe's shop to question her he shoots a mirror he thinks Lawrence Talbot is hiding behind. A fellow cop tells him something about very bad luck.
Now we know who the poor soul is who will carry on the curse! This scene is also played out in a mind numbingly stale manner.
So, throw some popcorn in the microwave and the original 1941 Wolfman into the DVD player and settle back for a fun evening.
At least you'll have your own self to blame if the cell phone rings!
Ken McCreless is just a guy who loves to write, and was born to do so. He is a freelance writer with several projects ongoing, including books and magazines. A huge fan of both irony and history, Ken has dedicated his life and his writing to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
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