The Wolfman does not feel like a movie made in the year 2010. I’m not saying that because it takes place in the 1800′s; I’m saying that because it has the feel of a movie you’ve seen many times before. You would think by now the filmmakers would say to themselves “This is no different from any other werewolf movie” after watching what they’ve made. Maybe they haven’t seen many others. I think the one thing they thought they had going for themselves is better technology for special effects. They’re right about that part at least. Since it is 2010, they’re lucky to have the capability of making good visual effects.
It’s the story that is lacking any originality. Casting Benicio Del Toro was smart because not only is he a good actor but he also kind of looks like a wolfman already. Anthony Hopkins is in the film too, but 2 good actors aren’t enough to keep a bad movie interesting. An American Werewolf in London raised the bar for special effects back in the 80′s with its amazing werewolf transformation scene. This film has a good transformation scene too, once they finally get around to it. The film does drag for a while.
There are just too many scenes that feel like scenes we’ve already seen before. The main character is thought to be insane at one point for thinking he is a werewolf. A doctor has him strapped to a chair on display for others to see while he lectures them on insanity. Of course, a full moon occurs and the man starts to transform into a wolf while still in the chair. Everyone watching becomes horrified and they try telling the doctor to turn around, but he’s too busy going on his rant to notice the werewolf behind him. That’s been in so many horror movies that involve pretty much any type of creature behind someone that doesn’t realize it. This movie gets 1 star from me which is simply for the special effects. I’d much rather watch Teen Wolf, at least that was a werewolf movie with an original concept.
1 star
