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This 2010 remake of Universal's 1941 feature "The Wolf Man" should satisfy every gore lover who watches it-but it actually has a pretty good story line, as well. In this one, the famous lycanthrope (played by Benecio Del Toro) is portrayed, as he is in the original, as a poor unfortunate who is as much a victim as a murderous beast. He is a really nice guy when he's not a werewolf! (This new incarnation makes Lon Chaney's werewolf look like a pet Pomeranian). Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro) is the son of landed Englishman, Sir John Talbot (well-played by Anthony Hopkins), but Lawrence lives in New York. He is called home by a letter from his brother's fiancée Gwen (Emily Blunt) telling him of the tragic and brutal murder of his brother Ben. She wants Lawrence to find out who (or what) killed him, and Lawrence is as determined to find out as Gwen. His investigation leads to an encounter with a werewolf-and he is viciously bitten. Of course, he is now doomed to a life of shape-shifting and murder every full moon.... This movie was drummed up as a tribute to the 1941 version, but it only follows the original story in a very general sense. I own a copy of each movie, and I like the story in each one-but the 2010 version is much more gruesome! No sex or nudity, but very graphic violence in abundance. 4****Read full review
I tossed between Good to Average rating on this film. This movie's plot and or seemed to straddle several films, the original of the same title, but including aspects of Hammer's Curse of the Werewolf and Werewolf of London. Del Toro, in this film bears an uncanny resemblance to Reed's hapless Leone. He plays his role with a rather understated tone, perhaps less emotional than Reed, but not conveying enough sadness or angst, so we never seem to really believe him. Sir Anthony always interesting to watch could have probably used better dialogue, but was complicated as we were never quite sure if he's a hero or a villain. Fortunately or unfortunately most of the film is carried by the special effects (CGI or otherwise) which are quite eye-catching. What was interesting was Weaving's characterization of Jack the Ripper's Abbeline, do I smell a sequel or just wolf poo?Read full review
I could tell little difference between the two versions and neither should have followed the original classic. Had the producers used a different slant (e.g. The Mummy remake), this would be more interesting. The original story is only followed up to a point and turning this into a mish mash of pros and cons, mainly cons. Del Toro strangely resembles the original Wolfman, Lon Chaney, Jr., and gives a good performance. Hopkins is over the top at times, and Blunt is just fine. Geraldine Chaplin plays Maleva the gypsy woman made famous by Madam Maria Ouspenskia, and has little to do here.The sets, special effects are first rate. This is entertaining and mindless diversion.
I guess I'm spoiled having seen the original Wolfman and using it as the bar for this one. How can the costumes/makeup today be less scary/believable than yesteryear? The asylum scene where the doctor has the wolfman on exhibition has costumes/makeup technology JacksonThrilleresque and AmericanWerewolfInLondonish, that should be somewhat improved by today and more animal-like than human -- this scene in particular, ruined it for me. And the battle between father and son was a bit grandiose in my estimate --sorry to have ruined it for you, but you are reading a review. Everything else was high quality, the actress, the music, the settings. Don't know how well it is supposed to follow the story line of the original Wolfman, but I was left a little confused in the process of comparison.Read full review
Although, I wanted more from this most recent version of the werewolf tale, Benecio never disappoints! And quite frankly the reason I added this to my collection. The cast is phenomenal, the mood is forbidding [and kinda spooky2]. The chemistry between Mr. Del Toro and Ms. Blunt is primal. The story is an allegory of sorts, mixing elements of the PRODIGAL SON of biblical fame, and LIKE-FATHER-LIKE-SON themes [& HAMLET, believe it or not]. The cinematography is beautiful, the acting thoughtful and engrossing. I believe each character had more to tell us. But when you look back at the Lon Chaney version and the WEREWOLF of LONDON version, you may note that this contemporary version follows suit, by given their audiences just enough to bite into. So, there’s something to be said about: leave them wanting more…and I do, but for now my hunger will have to be satisfied in my vivid imagination.Read full review
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