Review: The Wolfman (2010) (Theatrical version)

Everything you could possibly want in a werewolf film!

It was everything i wanted it to be, and so much more.

I'll tell you what, i went in with the lowest expectations because i'd read a dozen or so reviews including the Empire one which bashed it, i thought it would suck and sat there ready to cuss it silly. But as soon as the Universal logo came up in black and white and the original's wolfsbane poem is shown to set the scene, i felt a tingle down my spine and got goosebumps, and i think "hell yes, this is going to be an old-fashioned traditional horror movie from the good old days". And i wasn't wrong in my opinion, it delivered in every respect.

Acting was awesome; Del Toro was great as the tragic Lawrence Talbot, Blunt was cool (and gorgeous) Weaving played an absolute badass but the real star was Anthony Hopkins who played his part really well; creepy, disturbing and twisted. Special effects were fantastic (kudos Rick Baker, again!)- make-up looked amazing and is the real star; you know it's a man in a costume but they made it look fantastic with lighting and atmosphere that you believe it's real. CGI also was used only when necessary (thankfully most of it is all practical effects!), the creature looked great on screen, movement and creature performance were brilliant, lots of care and attention to detail to make it like a proper wild beast. The visuals are AMAZING, everything is so stylish, moody and artistic- landscapes, atmosphere and scenery are dripping with beautiful Gothic grandeur, every scene was a piece of art. Story was engrossing from start to finish. Action sequences were BADASS, perfectly paced and choreographed (director Joe Johnston is very good at this and here he proves it yet again). The R rating really helped, they made the creature into a proper hardcore monster; ripping, gouging and mauling left right and centre; it was truly one to fear, and it really was as there's plenty of shocks and jump scares. Music was fantastic as usual by Danny Elfman.

To be honest, i can't find a single major thing wrong with the film as this is exactly what a werewolf film should be. Minor gripes are some CGI did look off, but i didn't care at all. This was a truly amazing film which harks back to the classic days of Gothic horror/ monster films, and an awesome remake that actually surpasses the original. The problems and delays with the film regarding production were non-existent to me, i really couldn't have realised that the film had so much stuff cut out. To me everything worked out great.

All in all, it's a fantastic creature feature, a superb high class Gothic horror flick but all in all- an awesome tribute to the classic horror films of the 30s/40s/50s/60s and 70s (it's got a very distinct "Hammer Horror" style, which I loved as i'm a huge fan of these, having grown up on them).

Of course, the film is a more character-driven drama (as it rightfully should be regarding the original), and a really well done one at that...but when the monster is unleashed, it does so in such a spectacular style you can't help but relish in the mayhem that ensues. Every scene with the creature was brilliant, and as a monster fan i was loving every second of it. A film by horror fans to horror fans. I enjoyed myself immensely and can't wait to see it again.

10/10. An instant classic. Werewolves are cool again and they're back with style!