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The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

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View Poll Results: What did you think of The Wolfman
Excellent! A new horror classic!
2
3.57%
Good, but not great
26
46.43%
Not as bad as I thought it would be
10
17.86%
This movie sucks big wolfman balls!
18
32.14%
Voters: 56. You may not vote on this poll

The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Old 02-14-10, 06:03 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

How was the deer in Antichrist? I heard there was a cg deer in that too?
Old 02-15-10, 01:25 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by DrStrangeL0ve71 View Post
I don't get it. Why is he your favorite? The guy doesn't seem to have any discernible style from any other director for hire. I mean Jurassic Park 3? The Wolfman? Hidalgo? Jumanji? The Pagemaster? This is your favorite director?
How could you leave off The Rocketeer and Honey I shrunk the Kids?
Old 02-15-10, 01:28 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by Matthew Chmiel View Post
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Young Victoria has been out for two months (plus) now.

It only opened on a hand full of screens 2 months ago, went wider in Jan and then again this past weekend.

Last edited by AmityBoatTours; 02-15-10 at 01:31 AM.
Old 02-15-10, 01:30 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Joe Johnston is a great B-movie director; even though I didn't like "The Wolfman" that much, I'd say the fault lies on the studio pissing of Romanek and expecting Johnston to turn a more psychological movie into a conventional horror movie. There's nothing wrong with him being someone's favorite director. If there is, then anyone whose favorite actor is Bruce Campbell must obviously have problems as well.
Old 02-15-10, 06:02 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

I found the werewolf in AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON to be more scary.
Since that werewolf ripped people apart like a wolf would instead of the superhuman strength of Wolverine chopping heads with one blow.
Old 02-15-10, 08:18 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Well I was disappointed, It wasnt bad, but it wasnt great. There was alot of potential. It had a great setting, great actors and great CGI. I dont think the CGI destroyed the movie as one person said, The effects were the best part of the movie, They were pretty well done. The CGI Deer as everyone said didnt look bad at all.

There were some really amazing shots that would just look sweet as stills, the effects were great, the wolfman looked pretty sweet, loved the stuff in the psycho ward, and when the doctors had him tied up. and running on the London roof tops, and the shot when hes a wolf near the water looking up at the London bridge was sweet

........but the story with Anthony Hopkins was lame. It wasn't scary as I hoped. There were some scary shots where they could of played the suspense up. Plus even though it had a great cast, the acting was dull, no one had any chemistry, Dialogue was dry. Emily Blunt had no chemistry with the Wolf-man, she looked great but it didnt work. You barely got any his heighted senses as he was turning into a wolf man. You had one scene when he heard the horses and thats it.


Movie could of been amazing, and it was probably due to the studio, swtiching directors etc. but it turned into an okay movie thats worth renting but not seeing in the theater

6.5/10
Old 02-16-10, 10:30 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

This had been #1 on my watch list for a looong time as I'm a huge fan of the original, in addition to all the other Universal films. Once again, they butchered yet another favorite character of mine. This joins other disappointment-filled films like the first Hulk, Godzilla, and Superman Returns.

However, I didn't think it was nearly as bad as most of the reviews say. The production was top-notch, including Baker's makeup. Great setting and atmosphere with all the haziness and fog. This looks like a big budget film.

It doesn't take long to realize how heavily edited the movie is though. I'd say it's only 15-20 minutes before he's already bitten by the wolf, which happens after a fairly exciting attack sequence on the gypsy camp.

I thought the score was pretty solid as well. Did they keep Elfman's score afterall? Certainly sounded like his trademark stuff.

The 1st half of the film, a little choppy, is definitely better than the 2nd half, which does hit the wall about 2/3 of the way through and ends on a fairly whimper of a finale. However, the best part of the film for me was Del Toro's first turn as the wolfman. It seemed to have the least amount of CGI and contained most of the excitement. It's too bad it was so brief, but it certainly got things moving.

It's far from perfect and with the troubled production, I was expecting a worse finished product. There is "some" fun to be had and it certainly earns the R rating.

I'd love to see how Mark Romanek's version would have turned out.
Old 02-16-10, 10:39 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

^ I more or less agree with your statement.

I never bought the romance between Blunt and Del Toro, though a good deal of that was likely lost to the editing room floor, I doubt the re-instated footage would breathe any more life into that tenuous relationship.

Hopkins was obviously having a great deal of fun, so I didn't mind him hamming it up.

Benicio seemed a little too relaxed, too laconic. I've always enjoyed Chaney's performance as this pitiful man who ends up cursed, but Benicio doesn't garner the same reaction from me. Hell, I felt like he was a wolf; it seemed so natural.

Blunt was good, but vastly underwritten.

Weaving added some gravitas to the whole affair. That guy was made to sport muttonchops.

The CGI wasn't nearly as bad as I was anticipating. Sure, I would've preferred a film that was 100% Baker's FX, but that would never happen today. The bear and deer were lame because, let's face it, they should be able to hire trained animals no problem. But the werewolf stuff looked alright. Even the final fight at the end didn't look as bad as I had expected.

Finally, the film has some palpable atmosphere. It was dripping in gothic design, and I loved the title card and closing credits. It's far from a perfect film, but it isn't terrible for a film with such a storied production - more of a lost opportunity, than anything.

I'd give it a 7.8/10, though that could slightly elevate if the forthcoming DC works some magic.

Last edited by islandclaws; 02-16-10 at 10:48 AM.
Old 02-16-10, 12:50 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Would opinions of this movie be so negative if someone else, like maybe Rob Zombie, had made it?
Old 02-16-10, 01:17 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by Dr. DVD View Post
Would opinions of this movie be so negative if someone else, like maybe Rob Zombie, had made it?
No, they'd be more negative, I'm sure.
Old 02-16-10, 04:22 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by KillerCannibal View Post
No, they'd be more negative, I'm sure.

I can only imagine more gore, Sheri Moon Zombie as Larry's mother, and somehow Victorian-era citizens spewing obscenity.
Old 02-16-10, 04:33 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Don't forget that the Talbots now live in a dilapidated trailer and Larry's father is an alcoholic.
Old 02-16-10, 04:35 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by Dr. DVD View Post
I can only imagine more gore, Sheri Moon Zombie as Larry's mother, and somehow Victorian-era citizens spewing obscenity.
did they have trailer trash back in the 1800's?? lol

she would probably be just the same as in H2 except w/ an ever worse cgi animal, and del toro would be listening to her and seeing images of his dead brother. There ya go, Zombie, I came up w/ the story for your remake of Wolfman.. wheres my money?!
Old 02-16-10, 09:40 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by Boba Fett View Post
Saw this for free due to the $7 Universal Classic Monster DVDs at Costco having ticket codes on them.
In case this may be of benefit to anyone, I noticed Wal-mart had the 1941 The Wolf Man for $10 with the same amount of movie cash available with the purchase.
Old 02-16-10, 11:23 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by cardsfan111 View Post
In case this may be of benefit to anyone, I noticed Wal-mart had the 1941 The Wolf Man for $10 with the same amount of movie cash available with the purchase.
WAIT! The new one that just came out not so long ago?!
Old 02-17-10, 12:06 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

I think I'm going to see this again.
Old 02-17-10, 01:58 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by Solid Snake PAC View Post
WAIT! The new one that just came out not so long ago?!
Sorry for the false hope. Nope, not the 2-disc Special Edition just released--I hadn't even realized a new version had just been put out or I would have been more clear. This appeared to be just the single disc release.
Old 02-17-10, 08:15 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by cardsfan111 View Post
Sorry for the false hope. Nope, not the 2-disc Special Edition just released--I hadn't even realized a new version had just been put out or I would have been more clear. This appeared to be just the single disc release.
damnit....*sigh*...
Old 02-21-10, 08:26 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

An outraged "Twilight" fan complains that "The Wolfman" rips off "New Moon" (The misspellings are in the original e-mail, I assume):

To whom this may concern:

This movie was a complete waste and I feel that it offends ALL Twilight Fans around the world, that including myself. For one, it was a COMPLETE remaking of the Wolf Pack from the Twilight Saga: New Moon. It gives the werewolves a bad name and makes them look like some deformed mutation of a rabid dog. I actually started to like werewolves after seeing Jacob Black and all his awesomeness on the big screen at the movies. That was until I saw your crappy remake of what you call to be a "were wolf". I don't see how you live with yourself for making it the way you did. If I made this movie, I would be ashamed to even admit that I owned it. How can a werewolf be killed with a silver bullet? Better yet, have you saw the transformation of the man that is "supposed" to be the wolf? He sits in some chair and his entire body turns in to some mutated freak. If you would watch the transformation of Jacob Black, (Taylor Lautner) he doesn't come close to looking as fake, cheap and or mutated as the wolf man. You tell me, who looks to be the better werewolf. Your stupid Wolf Movie didn't even make the top Movie for the charts; Valentines Day WITH TAYLOR Lautner! Get that this is MY oppinion and I felt I wanted to express it because I saw that your email was on your site. I wanted to let you know this is what i thought of the wolf man that sucks.
FREAKIN LAUTNER DID!

The Poser of who could never be even if they tried : " Aka : Rabid poser Werewolf "The Wolf Man"

OR My favorite: Taylor Daniel Lautner aka Jacob Black

TEAM JACOB- cuz hes a REAL WEREWOLVE!

Regards: Kayla Patterson ([email protected])
http://www.latinoreview.com/news/tay...-twilight-9247
Old 02-21-10, 09:06 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by DGibFen View Post
An outraged "Twilight" fan complains that "The Wolfman" rips off "New Moon" (The misspellings are in the original e-mail, I assume):



http://www.latinoreview.com/news/tay...-twilight-9247
Old 02-22-10, 10:00 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by Giantrobo View Post
... I guess I'll go against the tide here and say that I really enjoyed this film. I almost skipped it due to the half-assed reviews here but I'm glad I didn't. I was never bored and I enjoyed the "twist". I liked all the characters and the style and overall vibe of the film. The Wolfman scenes were a lot of fun.
Agreed. Saw it yesterday, and enjoyed it quite a bit.
I really loved the Gothic look and feel of the film.

And I appreciated that it didn't need to be 2 1/2 hours like seemingly so many other bloated, overly long releases. Hollywood needs to realize that length does not equal quality. I thought the relatively tight runtime suited the material perfectly.

I liked Weaving's "pint of bitter" scene

Last edited by Pointyskull; 02-22-10 at 10:07 AM.
Old 04-23-10, 04:43 AM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Saw this and really dug it. Better than Sherlock Holmes. The look was great and the only thing I hated was that CGI bear.

I would have liked the ending to be a long fight between Toro and Hopkins than the humans come in blazing and the wolves fight off the crowd than kill eachother and Hugo gets the last shot killing Toro.

Im in for the Blu
Old 06-22-10, 03:17 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

I'm a little late to the party, as I never got the opportunity see this film in the theater. When I originally saw the trailers I thought that it looked decent, but then when I started reading the reviews in this thread, I decided to pass it up for awhile. I finally got around to seeing it, and it surpassed my expectations. Mind you, my expectations were very, very low, so saying it surpassed them isn't much of a feat. I have never been interested in werewolves, and have purposefully avoided films with them in the past because of that lack of interest. I have never seen any of the many adaptations of "The Wolfman", including the original from 1941, or any films very similar to the story, such as the 1994 film starring Jack Nicholson entitled "Wolf". I have "Wolf" on my DVR, at least I think I still have it, and may have to give it a watch sometime. This film is very flawed, but I still enjoyed it. The acting was par, nothing special but it fit the film. The writing wasn't bad, but the dialogue at times was horrible. Some of the things Del Toro said were really cheesy. The cinematography and color grading was excellent, the filmmakers managed to give the film a dark, gritty, low saturated look with out making it look colorless, unlike the new "Predators" film. The directing was pretty standard, nothing stood out as exceptional, but Joe Johnston's work never does. Overall it was an enjoyable film.

2 1/2 out of 5

Last edited by Blu Man; 06-22-10 at 08:27 PM.
Old 06-22-10, 03:35 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

I only recently watched the theatrical cut (after watching the unrated cut a couple of weeks back). The additions in the unrated cut do a lot to improve the film. I was especially surprised at how fast the theatrical cut moved at the beginning of the film. It felt incredibly rushed after viewing the unrated.
Old 06-22-10, 03:38 PM
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Re: The Wolfman: Reviews Thread

Tried to watch it the other night, the movie wazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Yeah, wasn't feeling it, will give it another go sometime down the line.

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