Wolfman, the (2010) - Waning Moon  
| There were certain things I really loved about Joe Johnston's remake of The Wolfman and certain things I found really disappointing. I think in some ways he has made a satisfying if somewhat standard horror film and in other ways it feels like a let down.
Johnston's film feels quite disjointed. In fact, the film feels like it was edited with pruning sheers. This is evident in both the story telling and the simple visuals. The film jumps from one idea to the next without any cohesive narrative structure. There is a scene where the character is being told to stay in after dark and a quick cut to him riding off under the full moon. Why? No explanation for not following the advice, not even a suggestion. Many scenes just feel too short, too jerky, too quickly cut away from. Johnston isn't able to create or sustain much mood.
But some of this works to his advantage. He manages to create an edgy feel that keeps the audience on its toes. You never know when the film is going to lurch again which if successfully off putting. A few times he uses "fake outs" not to diffuse tension as most horror films do but by lumping them together (2 or more in a row) to keep you guessing as when it's going to be over. Normally I am not a fan of this technique, but here it works.
But so much seems to be missing. It's like the film should have had another half an hour as important details are left out. The gypsy woman speaks about love saving him but other than helping him die in as much peace as possible, what does the love really do? It's never clear. Was there supposed to be more? Questions like this linger and are left unfulfilled in a way that makes you feel something is missing.
The story itself is a good one and I would have loved to see how it could have been executed better. There is a great tale to be told and when the film was telling it, I was engrossed. There was a great scene in a medical observation theatre that was chilling but then kind of wasted. A torture scene in an asylum which was similar.
Normally I love this cast but here they don't seem to gel. Del Toro, a true talent, seems awkward and clumsy. Maybe his heart just wasn't in it. He and Blunt have no chemistry which sucks some of the power out of the film. Hopkins is in full scenery chewing mode and it feels like a bit much for this role. Only Weaving truly stands out as impressive.
Cheap special effects also take away from the power of the film. They would probably work better on a small screen. The transformations are terrible which is one of the things about a werewolf movie that should be top notch.
I did like what the film was doing with blurring the line between savagery and civilization. What is the animal part of us? What should we be aspiring to? I love the way the estate was being "reclaimed" by nature, much like its inhabitants. There was some interesting work here.
I don't think The Wolfman is a failure but it is certainly not a success either.
| |
