THE WOLFMAN (USA/UK 2010) ***
Directed By Joe Johnston

From first impressions after viewing the remake of the 1941 Universal horror B-flick, THE WOLFMAN appears to be played strictly for horror and suspense.

But under greater scrutiny there is no genuine suspense created in director Johnston’s THE WOLFMAN but only horror in the form of scares generated from extreme frightening scenes.  Most are graphic images hastily put together be it making up a nightmare sequence, scenes in the sanitarium or a massive attack sequence by the beast.

The story is set in the 1880s, with theatre success Lawrence Talbot (Benicio del Toro) reuniting with his father (Anthony Hopkins) after the disappearance of his brother.  Lawrence joins his brother’s fiancée, Gwen (Emily Blunt) in the search, only to find the local village terrorized by a werewolf.  Being bitten, Lawrence turns into one whenever a full moon arises.  This is as much plot that most are familiar with.  The story goes on with a few twists and turns but still not enough to fill a film with more than an hour and half running time.

Johnston’s film has superb cinematography, art and set direction, inviting the audience to experience the beauty of the dark moors of England.  But apart from the segments when the werewolf appears, the film staggers to hold interest.  The serious tone of the film is also undermined by Hopkins hamming up his lines.  Perhaps Johnston should have lightened up and allowed more humour into his tale.

THE WOLFMAN is still loyal to its roots as a horror flick.  Fans of the genre will not be disappointed with the gore and assorted limbs thrown out at the screen.  The attack segments are well done.  The one involving the beast’s attack on a horse carriage reminds one of the werewolf attack on a double-decker at Piccadilly Circus in John Landis’ AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON.  (Oddly, there is not as much killing in Landis film, but that film, though a comedy, is still scarier than THE WOLFMAN.) The romantic chemistry between Gwen and Lawrence is weak which adds to the film’s flaws. 
Still THE WOLFMAN is worth a look for all its glory in terms of special effects, stunts and (especially) make-up.