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What I Thought:
This is the sequel/remake of John Landis' classic 1980 werewolf movie "American Werewolf in London". Since both movies share
nothing but the title and the werewolves, I will review this one on it's own two feet. How can I put this? This has to be
my biggest guilty pleasure ever, this movie packed something that made me love it, guiltfully but love it nevertheless. Let
me start this review by mentioning how much I had been waiting to see this movie, it was a lot. And usually, I love the movies
I expect for a long time. Let's get down to business.
The movie starts with a very cool small chase sequence that settles a tone. Then, we are introduced to the main characters
(only one of them is important though) and their destination and goals. Now, it's been a while since I saw this movie but
I thought the conversation in this sequence was very amusing. Then, the really drugged screenwritter/s show off... What the
hell's with this story? It's like seven stories melded into one. In one hand we have the love for Seraphine, then his uncontrolable
transformations, the world dominating raving werewolves and the desire to take his life back. Normally I wouldn't like such
a mouthful only plotwise but this movie actually melded the elements well. But, it's a fact that this story tried to gave
a modern twist to Landis' classic but failed. I think this should have stayed like it is but called different, this shouldn't
call itself like it does. It's ok with me anyways.
Another mistake the movie makes also regards it's try to be more like "American Werewolf in London". Remember how Landis could
mix circumstancial humor with the horror? This tried to do something like it but failed miserably, although some of the jokes
are funny (blowing the condom), but most of them (70% of them) are way to out there and cheesy, some even board on a cheap
parody (the eyeball popping out/"Let me rest in pieces") movie. This can be the main thing people wouldn't enjoy the movie.
I don't care really, there's enough other goodies for me and I'm always up for the dumb humor.
The movie looks good, the director gave this movie a glossy and bright look, as well as some pretty awesome remain-in-the-dark
scenes that help the mystery in the story to add up and some pretty amazing lightning moves (the flashlight working only to
see the lycanthrope behind...brilliant) and the most kickass thing: Lycanthope point of views with glossy yellow filters...WOW.
I also loved how he handled the characters, Andy and Seraphy are a truly amusing pair eventhough their relationship is a teeny
bit off.
About the werewolves. Wow! I gotta say wow! The lycanthropes in this movie kicked so much ass the production must have spent
millions on kicked-ass pain reliever. Am I going to get flamed? Let me explain: Although the overused CGI was very obvious
and it really kicked the shock factor down a notch, these wolves are some of the coolest monsters ever to tear someone apart.
Let's face it, nothing cooler than seeing one of these werewolves clawing someone open and eating his/her heart, it just doesn't
get better.
About how the mytho was handled, I think it went too by the rules, I respect that they stayed true to the legend we all know
but I mean, if you are already giving the story a modern twist, you might as well bend the rules a little more for the mytho
itself. I mean, they add the injection thing, which I liked but everything else remains been there, done that.
Gore:
Some bits that deliver messy undead people, some ripped off body limbs, someone squashed to death, hearts in bags, a person
without legs and more blood spraying everywhere.
Overall Rating:
"8/10", the movie is more than flawed but it managed to amuse the living fuck out of me, I turned the movie off with a smile
and I am sure I can see it more than once and still enjoy it.
review by Leon Sakau
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