The Wolfman: DVD Review
The Wolfman
Released by Universal Home Video
Rating: R16
Released in an extended director's cut just a few months since
its release in cinemas, The Wolfman remains a much maligned horror
film.
In 1880s London, Lawrence Talbot (Benicio del Toro) is summoned to
the family home after the disappearance of his brother Ben.
Talbot is reunited with his father (Anthony Hopkins) - something
that he hadn't planned on after fleeing domestic life after the
death of his mother. After being called back by Ben's wife Gwen
(Emily Blunt), the hunt soon turns to a funeral after the discovery
of Ben's mutilated body.
Talbot begins an investigation into the brutal slaying of his
brother - and even Scotland Yard's finest (including Hugo Weaving)
are called in. But as Talbot digs deeper into claims an animal
killed his brother, he's drawn into a dark world and finds himself
facing his deepest fears.
A remake of the 1914 film, this version remains a darkly compelling
and gory take on the Victorian legend. Full of spooks and shocks
(as well as blood), it's great to see a Wolfman which is
nightmarish as its original premise suggested it would be.
Del Toro is good as the tortured Talbot - and one scene inside an
asylum where the wolf breaks out is just terrifically
terrifying.
16 minutes of extra footage make this version worthwhile - and I
still standby the fact this was dismissed as boring and slow in the
cinema. It's actually a nice character piece which has some great
set moments which really ramp up the fear.
Perfect entertainment for the dark, winter nights.
Extras: Not so exciting, deleted scenes -
sometimes, there's a reason why they're deleted.
Rating: 7/10
