Wolfen
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Movie Reviews of Wolfen
Movie Review: "Animals? They May be Gods"
Summary: 4 Stars
"Wolfen" is the oddity of the three big werewolf films of 1981, which also includes "The Howling" and "An American Werewolf in London." Most people seem uncertain how to critique it because it wasn't what they were expecting (Is it even a werewolf film at all?), hence the very mixed reviews.
The first 90 minutes of "Wolfen" play like a "Dirty Harry" yarn, albeit without the action, in New York City with Albert Finney as the weary detective. The murders mount up and the evidence seems to point to... well, I can't give it away.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK: The first hour & a half has a very lazy drive to it. Needless to say, people who have ADD won't like "Wolfen."
WHAT WORKS: Despite the sluggishness, the film definitely has a lot of mood, eerie & captivating music, seriousness, a realistic vibe, good acting, excellent New York locations (especially the condemned slum areas) and Class A cinematography to warrant one's respect.
Regardless of all these good aspects, the film would have failed if there was no pay-off to the mounting mystery. Yet there's a powerful pay-off indeed: At the 90 minute mark Finney, half-dazed after the death of his buddy, lumbers into a Native American bar wherein the Indian cast members powerfully explain the mystery. This 5 minute scene is, believe it or not, one of the most captivating, surreal and potent scenes in all of cinema; everything works -- the music, dialogue, acting & casting. This sequence could have easily failed if everything wasn't just perfect, but it is. And, speaking of the Indians, Edward James Olmos is outstanding as the mysterious Native, who may or may not possess shape-shifting abilities.
The film wisely takes the "Jaws" route and doesn't reveal who or what the "Wolfen" are until the final half hour. Some have complained about the appearance of the wolfen, but I feel the fim-makers were quite successful; they look pretty scary to me and, I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to run into them on a dark lit street, or even in broad daylight for that matter. Seriously, the film-makers did the best they could in the pre-CGI era in which the film was made.
I've heard the ending called everything from preposterous to dumb; yet aren't all such horror films preposterous by their very nature? I personally find the ending of "Wolfen" to be its greatest strength -- thought-provoking, atmospheric and powerful.
Movie Review: Worth seeing if you missed it in '81.
Summary: 4 Stars
This film has a lot of atmospere. It turns a late 70s looking NYC into a gothic slum. If you like the tone of movies like the Shining, Howling, etc, then this one will catch your interest. I won't say it's as good as either of those movies, but there's a familiar late 70s vibe in Wolfen which came out in '81. The cinematography is eerie, high quality and artisic. At nearly 2 hours (114 mins) it's moody meandering drags occasionally. But viewers are rewarded with some splendid shots of the city (from atop the Brooklyn bridge, demolition lots in the Bronx, surreal wolfen POV shots etc.), putting it's erie 'Exorcist'-like spell over a now decades old New York (evidence World Trade Center).
I went into this more excited than I came out of it. It's premise is obviously far-flung and probably worked better in the book (which I didn't read). The Wolfen are creatures that ride that line between Native American symbol and Cujo (a great movie I might add) - which could be one of things that weaken the film. We're not sure how exactly to feel about these carnivores 'ridding the pack of the weak and sick'.
The actors carry the piece well though the main detective is a bit stodgy which helps slow the pace, but overall the acting fits and helps create the mood. As the plot really unfolds however, things got a little less intriguing for me, although I'll give 'em this much - they did a lot with the semi-wacky idea they were running on. I guess that's the supernatural for you. I'm happy I saw it. Halfway through the picture I'd have given it 5 stars. By the end I was down to 4 as it didn't reach the excitement level, or cleverness, of classics like The Shining or Exorcist. I wouldn't watch it again, but I'm happy to have seen it once. It certainly deserves that much, and sorry to hear the director never did another picture. He obviously had talent.
Movie Review: "Interview With The Vampire" meets "Dances With Wolves"
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm actually very ambivilant towards this film--meaning I both love it and hate it at the same time. First of all, one of the main reasons I don't like this film is that it was more gory than it needed to be and the disturbing hospital scene was really not necessary for the film to be effective. Second, I thought it just ran on way too long, and about three quarters of the film, I really started to get antsy and wished the plot would speed up just a tad. However, one of the main reasons I liked this film was the highly effective suspense when the wolves' presence was near. This is especially noticed during the scene when both Albert Finney and his female detective partner are inside the old, run-down Gothic church and they kept hearing the sounds of the spirit wolves that had the eerie sound of babies crying in the night. This I felt was HIGHLY effective and the music that was played added to the suspense very well. Also, I thought it was interesting to see a movie that, to me, resembled a cross between "Interview With The Vampire" and "Dances With Wolves" with the elements of the old Gothic church, the ravishing blood and fangs, the Native Americans, and the environmental message--over 10 years before "Interview" and "Dances" would themselves make it to the silver screen. So, while I did enjoy some elements of the film, there were a number of elements that I felt they could have improved on. Despite all this, though, the film IS worth a viewing.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Movie Review: Wolfen
Summary: 4 Stars
Detective Dewey Wilson is investigating several strange murders in New York City. All the vicitms look as if they have been mutilated by wild animals. His investigation leads him to a group of Native Americans who tell him about the legend of a superior species that once roamed the area, but who are now living and hunting in the slums of New York. This movie is both humorous in a dark way and frightening as well as gory and violent.It puts a spin on the werewolf story because the 'wolfen' aren't werewolfs at all. They're a protective urban species of wolf that dwell in the wreckage of the urban slums because that's where society has pushed them to. The movie never quite goes where you think it is and that makes it fresh and enjoyable.
Movie Review: Cool and totally unique take on wolf lore horror
Summary: 4 Stars
Badly underestimated picture boasts too many good qualities to be lauguishing in a lesser box of film . I streamed this picture over several days recently and found i really dug the message as well as the horror . Fantastic cast . These older films are looking better with every passing day . Sorry youths , no C.G.I in sight . Old school golden and delicious .