Here we have a modern remake of the original Wolfman movie with Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt and Anthony Hopkins in the leading roles. My opinion on it is not extreme either way. It's not terrible and it's not great. It has a certain retro vibe to it and I cannot tell you how faithful or not it is to the original which I've never seen. I was mostly entertained although I checked the time a few times indicating that either the movie was a bit long or that the pace wasn't quite right. Benicio Del Toro in the leading role certainly looked the part with his unconventional features but he didn't blow me away with his interpretation that seemed too restrained and cold. On the other hand, Emily Blunt was just wonderful showing lots of emotions with just her eyes. Hopkins as the father of the future wolfman was slightly over the top and campy but nothing major.
The story was interesting although predictable (I guessed who the original wolfman was from the start). Special mention should go to the asylum sequence that was not only intense but also creatively shot. I didn't find the movie particularly scary although there are a few surprise attacks from the wolfman that make you jump and very quick gory scenes that make you cringe. The set design and cinematography was very good and atmospheric recreating the foggy landscapes and towns of Victorian England. The wolfman sequences were appropriately quick, feral and savage and it did help that it was the real actors under the costumes instead of CGI although I'm sure some viewers will think it looks fake. I enjoyed seeing the first complete on-camera transformation, a long time coming, and thought it was effective. I think a lot more could have been done with the internal conflict raging inside Del Toro's character and especially how it affects his relationships. He looked more resigned and passive than tormented. I also wish I could have been more emotionally involved with the tragedies going on but I wasn't. So all in all, a decent remake, certainly watchable but that could have benefited from a stronger leading actor and a more inspired storyline.
Rating: 6 out of 10 (good)
The story was interesting although predictable (I guessed who the original wolfman was from the start). Special mention should go to the asylum sequence that was not only intense but also creatively shot. I didn't find the movie particularly scary although there are a few surprise attacks from the wolfman that make you jump and very quick gory scenes that make you cringe. The set design and cinematography was very good and atmospheric recreating the foggy landscapes and towns of Victorian England. The wolfman sequences were appropriately quick, feral and savage and it did help that it was the real actors under the costumes instead of CGI although I'm sure some viewers will think it looks fake. I enjoyed seeing the first complete on-camera transformation, a long time coming, and thought it was effective. I think a lot more could have been done with the internal conflict raging inside Del Toro's character and especially how it affects his relationships. He looked more resigned and passive than tormented. I also wish I could have been more emotionally involved with the tragedies going on but I wasn't. So all in all, a decent remake, certainly watchable but that could have benefited from a stronger leading actor and a more inspired storyline.
Rating: 6 out of 10 (good)