“EVEN A MAN WHO IS PURE AT HEART AND SAYS HIS PRAYERS AT NIGHT MAY BECOME A WOLF WHEN THE WOLFSBANE BLOOMS AND THE AUTUMN MOON IS BRIGHT” …. Sent Chills down my spine as I sat back for the opening frame of “The Wolfman”. What do we know about Werewolves? To the best of my knowledge they are a breed of mythological humans with the gift (Note the use of the word “gift”) of being able to change or shapeshift into a wolf or a wolf like beast. Curved long sharp fingernails, meeting eyebrows, furry face ,pointed ears and ofcourse a very lavish growth of hair all over the face and arms. Right now the picture I am trying to paint is none other than the 90s movie “Teen Wolf” which am sure at some point in time we have all seen. Joe Johnston; Director of “The Wolfman” has for sure seen it.Its been a while since we had a move in this genre with such an mythological creature hit the big screens. During this time the film industry has seen many adavancements in terms of animations,Special effects,3D, Make up , costuming and the overall visual.Movies of today have raised its bar on them selves so high that it is indeed a challenge to any passionate director to meet these standards.Well ofcourse there are drawbacks. A factor I always subconciouslly am aware of at all times, when relaxing and entertaining myself to nice evening by the Screen is.. “Give the movie a chance”.So I did. The Wolfman although was a delayed release had most of us anxiously waiting for it to hit the screens. Its Trailers and spoilers and glimpse into the making of the movie it self had already given me an perspective of what I am to expect. After all Its been a while since Joe Johnston came out with one his productions. The last I have heard of him was back in the early 2000 /2001 when he gave us the finale to the Jurrasic Park trilogy, which was and is still considered as a decent piece. Set in the year 1891. Old England as I would like to say. The movie trickles out of the Full moon. The main source / reason behind the shapeshift of the Human into the beast.Sheer Genius I must say that was as far as symbolism counts. No hanky panky but bang from the core. The visuals were that of a class that Joe Johnston has surely proved that he does know to make use of the advanced technology. Nothing too fancy, but it had what it needed. It had what it needed to put me back in time to that place , to that very moment,when the beast devours its prey……….Let me not mislead you at this point. This is more of a suspense thriller , rather than of a Horror , although the movie is labeled to be a Horror/Thriller movie. Which brings me to the next important factor. Sir Anthony Hopkins. More commercially know as the infamous “Hannibal Lecter”. Did you know ? That his academy award winning portrayal of Dr.Hannibal Lecter for best actor had him on screen for less than 20 minutes. How can one win an Academy award for best actor in 20 minutes.It Boggles my mind.He did! Sir Anthony Hopkins was a perfect fit into the enigmatic Sir John Tabolt in this movie. The maturity, the depth, the ferocity, the power he holds in his eyes and expression ,just stamps a permanent dominance in his position in Blackmoore as a powerful and well respected , yet unapproachable character. His dialouges are mellow but his presence just makes it work. At this point I felt the script was weak for a man as Sir anthony Hopkins and although that may have been the intent, you cant expect the audience not to stop expecting more depth in his character. For the mere fact is this man is SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS and its part of the deal he signs up for!!!!! To stand by such a man on the big screen and not be overcasted by his aura of achivements and moreover to be able to stand by him and to be the protaganist, we really need to see a man… I do mean A MAN. Hollywood has many male actors.Many. However I challenge you , put up a list of 10 Men who can stand next to Sir Anthony Hopkins in a HORROR movie as the lead role and to able to stand his ground and keep the spot light on him. I Kid you not. Its almost impossible with an exception of a few. Hats off once again to the director. He found the perfect man to stand up to Sir Anthonky Hopkins.Benicio de Toro, I am sure you all recall him just from last year from his portrayal of Che Guevara.This man is one of the very few I can see in Hollywood who can stand head to head and literally go against, rather not be overcasted by legendary Dr.Lecter :) Once you watch the movie you will realise the purpose behind the emphasis on the importance of both of these charatcers being strong male portrayals.If this match was not made. The would have to rethink the entire movie. Or better yet.Scrap it an abandon ship!! As I mentioned in the opening to my review, being a werewolf although is commonly considered as a curse, to some it is a gift bestowed upon them. There is 2 sides to every story, there is 2 sides to any movie. An interesting factor which was very weakly brought out was this movie has 3 sides to it. This is the point where I felt the Wolfman lost its Modjo!! This is the point where to me, the wolfman went from Horror to a mere suspense thriller. When you give an opening of sheer genius witha pinch of a spine tingling chill, you need to meet that standard right through out. After all , they set the expectations themselves.This is point where the movie begins to fall out of place. This is why I reffered to the script and the direction being weak. I sincerely gave this movie a chance. However with the 2 leads being actors of such heavy presence, I feel Joe Johnston could have gotton more creative.Nothing was nail biting, nothing was heartstopping and nothing , simply nothing made me go into shock. However at this point I have to say, The cast was perfection, The costuming , The visuals, The effects,the shapeshifting, the musical score was inches lesser than perfection. The movie was by all means entertaining , yet ; IT …JUST….. DIDNT … HAVE…. THE …CHILLS…OF …A….HORROR…..MOVIE…… It was 2 hours well spent …….. I am just a regular movie buff and this is just how I saw the movie and how I felt about it - No more no less…..

Written by Troy Manatunga