The Wolfman (2010)

This remake of the classic horror fails to deliver the bite needed to compete with the original.

After Lawrence Talbot learns that his brother Ben has been killed in a vicious manner, he leaves his tour as an actor and returns home to Blackmoor to investigate. Upon arrival he is greeted with scared townsfolk, rumours of beasts and devils, and mysterious gypsies, as well as a father who is evasive and dark. Lawrence finds comfort in the form of his brother's widow, Gwen. The hunt is then on for Ben's killer, who has also brutally murdered several other citizens. It soon becomes apparent that this is no man committing these unspeakably gruesome atrocities, it is some kind of animal. After an action-packed encounter with the beast at the gypsy campsite, Lawrence is attacked and nearly dies. He heals rather quickly, and the people begin to believe he has been infected by the injuries he sustained at the hands of the beast, and will become one...He does.

A great story ruined by a terrible interpretation. The original film had a dark charm about it that glued viewers, and made it an enduring classic horror, however, director Joe Johnston does not manage to produce the same result. This version is bulky, dull, and, in places, ridiculous. Benicio Del Toro as Lawrence was a poor choice, as the actor brings absolutely no charisma to the role (which is ironic as his character is meant to be a famous actor) and seems uninterested when giving some of the lines. It seems he was given this role simply for his likeness to a beast. Emily Blunt is adequate as Gwen, and she manages to bring life to some scenes, however, her co-star lets her down. Anthony Hopkins is good as Sir John Talbot, however, his ravings and rants seem to fall on deaf ears, creating barely any sense of conflict, and the man simply stands out as being mental. The scenery is Gothic and picturesque, with a gloom around it that suits the story.

I would recommend the original Wolfman film, as it a wonderfully made horror film that has stood the test of time. Avoid this version of it though, it stinks.