The marketing machine has been in overdrive the past few weeks pushing a little Universal Monster movie called THE WOLFMAN. A remake of the original 1941 Universal film The Wolf [space] Man which starred Lon Chaney Jr. in the titular role this one stars Franky Four Fingers, Hannibal Lecter, Agent Smith and... um, Emily Blunt.
Though I'm excited for a reboot of the 69-year-old franchise, I have a bad feeling about this one.
Why?
Well the original director walked out 3 weeks before the start of principal photography.
Then its release date was moved from November 2009 to February 2010.
Then a new editor was brought in to re-cut the film.
THEN a new composer was brought in to replace some guy named DANNY ELFMAN.
You can read an interview with Director Joe Johnston where he details these trials and tribulations and his unenviable position of being the man to pick up the pieces in this LA Times article HERE.
Interesting trivia: According to this other Times article HERE, Gene Simmons from KISS and David Lee Roth from Van Halen did auditioned as wolf howls for the film. AWESOME.
Now I realize that "that's the film biz" and stuff like this happens all the time and good movies still happen in spite of things like this. But I also know that when I saw that first trailer, I was left with two feelings: 1) "Oh it's a period piece?" and 2) "ho-hum."
I know, too, that I tend to like my werewolf movies more WOLF than MAN and this make-up job by Rick Baker evokes the original film by being very much like the title. A "wolf man."
Early reviews are saying it's big on gore, low on scary, and so-so in the end. But, hey, it IS a monster movie from the company that invented the classic monsters. A good cast, a great make-up artist and a director with some hits under his belt, not to mention spooky forests, a full moon, and a freaking WEREWOLF are certainly all in its favor for a Halloween Addict.
Plus what other choice do you have in the theater this weekend?
Valentine's Day?!?
--shudder--
5 comments:
I have also read, and heard, mixed reviews of the film, but I'm looking forward to seeing it. Even if it isn't the greatest film ever, it has enough going for it to get my $8. I like the cast, Rick Heinrichs is the films production designer, which means it will look pretty and I like that thing Rick Baker does.
Up until last week I wasn't so thrilled about seeing it. Because of all the delays it's had, I was pretty sure the film was going to be a mess. But the big disappointment for me was learning that Danny Elfman's score was to be replaced by a new score from Paul Haslinger. Luckily, the studio changed their minds at the last minute and put the Elfman score back. I heard samples of the Haslinger score on YouTube, and while I don't think it's terrible music, I would not have liked it in this type of film.
Interesting. Thanks for the info Belle Dee. I didn't know the Elfman score was restored.
If you do check it out, let me know what you think.
Saw it. It's pretty good. Hugo Weaving actually nearly steals the movie despite only being in a handful of scenes.
The first 30 minutes are a little slow, but it picks up tremendously through to the end. Even my wife liked it.
Definitely worth it. But I'm also a huge Wolf Man fan. He's my favorite monster next to Frankenstein.
Thanks for the review Paxton!
Now that it's been out a week, horror blogs are posting reviews and many seem to be positive.
Think I may just check this one out.
I'm wondering if I should re-watch the original before going to the remake... hmmmm...
I'm a bit ashamed of myself that I haven't been to see this one yet. Maybe I'll go this weekend. I really want to see it before it leaves theaters.
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