As a long-time fan of horror movies and a connoisseur of all things werewolf, I must say that 2010’s “The Wolfman” left quite an impression on me – one that still lingers to this day. Being a child of the 80s, I grew up with the classic Universal Monsters, and this film paid homage to those timeless tales in a way that resonated deeply with me.
I’ve always been a huge fan of scary movies, and I’ve seen most of the best horror movies.
However, one area that I feel I’m sorely lacking in is with old, Universal horror movies. I’ve seen Frankenstein and Dracula, but I’m sad to say that I’ve never seen The Mummy, The Invisible Man, or Creature from the Black Lagoon.
I HAVE seen the 1941 The Wolf Man, though (since I absolutely adore werewolf movies), and I’m super excited for next year’s Wolf Man reboot from Blumhouse. That said, one werewolf movie that I rarely hear anyone talking about is 2010’s The Wolfman, and I aim to rectify that. Here’s why.
First Off, It’s An Excellent Period Piece
Currently, my knowledge about Universal monster movies might not be as extensive as I aspire, but that doesn’t diminish my profound affection for gothic horror. Movies like “Interview with the Vampire”, “Sleepy Hollow”, and “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” resonate deeply within me. When I came across the trailers for “The Wolfman”, it ignited an excitement, a rapid heartbeat, in the most delightful manner possible.
The movie, The Wolfman, certainly did not fall short of expectations. It immerses viewers in its 1890s atmosphere with horse-drawn carriages, lanterns, and traditional medicine reminiscent of the era. Directed by Joe Johnston, who excels at period dramas, The Wolfman seamlessly embodies the time it portrays.
The tale revolves around an American actor (Del Toro) who journeys back to his ancestral British home for his brother’s burial, and I find myself captivated by its nostalgic charm. What draws me in are the antiquated pubs, grand estates, and eerie mental institutions.
Additionally, I’m captivated by those vast, enveloping forests. The movie exudes an eerie, immersive ambiance that effortlessly embraces its characters.
I’m particularly fond of the distinguished sideburns on Hugo Weaving’s character in “The Wolfman.” This movie immerses you in an era predating televisions and smartphones, and I find that nostalgic feel quite appealing.
It Also Respects The Classic Original
I’m quite excited about the new “Wolf Man” movie, particularly since I learned it was inspired by “The Fly.” However, unlike the 1941 original, this version seems to be set in a contemporary era. That’s not a problem at all; I’m just saying that’s how it appears.
Although I haven’t watched the original 1933 “The Invisible Man”, I really liked Leigh Whannell’s 2020 remake (which received a positive review from us), so I’m excited to see what he’ll do with the 2025 “Wolf Man”. However, upon watching the trailer multiple times, I don’t notice many similarities between it and the 1941 “The Wolf Man”, aside from a character getting attacked by a wolf and eventually transforming into one.
Modernity is cool and all, but I still want to praise 2010’s The Wolfman for sticking to some of the story beats that made the 1941 movie a classic. Such as the premise of a man returning home to bury his brother and reuniting with his estranged father. In both versions, our protagonist has been away for a while, and he is drawn back into this world due to a death.
In both movies, there’s a notable bond between the father and son characters. To clarify, in the original film (a 1941 classic), the father character, portrayed by Claude Rains, unknowingly battles and ultimately kills his own werewolf son, Lon Chaney Jr., with a silver cane. This act disturbs him deeply once he learns of his son’s true identity as a werewolf.
In the 2010 adaptation, Anthony Hopkins portrays a more sinister character because his role is that of a werewolf who bites his own son in the initial encounter. This twist on the original story adds a touch of reverence to the remake. I’m eagerly awaiting the new version, but I can’t help but appreciate the 2010 take on the wolf tale.
That Said, It Is Really Violent And Modern
Although I previously mentioned that the 2010 film isn’t set in contemporary times, it doesn’t imply that it lacks modern violence. In fact, despite its nods to the 1941 original, The Wolfman is very much a movie reflecting its era – and that era certainly had no shortage of bloodshed.
The movie titled “The Wolfman” carries a Rated-R classification due to its graphic content. A notable instance involves a wolfman savagely attacking a camp, fatally clawing a character at the back of his skull in one scene. Another disturbing sequence depicts the wolfman brutally disemboweling terrified victims, followed by its chaotic rampage through London.
As a fanatic, I’m utterly captivated by this work because it subverts expectations in the most delightful way. Here we have an atmosphere steeped in late Victorian elegance, yet it’s not conventional society dramas about impending nuptials that unfold. Instead, we’re dealing with a terrifying werewolf tearing through people! It’s like savoring a finely brewed tea while a wild beast prowls just beyond the drawing room door – quite exhilarating!
It brings to mind the time around the mid-2010s when we saw a wave of films that were spin-offs from Seth Grahame–Smith novels, like “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” and “Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter,” but they weren’t intended to be comedic.
To put it simply, watching The Wolfman in 2010 was similar to experiencing a live-action adaptation of the Castlevania cartoon on the big screen – something I, being a huge fan of Castlevania, found quite appealing. In other words, if you know me, you’d understand that I found The Wolfman to be a close second to a live-action version of my beloved Castlevania series.
Benicio Del Toro Makes For An Excellent, Haunting Lead
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve always admired Benecio Del Toro for his incredible ability to transform into any character on screen, just like how a gamer adapts to various roles in different video games. For instance, you might have seen him in the Netflix movie titled “Reptile.
He was terrifying as a prosecutor-turned-assassin in Sicario, and yet, hilarious (and often unrecognizable) as the attorney in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I’m convinced he could play any role you throw at him, and that’s including a man who is haunted by lycanthrophy.
Del Toro’s character, played by the actor Lawrence, finds himself in a world that, while once known, now seems foreign. This is because del Toro’s character carries deep-seated doubts and fears. Additionally, he grapples with the haunting specter of his mother’s death, an event from his past that he struggled to comprehend as a young man, leading him to repress it over time.
To begin with, I must confess that I’ve always been drawn to characters with an edge, and this man, right off the bat, seems to be teetering on that line of sanity. But things take a darker turn when he starts secluding himself at night, a move that hints at a looming nightmare where he may unleash a horrific rampage.
The exceptional aspect of this act is that he executes it with a sense of fear, not only for himself but also for those around him. This is an unexpectedly nuanced portrayal in a boisterous character, and if you’re merely focusing on the werewolf combat, you might overlook Del Toro’s remarkable understated acting. However, let me assure you that there’s one performance you undeniably will notice…
And I Just Can’t Praise Anthony Hopkins Enough For His Scenery-Chewing Performance
It’s common knowledge that Anthony Hopkins’ role in “The Silence of the Lambs” spans just 16 minutes, yet he makes the most of each and every moment, delivering exceptional acting that ultimately led to his Academy Award win.
In a nutshell, despite the fact that Hopkins has the ability to deliver understated performances, he doesn’t hold back in “The Wolfman”. Instead, he delivers a highly dramatic and flamboyant performance that seems almost excessive.
In the movie, I step into the role of a patriarch, and unlike del Toro’s character who views his transformation as torment, I relish in it. For me, it brings immense joy to tear apart fellow humans and savor them for a meal.
This is a great contrast to his son, who views himself as a monster. But, you can just tell that Hopkins is having a great time playing a cad. Even so, there is nuance to his performance since you don’t know until later that he’s been the initial wolfman the entire time.
Upon multiple viewings, it’s apparent that his smile conceals his affliction in an unusual manner. Initially, he appears quite peculiar because he doesn’t express fear but rather curiosity about the notion of a roaming werewolf. Frankly, I wouldn’t appreciate this film as much without Hopkins’ exceptional portrayal. It’s truly outstanding.
For more news on the upcoming Wolf Man, be sure to swing by here often.
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2024-11-30 04:07