The Wolfman: Barking at the Moon, but in a Fun way … !

You know, I’ve got to admit, as I write, the weather has taken a very muggy, cloudy, turn.

Which is a shame, in a way …

Because, considering the movie that Movie Night Adrian, Squeaky, and I were watching, tonight, I’d’ve liked to be able to tell you whether or not there’s a full moon …

Because, obviously, if you’re watching a werewolf movie, like the 2010 version of The Wolfman … ?

You want a full moon.

Or one of Ozzy Osbourne’s more poppier tunes, as an option on iTunes …

Seriously …

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And, BOY, I think I’ve got to admit, I know I enjoyed meself, watching this.

The Wolfman sees Benicio Del Toro — as Lawrence Talbot — returning to his family estate on Broadmoor, after the death of his older brother, Ben.

Who — seemingly — has been killed, after being attack by some sort creature, whilst he’s been visiting a local Gypsy* camp.

And, while Lawrence is investigating his brother’s death, he helps fend off an attack — by the same unidentified creature — on the nearby Gypsy camp.

As a result … ?

Lawrence is bitten …

By the creature …

And it’s tempting to add the phrase “With Hilarious Results”, but however ironic I’d like to be at this time of night, ‘Hilarious Results’ aren’t what happens.

Because it sees Lawrence suffer.

From childhood, we discover: he had, after all seen his mother die, seemingly as a suicide.

And see him — during the course of The Wolfman — suffering all the best in Victoria psycho-therapy.

And towards the end of the film … ?

Having something of a major fight with his father, Sir John Talbot. Played by Sir Anthony Hopkinsº.

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Now, there comes the question, though …

Is the 2010 version of The Wolfman worth watching … ?

After all, it is a remake.

And remakes, re-imaginings, re-workings — whatever one chooses to call them — do have an unfortunate reputation, for being not as good as the original on which they’re based.

I’ll be honest, here, having not seen the 1941, Lon Chaney Jnr original, I couldn’t tell you.

What I CAN tell you is fairly simple.

The Wolfman is not an arty, intellectual film, with high ideals, or a message of betterment for humanity.

What it is … ?

Is an atmospheric little horror film.

Very atmospheric!

And one with enough blood, guts, gore, romance, tension and drama, to be very riveting watching.

And a film I’d’ve not minded catching at the cinema.

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* Right, just in case I’ve any offended Romani readers, I’m using the term Gypsy, as that’s the one used in the film: I’ll stick with it — for this post — as I’m using it to indicate the fictional take on Roma culture presented in The Wolfman. However, if it’s a problem, please feel free to leave me a comment: I’ll go with whatever I’m told is the preferred term.

º Who’s used to playing monsters, after all …