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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pulsepounding Fun At Its Very Best!, 4 Mar 2008
For as long as I've watched movies, my own personal yearning has seen me lean more towards the horror genre.
At least with a horror movie, more often than not, you will be guaranteed some form of entertainment.
Such is a case in point with this superlative lycanthropic tale based upon the best seller by Gary Brandner and co written by the kings of low budget cinema, John Sayles and Terence Winkless.
I say co-written, but as has become apparent, the script submitted by Winkless lack shall we say, that certain bite, and Sayles being the more literate of the two was drafted in to give the movie a complete transformation.
Of course being in the hands of first time director at that time, Joe Dante, would become the beloved cult classic that we know and love today.
However all things being equal, this movie's lack of success was more or less down to the much bigger hyped other lycanthrope movie being unleashed at the same time, and that movie being of course John Landis's 'An American Werewolf In London' Can we ever compare the two, perhaps not, perhaps maybe my personal choice of the two, would have me leaning towards Joe Dante's directorial debut.
I've always held a deep affection for the low budget B movie, sure enough I watched quite a few in my time, and to be truthful I have been left jaded by many.
However, the spirit that pervades this movie has carried it through the decades, and indeed this movie like so many that have since gone on to spawn a franchise has perhaps had it's reputation somewhat dragged through the mud, but this movie for me represents pure pulse pounding fun at its very best! When it comes to special effects, every artist has his or her own trademark, everyone knows that Rick Baker concocts a mean looking Gorilla, as that is his speciality, and he has carried that trend through many a movie.
Likewise, the same can be said for the work of Rob Bottin, another genius in his chosen field. If you never saw his name attached to movies like 'Legend' but you witnessed the many wonderful creations on show within the movie, you identify instantly that work you see with that of the artist who placed it all together.
This is a horror movie, that carries all before it. Great direction, groovy special effects, an eerie atmosphere that lingers throughout, a well written and literate script and best of all, a legendary list of character actors, who belong to that well cherished list of who's who in the horror world hall of fame.
Without hesitation. 10/10
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