“The Wolfman” (2010) starring: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt & Hugo Weaving / Z-View
The Wolfman (2010)
Director: Joe Johnston
Written by: Andrew Kevin Walker, David Self based on The Wolf Man by Curt Siodmak
Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Art Malik, David Schofield, Roger Frost, Geraldine Chaplin, Rick Baker and Clive Russell.
Tagline: The legend is alive.
The Story:
The year is 1891. Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro), the famous actor, received word that his brother has disappeared. By the time Lawrence arrives at the family estate, his brother’s mutilated body has been found in the woods.
Some townsfolk believe that a wild animal did the deed. Others blame a group of gypsies that have moved into the area. A few believe that a werewolf has returned. When Lawrence visits the gypsy camp, a wild animal attacks killing several people and badly wounding Lawrence.
When Lawrence makes a unnatural recovery from wounds that should have been fatal, people believe that he was bitten by a werewolf. Anyone who survives such a bite, becomes a wolfman when the moon is full. Now Lawrence is marked for death. They believe he will turn into a werewolf at the coming full moon.
The truth is much worse.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
The Wolfman won Rick Baker and Dave Elsey the 2011 Academy Award for Best Achievement in Makeup. Their werewolf design looked like a cross between the monsters in The Wolf Man (1941) and Curse of the Werewolf (1961).
Benicio Del Toro and Emily Blunt would reteam five years later for Sicario. I’m a fan of both. Kudos also to Hugo Weaving for his performance as Inspector Francis Aberline.
Danny Elfman did the score. When the film was recut for release, Elfman was already at work on another movie and couldn’t return to adjust his music. Ultimately other composers were brought in to reshape Elfman’s work.
The Wolfman has an excellent cast. Rick Baker created a great looking werewolf. I wish Art Malik, as Singh, got more to do. He was an interesting character. You can never go wrong with Del Toro and Blunt. Getting Hopkins was a bonus.
