'The Wolfman' bites

By Mike Vorel

Published Feb. 16, 2010

"The Wolfman" is yet another example of a classic horror film that should have never been remade.

The movie, directed by Joe Johnston, centers on Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro), a classically trained Shakespearean actor who is called back home after the vicious murder of his brother Ben and two other townspeople. What ensues is an orgy of senseless violence and gore with some semblance of a plot jammed in between.

Del Toro fails miserably as a leading man, dragging his character through the film with as little emotion as possible, slinging bad clichés and shoddy dialogue. Everything he says is delivered in an over-the-top, dramatic and almost inaudible whisper, as if he were an 1891 version of Jack Bauer.

Anthony Hopkins plays Del Toro's brooding father, Sir John Talbot. Although his performance isn't forgettable, he seems to struggle within the trite dialogue and lackluster plotline in which he is consumed.

If there is a bright spot, it comes in the form of Emily Blunt, who plays Gwen Conliffe, Ben Talbot's former fiancée and Lawrence's sole love interest. She is the only believable character in the lot and her only fault in "The Wolfman" is choosing to take part in it in the first place.

Blunt's performance alone doesn't overshadow the simulated action, which engulfs most of the screen time. The scenes of violence resemble professional wrestling, with people flying through tables and windows left and right. The action does not even attempt believability and the plot is about as good as one can expect from a movie about werewolves. "The Wolfman" falls flat on its face.

If anything, this movie might provide a little unintended humor, purely because of its absurdity. Given the choice, it's still probably better than "Valentine's Day."