Big Bad Wolf

SEPTEMBER 12, 2007

GENRE: COMEDIC, WEREWOLF
SOURCE: DVD (STORE RENTAL)

Yet another movie that was negatively recommended to me, Big Bad Wolf was actually pretty damn fun. As I’ve said before, I usually dislike werewolf movies, but I had a good time watching this, despite some groan-inducing moments, plus a big fuck you from the DVD company, who play some trailers when you hit the “PLAY MOVIE” option from the main menu. Remember kids: a movie and a trailer for other movies from the same company are TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT FUCKING THINGS.

Like I said, it’s not a perfect film. The wolf makes wisecracks, most of which are pretty terrible. Luckily there’s only about a dozen in the film. There’s also a truly idiotic moment where a guy breaks into the bad guy’s office to retrieve a DNA report the bad guy had stolen from him. Not only does he stick around to read the thing rather than just take it and leave, but then he stops to take a photo of it! It’s YOUR fucking report dude! Then he gets even STUPIDER, sticking around even longer by sending a text message! Christ. And while the werewolf is a genuine man in suit for the most part, the CG transformation is pretty bad (though we only have to see it once, and it’s quick).

Otherwise the movie is much better than I expected. Not only is it impossible to dislike a film that even features, let alone stars Richard Tyson (Buddy!), but there’s a lot of decent twists to what could have been a very generic movie. The first 10 minutes or so would have you believe that the film was going to be the umpteenth variation on the “A bunch of kids in a cabin get killed one by one by a monster” story, but then suddenly almost all the kids are gruesomely killed and the movie becomes more like The Stepfather (not surprising since a character’s name is Joe Ruben), implementing a surprising bit of suspense into the proceedings as the bland lead and his super cute (but unfortunately over-facially-pierced) would-be girlfriend go about trying to prove his asshole stepfather is in fact a wisecracking, refreshingly non CGI werewolf.

And the fairly-originality doesn’t stop there. The werewolf rapes one of the dumb girls, which elicits the response “She was a virgin you monster!”, and the ending is a bit of a downer. But most importantly, the movie comes up with the single best way to ‘prove’ the main suspect is a werewolf. I don’t want to give it away, but let’s just say it includes the love interest of the protagonist blowing his stepdad in order to get his DNA.

Oh, wait. Sorry.

There’s actually a lot of off-kilter sexuality in the film. In addition to the oral (the resulting fight between the girl and the kid is pretty amazing as well, with lines like “I’ll give you a call if I need someone to fuck him to death!”, complete with sad music) and the werewolf rape, there’s also a character who enjoys kinky sex with his girlfriend (the cute lead from the otherwise execrable Dead Man’s Hand), asking her if she will watch him jerk off while he wears her underwear (!!!). Later, they are making love against a tree and she keeps muttering how she can’t feel anything. What the hell? I’m surprised the director didn’t work in any incest while he was it (though there is a hint that the main kid’s uncle has designs on his brother’s wife).

There’s some other minor in-jokes and some decent gore throughout the film, adding to the enjoyment. And the end credits song is one of the best alt-rock power ballads I have heard in the end credits of a horror film since Brother Cane’s ‘And Fools Shine On’ in Halloween 6. Unfortunately the commentary is a total bore, as the director merely praises everyone (including the boom operator, and more than once) and points out filming locations and things that were shot after principal photography. Dude, you made a movie where a girl has to blow her boyfriend’s step-dad to prove he’s a werewolf; no one watching it gives a rat’s fucking ass that the driveway is in Griffith Park while the house is in Topanga.

What say you?

15 comments:

  1. i rather enjoyed this film as well. It was part of my annual Horrorfest over the summer.

    xoxo
    - risa -

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  2. Tell me more about this horrorfest!

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  3. You know, this is one that I would have totally skipped based on dvd cover and "wisecracking werewolf" reports alone, but now I think I might have to give it a look.

    Unlike you, BC, I very much like werewolf movies, even though we only see a good one where the director/screenwriter understands what a werewolf should be once every blue moon.

    (Ya see what I did there? Try the veal!)

    Anyway, I'm surprised more movies don't couple deviant sexuality with the werewolf myth. Ever since Creighton Chaney it's always been about the dangers of the unleashed id. The Ginger Snaps series touched on this a bit, as did, laughably, the Howling sequels (Sybil Danning does it doggy style), but usually it's just "Grrr! I kill you!" A shame.

    So what do you hear about the Wolf Man remake?

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  4. Haven't heard much... but as long as Rick Baker is on board, it can't be all together bad.

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  5. The Wolf Man is my favorite classic, so I was apprehensive. But with Baker slapping yak hair on Benicio Del Toro, now I'm cautiously optimistic.

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  6. man... "and fools shine on". i totally forgot about that!

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  7. I unfortunately saw this movie last weekend, and can't believe anyone would recommend it at all. Amateurish, soft-core porn horror with bad special effects, wooden acting and ridiculous dialog. I was actually fighting to stay awake in the middle of the afternoon watching this atrocious snooze-fest. That you could even begin to compare this movie to "The Stepfather" is beyond me. "Big Bad Wolf" is garbage, through and through.

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  8. Well ymous, you and I seemingly never agree! :)

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  9. Horrorfest is simply a group of my friends getting together. Throw in some beer and horror movies and you've got yourself one hell of a good time!

    xoxo
    - risa -

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  10. HAHA, i can't remember if it was me that recommended this to you lol, i love werewolf movies and i love this one!!

    im glad you liked it!

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  11. hey BC...i constantly saw this at blockbuster but never picked it up. I read your review on it and finally ordered it through net flix...all i have to say is this movie was awesome....i laughed through it and was shocked through it...i mean come on..a werewolf ripping off a head and kicking it a screaming GOAL!!...it was terribly fantastic....so thank you for this rare comedic werewolf find....plus the werewolf is from kindergarten cop and theres something about mary...so yes..i give it 2 thumbs up and a possible amazon buy...take care and accept me on myspace.

    Kristian

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  12. Hahah you're accepted! I only log into it once or twice a week :(

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  13. This is the reason I love this site! I always check here first before watching a horror flick. I would have NEVER seen this movie without reading your review. It sounded awful from the blurb I'd read on my tv but I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the reviews!

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  14. Great movie if you watch it with open mind ! Werewolf was very funny and scary at same time. Story, very good. Very well recorded, fantastic scenes--like budget was very high ! Some very original stuff in it, good acting and fantastic environment. Those killing on party was quite schoking and brutal ! All in all very reccomend to all with some rebel spirit. I saw many werewolf movies, its my favorite genre and this one is oneof the best for sure !! (sorry for bad grammar)

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  15. * this scene where guy breaks into office of werewolf and watch those papers while killer is in other room talkin by phone makes you truly question his IQ ! Instead reading those papers and leave at once, he almost throw a party in that office ! Is he idiot or what !!???

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