Wolfen
Wolfen is one of those forgotten horror movies from the early 80’s. It has no serial killer, zombies or vampires in it, which is probably the reason this little gem is frequently overlooked. Wolfen, at its most basic, is your typical detective story with some supernatural elements thrown into the mix. Many people will mistake this for a werewolf movie, but it isn’t. To be sure, it has much to do with killer wolves, but it also is about Native American mythology and the conflict between man’s destructive temperament and the balancing forces of nature.
I was startled to realize that the director of this movie has really only directed one significant movie since he made Wolfen. Michael Wadleigh’s effort in this film is so professional and distinctive that I find it hard to believe he hasn’t managed to pull anything together since this film was made. Wadleigh manages to capture the city of New York in his own unique way, turning the toning down the concrete and ramping up the jungle in his own particular vision. I found it interesting to note how Wadleigh transforms urban decay and poverty into beautiful scenes that rival the best nature shots out there.
The best part of this movie is how well cast it is. Not only are the principle characters all respected actors with long careers, but hiding within the cast of supporting actors you will find many recognizable faces. Albert Finney plays the protagonist of the movie, a detective capable of blowing up a car by shooting two bullets at the trunk and able to outrun wolves without a moments hesitation while dragging the useless dead weight of a lame female love interest. The deceased Gregory Hines also has a particularly interesting role in the film… of course he’s black and you know what happened to black characters throughout the 80’s. Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica, American Me) plays a Native American for some reason… even though he isn’t Native American. I would put up more of a complaint, but the bastard plays his role with such fervor and expertise that it is hard to gripe.
The film moves along at a nice clip and everything looks good. There isn’t much to complain about here except for some meaningless loose ends that find themselves unresolved by the end of the movie. Sometimes the film tries to hard to prove a point, which detracts from the enjoyability of the film. Overall, it is a quality horror film that could have used a little more action, a little less preaching, and a lot more wolf action, as most of the wolf stuff that happens in the movie is from a Predator-like POV camera.
Final Synopsis: This movie is like a supernatural thriller. It isn’t a creature feature and it’s not terribly brutal. If you’re looking for a moody thriller with supernatural elements, then this will satisfy you. If you’re looking for a fast-paced horror movie, you might want to stay away. If you’re Native American, this movie is cool to watch because it shows you how ignorant white people are.
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