Universal Pictures credit themselves with starting the horror movie genre with the release of their classic 1923 film The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Over the next 30 years, they would deliver other first-rate horror films like Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and the Wolf Man (1941).
Now almost 70 years later, Universal is unleashing a remake of their vintage werewolf story with Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins in the leads with a fine supporting cast that includes Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) and Hugo Weaving (The Matrix).
It is 1890 and Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro), a stage actor, is in London for a performance. Before he can return home to America, he receives a letter from his brother’s fiancee, Gwen (Blunt), telling him that his brother is missing. Lawrence returns to where he grew up for the first time in many years and his father, Sir John (Hopkins), is very happy to see him.
A short time later, the mutilated body of Lawrence’s brother is discovered in a ditch. At the request of Gwen, Lawrence agrees to find out what happened to his brother.
Most villagers believe there is a crazed lunatic on the loose, but there are a few that think this savagery is the work of a beast. One night while Lawrence is out looking for answers, not a man, but indeed a beast attacks and Lawrence is bitten by it.
After Lawrence miraculously recovers from wounds that would have killed any other man, the villagers become very suspicious of him. Scotland Yard Inspector Abberline (Weaving) arrives to investigate the strange occurrences that are taking place.
When the first full moon rises, Lawrence and the villagers worst dreams become true – another beast is born!
The gloomy, gray sky, the dark, dreary castle and the pitch black woods created by Oscar-winning production designer Rick Heinrichs (Sleepy Hollow) combined with the spooky music of Danny Elfman (Spider- Man 3) capture perfectly the eerie feelings that Universal’s monster movies of the past had.
The funny thing is Elfman’s score was originally rejected because it was felt that it did not fit the tone of the movie and Universal was set to replace him. Luckily, Universal changed their mind and decided to stick with Elfman. Good choice!
Writers Andrew Kevin Walker (Sleepy Hollow) and David Self (Road to Perdition) stick pretty closely to Curt Siodmak original 1941 screenplay with a few of their own twists. The pace is a little slow in the beginning, but after the first full moon director Joe Johnston (Hidalgo) speeds up the action and the result is some very thrilling scenes.
Anthony Hopkins is quite capable of playing Sir John Talbot, as he has played several very similar characters in the past. Hugo Weaving’s Abberline character is very much like his popular Agent Smith role that he played in The Matrix movies. The only difference is one takes place in the distant past and the other takes place in the distant future.
Emily Blunt is the beauty to Del Toro’s beast. She has what it takes to fulfill this role. While it is very difficult to surpass the legendary performance of Lon Chaney Jr., Benicio Del Toro, with the help of his intense eyes, does a decent job.
It was nice to see Geraldine Chaplin, daughter of screen icon Charlie Chaplin, have a role in this movie as the grim gypsy Maleva. I didn’t realize she still acted after being a part of the cinema world for almost 50 years.
While this remake of The Wolfman doesn’t match the success of its 1941 original, it is still much better than the 90’s remakes of Frankenstein and Dracula.