| The Howling (1981) Dir: Joe Dante Cast: Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Elisabeth Brooks, Christopher Stone, Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, Slim Pickens, Robert Picardo, Kenneth Tobey, Dick Miller. Rated R, Approx: 90 minutes. MGM, Video and DVD |
| The modern werewolf, it seems like a genre that would surely lend itself to a plethora of fascinating and terrifying horror films. Though other contemporary werewolf films run the gamet from average (Wolfen), to downright miserable (Werewolf), two films emerged in 1981 that would set a standard in the genre. Both John Landis' comedic monster movie An American Werewolf in London and this horror film helmed by Joe Dante (Gremlins & The 'burbs ) dropped jaws around the world thanks to some wonderful performances, plenty of scares and surprises not to mention the incredible special effects that featured something audiences had never seen before: a man turn into a werewolf right before their eyes. Featuring some stunning effects work by Rob Bottin, a great cast of performers, a slyly humorous script from John Sayles culumnating with a unique style lent to the film by director Joe Dante, this film remains a difinitive entry in the horror genre and easily one of the best werewolf films ever made. |
| Karen White (Dee Wallace) is a Los Angeles television reporter who attracts the attention of serial killer Eddie Quist (Robert Picardo of Star Trek-Deep Space Nine and Gremlins 2 fame), Quist wishes to meet with Karen whom of which he is a big fan of. The police sieze this opportunity to catch the madman using Karen as bait, but when something goes wrong, Karen is attacked by the killer, the police cut the madman down in a hail of gunfire in the nick of time, leaving Karen alive, but emotionally scarred from the event. At the request of her psyciatrist (Patrick Macnee), Karen and husband Bill (Christopher Stone) vacation at a recreational resort in rural Califronia. Things begin well enough for the Whites, but before long, her sexually frustrated husband is having an affair with a local woman (the late Elisabeth Brooks), and Karen learns slowly of the resort's secret, it's a haven for werewolves. |
| Scripted by John Sayles, The Howling is jammed with in jokes so subtle it's hard to notice them if you don't know your weight in classic werewolf films. Characters in the film are named after horror filmmakers such as William Neil, Freddie Francis, Terence Fisher, Roy William, George Waggner and many more. Adapted from the Salem's Lot style novel by Gary Brandner, Sayles takes Brandner's excellent source novel and gives it a major facelift, while still mildly recognizable, the film itself is crafted into a loving homage of the genre. Joe Dante directs this film with a straight face, infusing this film with some incredibly scary moments, the humor of Sayles' script is hidden beneath horrific proceedings winking only at knowledgable horror fans and still functioning as a straighforward monster show for all else to equally enjoy. While the brilliance of The Howling may lie in equal parts of John Sayles' script and Joe Dante's direction, perhaps the most memorable moments in the film are given courtesy of effects wiz Rob Bottin. Originally to be created by Rick Baker (who had to leave the project when John Landis went into pre production on American Werewolf), Baker had begun designs only to be replaced by Rob Bottin. It could be argued that Baker layed out the groundwork and all Bottin did was step in and work from Baker's blueprints, but that's completely unfair. Bottin's effects showcased in the film steal the show, while somewhat similar to Baker's work in Landis' film Bottin still had to do the footwork, and create the effects from scratch. Both films feature absolutely incredible transformation sequences as a man turns to werewolf right before our eyes. In The Howling, the effect is showstopping (Bottin would outdo himself one year later when working on John Carpenter's The Thing) and its impact can't be denied. |
| Lots of The Howling's impact in fact, can't be denied. Twenty years later, the film still looks as fresh and state of the art as it did when it was originally released in 1981. From the incredible fx to the clever screenplay, the film is an incredibly fun moviegoing experience. In turns funny (Dick Miller has a great role here as a book keeper) and creepy, it's a uniquely satisfying movie going experience that should win over any appreciating horror fan looking for a great time. Followed by six sequels beginning in 1985 with Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf. |
| Matt's Rating: ***** (out of 5) |
| Reviewed by Matt Serafini 1/22/02 |
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