mp99 Review of Werewolf

Werewolf (1995 Video)

When International Co-Production Runs Amok . . .

[18 April 2004]

Let's see--the leading man is Italian, the leading lady is German, the main villain is Mexican, and the co-writer/director is Iranian--all gathered in what may or may not be Flagstaff, Arizona to ineptly tell the tale of werewolves who actually look more like bats and bears and apes than werewolves, or even were-puppies, for that matter. There's also the immortal score which Keith Bilderbeck derived from his Concerto for Cello and Werewolf (sorta like how Miklos Rosza adapted his Violin Concerto into the score for THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES -- although I suspect Miklos might be a bit insulted by this suggestion), and there are brief appearances by such Z-movie stalwarts as Richard Lynch (who's really pretty good--he almost makes his little monologue full of pseudo-Indian mythology sound interesting) and Joe Estevez (who's just sort of paunchy and absurdly intense). There's also the archaeological dig that turns into a barroom brawl and the leading lady's pool game with what looks like a fey, tubby leather freak. And haven't even gotten to the real-estate agent who doesn't like to wear pants and the grounds-keeper who runs around with a shotgun and spreads lacivious gossip about Dracula's private life . ..