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The transformation CG is impressive and the makeup effects are believable while still paying homage to the creature effects of the 1941 original. But the melding of the two feels off, particularly when Del Toro is galloping along like a man in makeup in front of a green screen on a treadmill. The action scenes are where the film shines, but, as I said, there are too few of these and they come too late. Even when they do occur it's as if the editor was in a hurry to get to the next scene as they seem to start and stop hastily. Disappointingly a viewing of your Planet Earth Blu Ray is probably more satisfying than the grand finale, which boils down to the equivalent of watching two dogs fight it out in the living room.
So what's the problem? Well, for one the pacing. Anytime Johnston seems to be building any form of suspense or tension he prematurely shoots his wad all over your face. Next, could be the script that lumbers along at a snail's pace, leaving the audience to mentally go, "ya ya ya, I know this part, get on with it!" Or, maybe it's the acting--from Sir Anthony masticating on the scenery to Benicio focusing ever so intensely on making his accent sound as American as he can.
The Wolfman isn't a total failure of a film, Hugo Weaving delivers a pleasant turn as Abberline, as does Emily Blunt as the widowed before her time ex-fiance Gwen. The film does have some spectacle to behold, and, while it's very disjointed, it is functional. I just wish it could have re-focused itself on what the movie was really supposed to be about, and not simply on a man who turns into a wolf.
--Greg MacLennan