On W List of Movie Reviews
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Wolfen (1981)
Rate:
4
Viewed:
2/04, 7/25
7/25:
1981 was the year of werewolves, resulting in three films.
Only one is eternally forgettable, and that's Wolfen. It's not even a movie. There are no werewolves,
too! Instead, it's a bunch of thespians going in circles while trying to solve a series of murders with an
occasional thermographic point-of-view scene through the wolves. Along the way, there are some pathetic
scare 'em moments.
There's no mystery from start to finish. It's just cops being too dumb to realize this was the work of an
animal. How about that New York City? I've never seen it to be so depopulated. Is the filmmakers telling me
not one single drug addict or homeless person can be spotted in any of the abandoned buildings on that pile of
rubbish?
The film's main attraction is Albert Finney. Halfway through, I started wondering, "What is he doing in this
piece of shit, and what's with his fluffy hairdo?" It's an absolute waste of his talent. Ditto for putting up
with the most annoying character of the show played by Gregory Hines who won't shut...the...hell...up.
Finally, a wolf got him, but it's been a long wait.
When Wilson and Neff were having sex in her apartment, is Michael Wadleigh telling me that a wolf watched
them doing it? No wonder this is the only film he has ever directed. At the end, it's clear that wolves
attack those who are disturbing the ground. Yet why was Tom Noonan's character killed given that he was on
their side and had done nothing against them?
All in all, if the highlight of Wolfen is the totally naked Edward James Olmos pretending to be a wolf
while running around on the beach, then you know it's a certified turkey.