The Wolfman

How else would a Christian Movie Reviewer rate this undeniably un-christian movie, but with a rating somewhere between an obvious negative to a well deserved zero? Also take into consideration this movie was hyped to the max online and in the entertainment medias as a tantalizing chiller, only to fall flat and disappointing when finally seeing it on the big screen.

Now the movie-goer has paid to see a film that had a lot of potential to wow us and scare us and has to sit through nearly two hours of a ho-hum rendition full of Victorian angst and special effects and nothing else new or exciting. Even Rotten Tomatoes, rooted in “the world” has the rating at a low 30%, ruling that, although its “Suitably grand and special-effects laden, ‘The Wolfman’ suffers from a suspense-deficient script and a surprisingly lack of genuine chills.”

Set in the late 1880s, the Wolfman clings loosely to the plotline of the original, with Lawrence Talbot (a noticeably miscast Benicio Del Toro) returning home to England and Talbot Manor following the death and disappearance of his younger brother, Ben. After many years living away in America, Lawrence finds himself having to sort through his painful and traumatizing childhood upon once again meeting his distant and controlling father, Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins).

Not even recently arrived Scotland Yard inspector Aberline (Hugo Weaving) can deduce a rational explanation for the gruesome spell that has been cast over Blackmoor, with rumors of an ancient curse as told to Aberline by the frightened and mistrusting residence of the dark and brooding village.

According to the legend, a human once bitten by the Wolfman will experience a horrific transformation by the light of the full moon, their animal rage becoming far too powerful for their human bodies to contain. As noted in the beginning credits to the film:

“Even the man who’s pure of heart and says his prayers at night
May become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.”

The 2010 version of the classic Wolfman film details events during Lawrence’s past that led to his estrangement from his father and ancestral home. The settings are changed from the mythical Welsh village of Llanwelly to the English village of Blackmore and takes place there, in the moors that surround it with a camp of mysterious Gypsies lodging there for good measure, as well as in the city of London.

The official synopsis states Talbot was traumatized by his mother’s death as a child, while Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt) his brother’s fiancée, is the one who writes to Lawrence and asks him to find his brother’s killer. Following his brother’s brutal murder, Lawrence returns to fall in love with Gwen and hunt down the murderer, which turns out to be a crazed and ravenous werewolf. In the end, Lawrence uncovers a terrifying truth within his own lineage, and, through the course of the morbid story, we find the horrifying curse is passed on.

Although little foul language was uttered throughout this film (2 h*lls, 2 d*mns, 1 “Holy Mother of G*d”), and only minor nudity (statues) and 1 kiss, the rating of “R” is correct. It was rumored that, in the beginning, the film’s editors had been directed to either re-edit or change the PG-13 rating to an R for strong bloody violence and horror. The plenteous scenes full of blood, screaming, death, slashing, biting, dismembering, decapitations, and human entrails strewn through the moors, the streets and almost every place one can imagine could garner nothing less! This is not a movie for anyone who loves the Lord, is a Christian, has spiritual convictions and morals, and/or a parent who desires to pass those values onto their kids. The horribly gruesome special effects aside, this film is not for children of any age or discerning Christians.

I need not go into great detail, as the obvious story of “The Wolfman” is one dealing with witchcraft, the soul which is cursed, and the dark side which Satan rules. According to the Word of God, all kinds of witchcraft (curses, black or white magic), or any charms for protection or destruction, all are bad, no matter what, or no matter how, they are represented. Any manor of witchcraft or anything associated with it, as the Gypsies were in this film, is of Satan.

Christian people do not need any protection from Satan’s side. God is greater than the defeated Satan, also God’s angels are stronger than Satan’s army of evil spirits and fallen angels.

According to Psalms 34:7, God’s angel guards those who honor the Lord and rescues them from danger—not any person, utterance, or thing, such as the amulet shown as a protective piece worn by Ben and recovered by Lawrence in this film. An amulet (often said to guard against witchcraft or, in the case of “The Wolfman,” to protect the characters of Ben and Lawrence) is worn to ward off evil spirits, while a talisman supposedly transmits power to the wearer. Often it is covered with figures or words that are alleged to avert evil, as in this film’s story. It is an insult to God for believers to wear such trinkets when they have a marvelous promise per Psalm 50:15 and 91:2, 11.

Christians should never get involved with witchcraft of any kind, even for a good and noble purpose, like the character of Gwen in “The Wolfman” and those referred to in stories like this one. Not even Gwen’s love could save Lawrence, nor a silver bullet to the heart. The only stirring of the heart for true salvation, is that found in the acceptance of the resurrection power in the person of Jesus Christ Himself.

The Bible speaks of the danger of ignorance, in God’s people (Hosea 4:6) and how risky it is even to bring things God classes as abomination into our homes (Deuteronomy 7:25-26) and lives. Unfortunately, our generation is so ignorant of God’s Word that it has been too simple for Satan to attack our youth, almost at will. It is on that somber note, I strongly conclude the concerned Christian stay away from and defend your kids from seeing this film and those like it, period!

What could have been an exploration into the mind and heart of a tortured soul and perhaps even in his redemption in the end, “The Wolfman” is just the empty shell of the original story with not one new twist to make it stand out. It is billed as a remake, but I found the original 1941 version far more brilliant. It dealt with the inner turmoil of a man whose soul was lost to evil and how he ended up. A reflection of how the lost sinner will end up, who never accepts the life changing forgiveness of and belief in our Savior, Jesus Christ, and his transforming power over our hearts and lives.

The 2010 version of “The Wolfman,” for all it’s cinematic luster and top ranked actors, left me totally bored, not to mention worried over the affects it may have on the lost souls who view it and accept it’s lore of curses and werewolves to be fact! I kept looking at my watch wondering when all the blood, gore and screaming was ever going to end—and let me out of the theater. Although Universal Studios was at one time the king of monster movies, “The Wolfman” 2010 has missed the mark.

Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: Minor

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