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2 1/2 Stars

An atmospheric look and clever use of lighting and sound design elevate an uninspired script by Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self. Director Joe Johnston keeps the narrative moving along at a brisk pace. However the gratuitous violence sometimes depicted as cartoonish and other times gruesomely realistic, rob the film of any consistent tone. Benicio Del Toro is mis-cast as an English heir who is bitten by the Wolf and quickly begins transforming into a night creature himself.
Anthony Hopkins seems to be the only one in on the joke playing his character (appropriately) in the vein of ‘Christopher Lee’ and ‘Peter Cushing’, from early ‘Hammer Horror’ films of the 1950’s. A couple of good jumps are scattered throughout, but did the script have to be this tired? The ending sequence hints at the possibility of a sequel, maybe next time the screenwriters will come up with a more compelling story.

Director: Joe Johnston
Stars: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt