Monsterwolf

I do have an in general intense dislike for Syfy's movies, so I was expecting Monsterwolf, judging from its somewhat cash-in title, to be of poor quality. Actually, Monsterwolf was better than I expected. The film does have some good photography and scenery, had an interesting idea and the film does start off very well. However, as an overall film it is not very good. I did like the idea very much, but the story here is executed in a ridiculous and predictable manner, complete with some inane ideas such as how the guns were handled and the whole back-story involving Maria. The film for Syfy doesn't look too bad photography wise, but while the effects are not as shoddy as you would expect they are largely inconsistent with the design of the wolf throughout being rather hit-and-miss. On top of that, the script is often generic, the characters are cardboard cut-outs and the actors overall don't connect to their characters. The direction is derivative too, and while not as meandering or as boring as other Syfy projects, the pace particularly in the middle can be dull. All in all, better than I thought but in all honesty it isn't a good movie. 3/10 Bethany Cox

Unscrupulous oil company boss Stark (Robert Picardo) orders his workmen to blast an ancient Indian artifact with C4 explosives, unleashing Monsterwolf, a vicious, shoddily-rendered, CGI animal spirit dedicated to defending native Americans in their time of need.

Monsterwolf doesn't like workmen. Monsterwolf doesn't like litterbugs. Monsterwolf doesn't like sell-outs. Monsterwolf doesn't like drunk drivers. Monsterwolf doesn't like being hit by a truck. Monsterwolf doesn't like mercenaries. Monsterwolf doesn't like Stark. And I sure as hell didn't like Monsterwolf, yet another crappy, low budget SyFy production sent to test the patience of horror fans.

Poor performances, a generic script, dreadful direction and cheezy special effects all go to make this one hell of a chore to sit through. A heavy-handed score works hard to inject some urgency and excitement into proceedings but is woefully unsuited to the lacklustre action. Worst of all, perhaps, is a truly amateurish animated sequence that tells of the Indian legend of the Monsterwolf.

2.5 out of 10, generously rounded up to 3 for Leonor Varela as tasty tattooed hotshot lawyer Maria, who swaps her power-suit for a tight white vest to battle the beast, and for Jon Eyez' laughable performance as hired killer Coughlin, the actor doing a half-assed impression of Ving Rhames from Pulp Fiction for his role.

That is right I got this movie for 50 P on Blu Ray. I wondered how bad it could be. This was before I worked out I had just bought a Sci fi Channel movie.

It has Robert Picardo from Voyager in it. He hams it up really rather well. Also The utterly gorgeous Leonor Varela. Not only can she act but she is also the main reason I liked this movie.

The story is typical nonsense. A spiritual wolf is protecting the ancient Indian burial ground gets lets loose evil frackers and oil workers. Who will win the battle between the monster wolf and them, etc. We have all heard it before.

They effects department switches between some pretty ropey cgi and what looks to be a prosthetic head. It conveys the monster is out there. That is about as good as it gets.

The acting is first rate for what it a fun attempt at a horror flick. This is a average action horror movie.

Also it stars Leonor Varela who is gorgeous. It is worth watching if it comes on the horror channel or the Sci fi channel.

Not scary. Most of the film is a soap opera about small town girl Maria having left for New York City, now returning to reconnect with old boyfriend and realize that There's No Place Like Home.

Other reviewers have listed this film's many idiocies. I'll list some that haven't been mentioned yet:

* Maria is an attorney for an evil oil company. In the middle of the film, she announces that she's changing sides. She's quitting her client, and intends to represent the other side.

In real life, Maria would be disbarred for that. You can't represent one side in a dispute, then switch to the other side in the same dispute. It violates attorney-client privilege. Maria would know her first client's plans, legal strategies, strengths and weaknesses, etc.

* Maria is attacked by the wolf in the middle of the night. By the time the police are there, taking her statement, it must be well past midnight. Then two women (one of them a teenager) show up with a fruit basket to make Maria feel better.

Huh? How did they know that Maria had just been attacked? Shouldn't they be asleep at home? And what's a teenage girl doing coming out so late, to pick up a fruit basket from the grocery store to take to Maria?

The writer wanted to show that small town folk care about Maria, inspiring her change of heart. But an intelligent writer would have set that scene for the next day.

Can't believe this work of art missed out on any nominations. It's a scandal!