Howl (Blu-ray / DVD)
Matt Molgaard
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Starring Ed Speleers, Elliot Cowan, Sam Gittins, Rosie Day, Duncan Preston, Sean Pertwee
Directed by Paul Hyett
Distributed by Alchemy
Howl seems to have viewers occupying both sides of the fence. Some are raving about the feature, and others are quick to dismiss it as another forgettable werewolf pic. I’m here to tell you that while not pitch-perfect, Howl is an absurdly entertaining film with some of the coolest creature effects placed on prominent display in a lycanthropic tale. It looks great, it unravels in smooth fashion, and the tension is alive and pulsating, burrowing in the mind of the viewer. Paul Hyett’s second trip into the realm of filmmaking is no doubt a successful journey.
The story sees a group of diverse characters struggling to survive the attack of a mysterious animal. The train they’ve boarded breaks down in the middle of nowhere. The man at the helm of the train steps into the darkness to assess the unexpected problem. But he never makes it back on board, as something in the brush bursts forth and turns him into a mess of blood and guts. We don’t get a great look at what happens to this poor gent (played, or rather underplayed, by the great Sean Pertwee), but we get the gist: He’s dead meat.
It doesn’t take long for another employee to look into the absence of the man, and that’s when the severity of the situation begins to sink in. He’s gone, poof, a fart in the wind; that’s wrong, all wrong. The group attempts to flee the train, but that doesn’t go well. In fact, all that does is get one elderly woman brutally attacked. Within minutes the monster in the darkness is pounding on the train’s closed doors, and the passengers are frantic, desperate to devise a plan that will ensure they survive a shocking battle between man and monster.
Hyett does a great job of utilizing subtle shooting techniques to generate terror, and the editing (performed by the respectable Agnieszka Liggett) lends itself to a taut picture. There are slicing moments of drama that Hyett toys with aesthetically, and those moments are memorable (early into the group’s troubles Hyett uses drawn-out shots that slowly zoom in on a handful of focal characters, and the splicing of the imagery of each individual generates very real tension) and unsettling, in equal measure. The cramped confines of the train is also a well-played device; these people have nowhere to run, and that in and of itself is a disconcerting idea.
More respect gets hurled in the direction of the cast, who generally do a wonderful job. Some players are very likable, and some are complete douchebags. The film’s heroic gent, Joe (Speleers), suffers from lady problems and career setbacks. He’s painted as something of weakling, which gives Hyett time to explore the man’s personality and bestow him the gift of moxie. It’s hard not to get behind the guy, as he’s one of the genuinely decent personalities in the film. Billy (Gittins) is another one of the “good guys,” exhibiting intelligence, strength, and compassion. He plays an important role in the film, although we’re initially led to believe he’s little more than an insignificant bit player. This kid is good. Also turning in impressive work are Elliot Cowan (the egotistical asshole, Adrian), Rosie Day (the obnoxious little bitch, Nina), and Duncan Preston (Ged, the powerful and compassionate husband of the poor old dame who serves as the first to be bitten and survive). It’s a well-rounded, polished ensemble.
Hyett, who’s carved out a legendary position in the business thanks to his stunning work in Neil Marshall’s modern day classic The Descent (Hyett also worked effects for other notable pictures The Children, Eden Lake, The Sickhouse, Attack the Block, The Last Horror Movie and Gallowwalkers; the man is extremely accomplished), steps away from the special effects duties to give genre fans a very explosive and engaging werewolf story. In fact, this is one of the best werewolf films to be released in years. Given recent standout arrivals WolfCop, Wer, and Late Phases, that says a lot about the film. This is one of those must-see pictures and a piece of work that fans of the hairy beasts are going to adore. Howl is a riveting, fast-paced piece of terror that’s going to disrupt a few dreams.
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Film
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