The Woflman

**1/2 Stars

The Wolfman is an acceptable film that is sure to entertain its intended audience. Yes, there are many laughable moments and everything falls apart in the third act, but I can't say I didn't have a horror-filled, bloody-good time. And not to sound like a broken record or anything, but it was rather refreshing. Too many blockbusters these days have me anticipating too much leaving me completely let down, or they're just downright insufferable (I won't point any fingers, but lets just say they are rooted from comic-book spin-offs, big robots, and action figures).

Ugh, I give up. I'm not fooling anybody.

The Wolfman however, delivers exactly what it promises. Some scary moments, plenty of quality kills, and a top-notch cast. For me, that's rather impressive given the films rumors of extensive delays and a hellish period in post-production.

Benicio Del Toro is an inspired choice to play an American named Lawrence Talbot, aka the man who eventually becomes the Wolfman. After Lawrence's brother is murdered by an apparent monster, he is called backed to his home in Victorian-era Great Britain to help discover the meaning behind his brother's death. Waiting for him is his brother's fiancee Gwen (Emily Blunt) and his father Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins). With the town spooked and his family in mourning, Lawrence's search for the truth begins. Little did he know that would include him getting bit by a werewolf making him bedridden for weeks only to be completely healed of all wounds until a full moon hits the sky and he becomes a monster where he hunts human flesh until the next morning when he wakes up covered in blood with no memory of what he did as the town desperately tries to put him to death.

Happy Valentine's Day.

For what it's worth, director Joe Johnston is able to sustain The Wolfman to a very watchable length, keeping it well below two hours. Sometimes it's nice to get it and get out, especially for a premise that doesn't require that much of a set-up. We don't actually see the transformation until about half way through, which is when all logic is thrown out the window and is replaced by bloody action. But you know what? I'm not complaining. The film is visually arresting and on some occasions, quietly moving. However I will admit that the third act is totally lame. In what could be the most ridiculous fight sequence since Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway in Bride Wars, The Woflman takes the cowardly way out and gives into the mass-audience's demand for third-act (and in this case, third-class) action sequences.

The movie is a toss-up. I for one never came to close to hating it and was quite interested in where the characters were heading. Hugo Weaving adds some clever wit as Inspector Abberline, who comes to town to track down the werewolf. When all is said and done, a better story would have been nice, but sometimes you have to take what you can get. So be it, The Wolfman cometh.