Where to begin...The Marvel Cinematic Universe released Werewolf By Night special feature in October, and, well, I found it to be pretty good as a horror/thriller, but a bit weak on character development. I’ll explain what I mean, and try to avoid spoilers.
Werewolf by Night - IMDB
The basic plot is Ulysses Bloodstone has died, and his bloodstone amulet is up for grabs, and there will be a monster hunt to determine who gets the Bloodstone next, with the competitors including Jack Russell (The Werewolf), Elsa Bloodstone (the estranged daughter) and various Redshirts, I mean monster hunters. When I refer to the monster hunters, it is because there is so little character information on them, and not much dialog for them – no backstory.
In fact, Elsa Bloodstone probably has the most developed backstory in this film, and yet, the title character, Jack Russell/Werewolf by Night, has very little backstory. Who is he, how did he get the Werewolf Curse? Did they mention any of that and I missed it, or is all of those details that make The Werewolf a sympathetic character, as he is in the comics, absent without leave. Do they expect people to go dig up a copy of Marvel Spotlight #2 and find out? Granted, I read through the whole original run of Werewolf By Night earlier this year, so I know his backstory, but how many viewers are going to know it?
This film also introduces The Man-Thing into the MCU. Again, close to no backstory for him. Just a “treat him like an old friend and call him Ted” from Jack. How do they know each other, and how does Jack know Man-Thing’s name is Ted (short for Theodore – Dr. Theodore Sallis)? Yes, I read Fear back when I was a kid, and have a few issues in my collection (fun fact – Howard the Duck first appeared in Fear way back in the day...pretty sure I still have that issue in my collection). How did Jack know that Man-Thing was being used in a hunt? Come to think of it, how the heck did Jack Russell know about the hunt and how to get in? Was he invited by Monster Hunters Anonymous?
I guess I am just a bit bugged by the lack of character development for the main characters, and somewhat bugged by the lack of development of the several Ensign Expendables in the film.
Now if you are still with me, I can get to the stuff I liked about it.
Most of the film was shot in black and white, kind of a homage to The Wolf Man (1941) that starred Lon Chaney, Jr. Also, black and white film is a great format for suspense and horror, as the lighting techniques that can be used can provide interesting shadow effects, adding in the intensity of creepiness. Some of the best films were shot in black and white, especially Film Noir as well as some of Hitchcock’s best work. This was a very smart choice on the part of the production team.
The story is interesting, and moves at a good pace, and although it has a fairly good dose of violence (surprised?), it is not as graphic as some other films made in recent history.
The physical depiction of The Werewolf is fairly close to what one would expect, especially anyone who has read Werewolf by Night, and The Man-Thing is spot on, they even added some interesting facial expressions to him, which is nice touch.
Overall I thought it was a good film and well worth watching. If you haven’t seen it and have access to Disney+, break out the popcorn and root beer and give it a run. It’s worth checking out.
Thanks for stopping by.
