By: Addison Wylie

It’s funny to see Entertainment One attached to Wolves.  It almost acts as an apology to werewolf fanatics who may have been bothered by the studio’s Twilight series.

Even though Wolves wipes our memories of Taylor Lautner and his chiseled abs sprinting through the woods, David Hayter’s toothy flick isn’t anything too special.  It’s a serviceable film with pop-up gems.

Cayden is at that usual stage a young man hits in his teens: he’s misunderstood and has the urge to transform into a wolf when provoked.  When an incident during a football game and an accident at home send him into a confused state, Cayden hits the road and becomes a drifter.  Soon, he’s befriended by an unusual barfly named Wild Joe (played by John Pyper-Ferguson) and told to head to Lupine Ridge for answers regarding his killer condition.

There, Cayden (played by Lucas Till) meets strange people who have a hankering for intimidating visitors and chowing down on them when the guest udders the wrong word or gives an incorrect glance.  There’s more to Lupine Ridge, however.  And, Cayden is about to find out.

The romance that bubbles between Cayden and local bar owner Angel (played by Merritt Patterson) is the only semblance of anything tween-like in this fantasy for grown-ups.  Otherwise, Hayter offers a lore to which he sticks by, and follows through with a story that sets the bar very low – making it easy for movie goers to watch and like.

The most credible details about Wolves can be found in the fight choreography and in the make-up.  Both are top-notch.  The stunt work is exciting, and Hayter allows a tolerable distance between the camera and his buff actors.  The make-up – along with other practical effects – are convincing and will receive the proper reactions from audience members.

Despite having strengths, Wolves is forgettable afterwards because of how it blends into other fairly generic monster movies.  However, you’l have a ball watching it in the theatre.  Hayter’s flick holds our attention, and has our mouth watering during those breakneck brawls.

**********

Wolves has its North American premiere at TAD on:

Sunday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. @ Scotiabank Theatre

Realted Links:

For more information on the festival, visit the official TAD webpage here.

Buy tickets here.

TAD Coverage:

Wylie Writes reviews ‘Suburban Gothic’

Do You Tweet? Follow These Tweeple:

Toronto After Dark: @TADFilmFest
Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie