Director Michael Wadleigh's dark vision of the Whitley Streiber novel is an interesting blend of American Indian mysticism and modern law enforcement. I saw it when it first made the rounds on premium cable channels, HBO and the like, back in the early 1980s, and have found it a fun film to view since then. The kind of late-night horror flick we remember from our youth staying up and watching, then getting the creeps if you peek outside into the night, or climb into bed in a dark room.
I found the gritty, creepy locations to be the most compelling features. From the burnt-out slums of the South Bronx to the bright lights of Manhattan, the lonely alleyways of low-rent neighborhoods to the creepy night scenes of Battery Park, you know the Wolfen are out there, taking care of their business, going about things only imagined or envisioned in nightmares. Humans have few basic, instinctive fears, but this plot plays on one of the most primordial and powerful: the fear of being eaten alive. Like "Jaws" before it, Wolfen seems to tap into that primitive fear lurking just beneath the surface of consciousness.
Movie fans will appreciate the diverse cast. This was a comeback film for Finney and an initial effort for Venora, both of whom do good work in their respective roles. Also featured is Gregory Hines in a serious role, and Edward James Olmos in his pre-Miami Vice days. Tom Noonan plays a gentler role than his terrifying portrayal of a psychotic killer in Manhunter, although his hulking build seems somewhat incongruous as the sensitive and concerned zoologist-ecologist. I found the cast appealing and believable.
The visual effects are also appealing. I think this is an early use of the Steadicam system and it is used effectively in portraying the view of the Wolfen as they go out on their various hunts. The "heat vision" effect, a kind of saturation-colorized photographic negative, also gives an unfamiliar and alien view of otherwise mundane landscapes.
Overall, I give Wolfen a good recommendation in the horror-sci fi category, especially for those looking for a somewhat offbeat theme and cast.
I found the gritty, creepy locations to be the most compelling features. From the burnt-out slums of the South Bronx to the bright lights of Manhattan, the lonely alleyways of low-rent neighborhoods to the creepy night scenes of Battery Park, you know the Wolfen are out there, taking care of their business, going about things only imagined or envisioned in nightmares. Humans have few basic, instinctive fears, but this plot plays on one of the most primordial and powerful: the fear of being eaten alive. Like "Jaws" before it, Wolfen seems to tap into that primitive fear lurking just beneath the surface of consciousness.
Movie fans will appreciate the diverse cast. This was a comeback film for Finney and an initial effort for Venora, both of whom do good work in their respective roles. Also featured is Gregory Hines in a serious role, and Edward James Olmos in his pre-Miami Vice days. Tom Noonan plays a gentler role than his terrifying portrayal of a psychotic killer in Manhunter, although his hulking build seems somewhat incongruous as the sensitive and concerned zoologist-ecologist. I found the cast appealing and believable.
The visual effects are also appealing. I think this is an early use of the Steadicam system and it is used effectively in portraying the view of the Wolfen as they go out on their various hunts. The "heat vision" effect, a kind of saturation-colorized photographic negative, also gives an unfamiliar and alien view of otherwise mundane landscapes.
Overall, I give Wolfen a good recommendation in the horror-sci fi category, especially for those looking for a somewhat offbeat theme and cast.