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Big Bad Wolf (2006)
Big Bad Wolf" begins with an exciting but sad opening scene that shows a wolf killing and ripping off two hunters limbs. What starts off as what may seem to be a serious horror movie goes into a completely different direction that I welcomed with open arms. This film isn't completely original as a lot of it is inspired by the tale "Little Red Riding Hood". Also the backwoods setting reminds me more of a slasher and the creature at the beginning seemed more like Sasquatch. The film has its ups and downs but the offensive dialog and the by the numbers kills. Also there are some sexually perverse scenes made this film one helluva time!
7 years after the death of Derek Crowley's father, Derek (Trevor Duke) and his not so true friends, with the exception of his biker girl/ mechanic friend Samantha (Kimberly J. Brown) decide to take a trip to Derek's stepfather Mitch's (Richard Tyson "Kindergarden Cop") cabin for the weekend. Derek is a fraternity pledge trying to fit in with the biggest asshole group of characters I've seen on screen in a while. After getting lost they ask an alcoholic truck driver (Special appearance by Clint Howard) for directions and he warns them not to go. After the group are persistent with letting the drunk know that they want to go get hammered he gives in and gives them directions. He still warns them to stay inside because the area is known to be
dangerous.
I can not bite my tongue because this first scene is the biggest sell to why you should see this movie. The first group of asswhipes, besides Samantha and Derek of course, do not last long whatsoever. All I have to say that there is some brilliant foreshadowing of a girl turning her boyfriend town for anal sex to only be a victim of sodomy at the claws of a talking werewolf a few minutes later. This scene is flat out hilarious for numerous reasons and features tons of gore, kinky sex, verbal cat fights and of course the biggest asshole Alex dying a horrible death. Even the aftermath shows a cop puking while the news cameras are rolling.
From here its Samantha and Derek's goal to find out who the killer is. They both soon suspect it to be Mitch after they realize that he goes on Cabin trips every full moon. Now I will avoid giving any more spoilers but I will say this film does not let up on the gore and my only complaint is the CGI transformations that in all honesty don't look too bad but the filmmakers could have went without it. Richard Tyson turns in a balls out performance as the verbally abusive husband and punchline delivering wolf man. This guy knew how to have fun with the material given to him and he enhanced the movie's fun factor. Also it was original how stress could make him break out into his Wolf mutation!
There are some subplots that coincide with the two hunter's deaths in the beginning that should answer a lot of questions the viewer has. The film delivers with great splatter effects and although the wolf suit was sort of laughable a lot of hard work was put into the costume. If you watch the Making of Featurette you will see all the time, drawing and molds that went into creating the Wolf. There is also a group of high school paparazzi that follow Derek and Samantha around only to eventually to replace the frat squad that died earlier.
In an age where there is a lot of failed attempts in the werewolf genre ("Blood and Chocolate" failed financially and critically). "Cursed" was a disaster and movies like the dreadfully bad "Van Helsing" and "Underworld" did nothing but make brainless popcorn flicks with no heart. I take that back I like "Underworld" but it wasn't a full out werewolf film. "Big Bad Wolf" is the best werewolf film I've seen since "Ginger Snaps". I haven't got around to "Dog Soldiers" and I am sure that is a great film so don't sue me. This however should go in your werewolf collection despite all of the films minor flaws and wacky take on the werewolf genre. Please put this in your Werewolf collection along with "Silver Bullet" and "Monster Squad" (The Wolfman in "Big Bad Wolf" says NARDS!!!!.... Homage Anyone?). The transformations aren't as inspiring as the still unbeatable classics "The Howling" and "American Werewolf in London" but the brash comedic quality of the film and the fantastic slasher style murder sequences(Autonomous F/X) and setting should interests a lot of genre die hards! Don't sell yourself short by ignoring this release. If you only like dead serious horror this may not be for you but other wise give this a chance. I want to watch it again with friends and if I still drank I'd even drink BEERS with it! Reviewers like drinking beers with horror comedies…Fuck that frat boy shit! The wolf man will kill you if you don't watch this sober! Solid entertainment and avoid showing this to the youngsters. Vulgarity, Bestiality and a new take on Werewolves is enough to reel me in! The DVD also features Director's Commentary by Lance W. Dreeson. I look forward to seeing what he does next!
Rating - ***
-Russ Rutter
