Battledogs

With decent actors and a decent script and decent CGI programmers you could make a decent movie out of it. But the problem with this movie is that the actors suck, that the writer is a Van Dyke, and that the computer generated images are made by an amateur. It was really painful to watch. I should have seen it before I started watching it that it would be a disaster. Last time I watched something that Shane Van Dyke wrote (6 Guns) I promised myself never watching something he is involved in again. But my mistake, I forgot to check it before I started watching this abomination. What a total waste of time. Avoid this movie(?) at all costs.

An ill wildlife photographer enters an airport, unknowingly carrying a werewolf virus. After she transforms, dozens if not hundreds of people are left dead or infected. And then the military steps in.

We all know the Asylum makes films for little money and uses some pretty terrible computer animation for their monsters. This is no exception. The production value seemed okay, but the wolves are just as fake as anything else they have created. Let us just get that out of the way.

But really, this is better than their average story. Decent acting, a generally interesting plot -- even if it may not always make sense. And Ernie Hudson, who never disappoints. Not the best werewolf film out there, but probably also not the worst.

I actually couldn't finish the movie because the CGI werewolves were way worse than the one from American Werewolf in Paris. It's bordering on cartoonish or a parody. Couldn't take the movie seriously. I'll never understand how people think they can have a werewolf movie with a horrible werewolf or in some cases no werewolf at all. I was surprised at how bad the quality was because the cast was impressive.

Battledogs (2013)

** (out of 4)

The Asylum strikes back with this rather confusing mix of sci-fi and horror. An evil Lt. General (Dennis Haysbert) does battle against the good Major Hoffman (Craig Sheffer) over a woman (Ariana Richards) who was bitten by a wolf (or dog) and turns into a wolf (or dog) and goes on a rampage in NYC. With the virus spreading, Hoffman wants to try and save her for a cure but the General wants more wolves (or dogs) so that the Army can use them in wars. BATTLEDOGS is a pretty confusing picture on one major level and that's the fact that I'm really not sure what the monsters are. They act and sound like werewolves but the title refer to them as dogs. Even stranger is that throughout the film they are called wolves by some, canines by others and some call them dogs. I'm really not sure what they are but the CGI used for them makes them look decent but they're still clearly fake but this here is to be expected with such a small budget. The film on the whole doesn't work but I think it contains a few entertaining things for those who line up week after week to see what SyFy is giving us. The biggest attraction to the film is its cast members as many familiar faces from familiar films are on hand. Not only do we get Haysbert (MAJOR LEAGUE), Sheffer (A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT) and Richards (JURASSIC PARK) but there's also Wes Studi (DANCES WITH WOLVES), Kate Vernon (PRETTY IN PINK) and Ernie Hudson (GHOSTBUSTERS). Obviously the screenplay doesn't give any of them a real chance to act but I thought all of them were fine in their roles and certainly raised the material. It was also fun seeing Richards back in a film after a six year break. The CGI effects are all pretty cheap and bad but The Asylum did give us some real, practical effects, which allowed for plenty of gore. I say this after everyone of these movies but if you're expecting quality then you're not going to find it here. If you looking for cheap entertainment then this here offers a little of it.

I paid $3 for this film - but it is slightly entertaining for the price.

What I hate about this film: The story. Way to much focus on the military blowing things up and not enough story about how it's a long and tedious matter to find a cure for a virus. This is my pet peeve about the film. This creates nothing more than a cheap action film focusing on destroying things like car wrecks, bombs, gun fire, etc...

I knew the military was going to be involved - which is fine IF the story was really a good story. Not the general telling the doctor to remove the tooth from the girl and find a cure in 10 minutes (which she did) -- that is B. S.!!

Watch if you like all action and some werewolves. Pass this by if you like a good werewolf horror movie.

2/10.