Howling VI: The Freaks

Years after I saw the Original Howling movie, I spend my time watching the entire series of sequels to this movie.

The second one was crap, the third one was a monster and the fourth one was one of the worst flicks I have ever seen.

So I think you can understand my surprise after seeing this fifth sequel, well... it was actually good!

The story has been told by other reviewers, so I won't do that.

The atmosphere in this one is more like a sunday afternoon movie, with not to much gore, but with sympathetic characters, and a innovative storyline, about a carnival director who in real life is a vampire.

I enjoyed everything about this movie, allthough it cannot be seen as a masterpiece or real good horror movie. Despite of that, I give it a 6 out of 10, because it's soooo much better than all the other parts in this bad, bad series.

In THE HOWLING VI: THE FREAKS, a circus / freak show, run by a mysterious man, comes to a small town. Meanwhile, another mysterious stranger arrives, and many secrets come to light. The revealing of the true identities of these men leads to an explosive finale.

This installment in the seemingly endless HOWLING "series" does indeed contain several freaks, including those played by Antonio Fargas and Deep Roy! Though absurd in spots, this movie actually holds up rather well, and is certainly better than some of the other entries. The carnival itself is fairly cool, featuring some bizarre characters (The Chicken Biter! Alligator Boy!). Of course, lycanthropy plays a role as well...

Howling VI (1991) was another entry in the never ending Howling saga. Thia one takes place in a small town. A sleazy little carnival is in town. Follow close by is a mysterious young man. The creepy owner of the carnival takes a liking to the kid. But does he have ulterior motives? The kid meets a nice young girl and the two become good friends. But the carny wants the girl too and what's left of the dying town.

Somewhat different take on the series. The ever so pretty Carol Lynley has a small role as the town's matriarch. Antonio Fargas has a small role as well. The shady Bruce Payne also co-stars in this bizarre flick that has a heavy jones for Paul Naschy films. Hey buddy, don't bite off the man. Try and be original for a change.

Mediocre stuff, but watchable.

C-

x

Without a doubt one of the most disappointing movies I have ever seen. It starts off promisingly, but nothing happens. There are no actual werewolves in it - the hero turns into a wolfman, and the bad guy a purple thing. And they have a lame fight. This is a disgrace to one of the great horror movies the original The Howling. Garbage. Only two people get attacked by a werewolf.

Admittedly not to everyone's taste, but HOWLING VI: THE FREAKS blows the previous four sequels out of the water. Absolutely no one appears to have noticed, but Brendan Hughes here has simply re-invented himself as a reluctant werewolf carrying on pretty much where he left off as the stylish but caring Vlad Tepisch in TO DIE FOR..one of the best vampire films ever made!

Quirky this may be, hammily directed admittedly and with a musical score that sucks at times, there is still enough in this tale of a shabbily-treated gaggle of sideshow freaks to warrant a second viewing. Bruce Payne in the film before his cool-hijacker role in PASSENGER 57 plays the literate but somewhat inhumane carny-owner who just might know more about Brendan Hughes "condition" than he is letting on.

Several touching scenes and for the most part anything but a horror movie, one's enjoyment of this film is fully dependent on an inclination to listen, having a sense of compassion and a degree of awareness that not too many have.

Its NOT a great film by a long shot - its an interesting failure if anything but I for one, can find plenty to like about it. The cat scene for one thing propelled the film to a 6 to start with.