Recensioni degli utenti

SyFy have a notoriously bad reputation, though there are some tolerable movies of theirs out there even if they are too far and between. Battledogs was a movie that I wasn't sure what to make of, it wasn't a particularly good one but neither was it a disaster. I am in complete agreement with the acting being the best asset, the cast were a good one to begin with and they all give fun performances, especially Ernie Hudson. Battledogs is a better-looking movie than most SyFy movies, true the CGI is not particularly great(not really much of a surprise though) but the dogs/werewolves were fairly convincing, the scenery is good and the editing is not too choppy. The music and sound mayn't win any awards as such, but they are atmospheric and sharp enough and serve their purpose well. The car wreck scene was quite an exciting set piece, and the gore isn't too shabby either. Battledogs is not without its flaws though. There is some nice tongue and cheek humour in the script, but too much of the dialogue is cheesy, unnaturally flowed and not always fitting in certain scenes. There is also a rather make-it-up-as-you-go-along feel. The story is a mixed bag. The good news is, it didn't bore me particularly and the nods to King Kong, Free Willy and Day of the Dead original were nice; the bad news is, nothing comes out as original and the mix of sci-fi and horror is confused. Maybe it would help if those two elements individually worked, sadly they don't; it is not thrilling enough to be good sci-fi and it's not scary enough to be good horror either. And it is largely to do with the overall quality of the CGI, the poor suspense and how tame and uninventive the attacks seemed to be. I'd forgive the fact that the characters are overused stereotypes if anything interesting was done with them, but despite the efforts of the actors the characters never were developed or likable enough. And how inaccurately and poorly the military are portrayed is likely to get people even more infuriated, especially if they're part of the military themselves. In conclusion, not terrible or great. 5/10 Bethany Cox

It is always a nice treat to witness when The Asylum manages to spew out a movie that excels compared to the rest of their movies. Every now and then The Asylum manages to put out a movie that is actually above the usual cheesy and campy stuff they dabble in.

"Battledogs", aside from the horrible title, was actually a nice movie. It was a different take on the werewolf myth and genre, and a rather bold take. But it ultimately worked out well enough.

Mind you, I am not saying that "Battledogs" is ready to challenge the leading werewolf movies, but for a movie from The Asylum, then it is well worth checking out.

The story is about a mutated strain of lycanthropy running rampart in Manhattan. The military contains the outbreak, but want to utilize this newfound potential source of power and turn it into a weapon - of course. And they will stop at nothing in order to succeed. But when things get out of hand, the military are forced to take to drastic measures.

Storywise, then "Battledogs" was alright. It wasn't the best of stories, and it was predictable, yes, but still it was a step up compared to many other movies from The Asylum. The story is fast paced and full of action and even an occasional thrill here and there.

As for the acting, then they did have some good names on the cast list, and people did good with the characters and roles they were given. Sure, many of these characters were generic and stereotypical, but the actors and actresses still manage to get something watchable out of that.

Which leads me to the CGI. The werewolves did look good, although at times the CGI animation was wooden and stiff, but still, the effects worked to the extend that they were meant to. Just don't get your hopes up for being blown away by a multi-million dollar CGI extravaganza.

If you enjoy werewolf movies, and don't mind movies that range in the lower scale of the budget, then definitely check out "Battledogs" - don't mind the awful movie title.

This somewhat original werewolf flick by The Asylum is more fun than it deserves to be, thanks to a its cool premise, some neato plot elements by scriptwriter Shane Van Dyke, some attractive location shooting, and the surprising and welcome presence of Ariana Richards, who's grown as hot as you might have expected since she uttered her infamous "It's a Unix system! I know this!" as a teen in "Jurassic Park."

It is, however, nearly undone by ridiculous-looking CGI werewolves, a script devoid of humor, and a couple of "Wait… What?" turns that all remind you you're watching a film from The Asylum.

Richards plays a wildlife photographer bitten by a wolf in Canada who arrives in New York's JFK Airport, where she promptly turns into a werewolf and goes on a killing rampage, turning more people into werewolves.

Without explanation, we learn the government has immediately decided to train werewolves as soldiers. That revelation provides the film's only laugh-out-loud moment, albeit unintentional, when one character asks what any sane viewer would at that point: Wouldn't that just serve to turn the enemy soldiers into werewolves, too? And then, you know, the world?

Nice of the film to take its biggest gaping plot hole and just lay it bare for the viewer.

That said, direction by Alexander Yellen is surprisingly tight and solid for a first-timer; and the Buffalo, N.Y., backdrop is a suitable stand-in for New York City. I especially enjoyed the abandoned train station that resembled Grand Central Terminal, which served as an Ellis Island of sorts for recently bitten werewolves.

But when your werewolves look like 3D versions of various cartoon "Big Bad Wolf" characters, you have to admit your audience isn't going to take your movie seriously. Therefore, you as a filmmaker shouldn't either.

And that's the major flaw in almost every film by this company – they play it straight. A little self-referential humor (I would have LOVED to see Richards save the day with a Unix system again. Just sayin') would have made "Battle Dogs" a classic.

As it stands now, it's a decent rental at the Redbox, but worth little more than that.

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 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.

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.

I can forgive the ridiculous plot and low budget. And as a career Army guy, I have learned to be tolerant of so many mistakes in portraying the military. But wow, why make them look like such slobs? Unshaven, pants untucked, etc sheesh! Even the guy playing the President (Bill Duke) wears an ill-fitting suit. He also looks too creepy for the role, hunched over and mumbling.

And one thing that really doesn't make sense - why would there be only one doctor working on this problem if it's a worldwide threat?

I haven't been so entertained since 'Sharknado.' 'Battledogs' is, which I thought wouldn't be possible, a far superior film.

The script allows two of the acting professions finest leading men the platform to show the wide range of their craft.

I was on the edge of my Lazy-Boy the entire film, gripped in suspense, thrilled by the action and on the verge of tears from the drama.

Stars Craig Sheffer and Dennis Haybert have set the bar so high with 'Battledogs' it's unclear why they didn't receive Oscars.

I can only think that they so outshone their peers, it was out of pure jealousy they were purposefully not recognized.

9 stars out 10, only because the Battledogs didn't bring about a nuclear apocalypse, which they were certainly capable of.

After being bitten by a wolf and given a curse that will turn her into a ravenous werewolf, a woman sides with a sympathetic Army major and a scientist friend to find a cure for the disease before a rogue general uses the creatures as a weapon for the US military.

This was a pretty surprising entry that had some pretty enjoyable aspects to it that makes it far better than expected. One of the best elements here is the film's use of real animatronics and puppets for the werewolves that lend the creatures a sense of realism that far off-sets the utterly atrocious CGI which also pops up, but the fact that a lot of it is with the on-set effects makes it more enjoyable. The relentless action allows for plenty of high-energy scenes, including the creatures running loose in a crowded airport with the turned victims rising up as new werewolves to join in the fray as well as a big battle with the military on the streets of New York that has a lot to like. Throw that in with some nice gore and a pretty involving storyline that never really gets convoluted, it's got a lot to like that really makes up for the film's few flaws in it's CGI and pretty bland beginning that never fits in with the rest of the action, causing it to take a while to get going. Otherwise, this was quite fun.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Language.

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.

Battledogs is movie for those who are 13 years old and up. It is also for those who like a SciFi Horrox mix. Battledogs is a different kind of werewolf story that most of us are used to. Usually, it is the moon which triggers the werewolf. In this movie, it is the heartbeat. Battledogs is a scary movie. The werewolf adds to the scariness, but the most scary part of this movie is what people in power can do with such weapons of power and knowledge. That makes it scary. We always wonder just what our Government has in it bio-warfare arsenal. I am sure that it all stays out of the press. Teens like werewolves and vamps so this is right down their alley. Bring out the popcorn in this movie. I give Battledogs 5 thumbs up.

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.

This movie was so bad I don't even know where to begin. This was like something from a drunken 16 year old comic book nerd's delirium.

Even granting this is a made-for-TV movie, with the corresponding de rigueur low budget, this was laughably bad. I kind of feel poorly for some of the actors, acknowledging that sometimes they have to take work when it's offered just to pay the bills...but still.

I've said it before a dozen times; just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Who with the money to fund movies would, in their right mind, pay for something like this?

As for the writers, continuity people, directors....can you people not do even some basic bloody research into the military if you're going to have characters who are supposed to represent the military? Come on. At least try to make it believable.

Producers The Asylum have several movies like Sharknado, Ape vs Monster and Aquarium of the Dead under their belt. They specialize in a certain type of film. Battledogs does not see them breaking into new territory.

A strain of infection that turns the bitten into werewolves is unleashed in New York. The army is brought in to exterminate or control them for military purposes. The conflict, no drama without conflict, is between Craig Sheffer as Major Brian Hoffman who adopts a gently, gently, they were human once approach and Dennis Haysbert as Lt. General Christopher Monning who is all about termination or harnessing the werewolves. Sheffer has a lot of prior form with this type of movie and Haysbert has a lot of prior form but he moves up and down movie quality scale. Both make valuable contributions to film.

In fact the cast is uniformly strong. You will spend quite a bit of time playing the 'what was he / she in again?' game.

It is ungallant but some attempt to extend their careers by embellishment. Adriana Richards for instance, playing Donna Voorhees' patient zero, claims to be 28 when she obviously passed 28 several years earlier. Similarly some of the service personal in the movie could have made up the first 3,500 Marines to land in Vietnam in 1965.

Perhaps if the conflict were between the werewolves and humankind we might have had a worthier contribution to the sub-genre.

The werewolves are in the main GGI and, as we say down under, they are dodgy. There are though, a lot of them, a real lot of them, and they do generate a reasonable amount of gore. Not as much as the opening scenes promise but enough to maintain interest.

The CGI doesn't stop at the werewolves. It is used very liberally throughout the movie.

Production values are OK; the musical score is both adequate and functional; fast in the exciting bits, slow during the heavy dialogue; locations are at the budget end of the possibilities and; the plot is linear and uncluttered. We even have a MacGyver type moment but I won't give it away.

There is a made for television feel to Battledogs and it probably was made for SYFY or something similar. I watched it on Prime, who have a particularly uneven horror schedule.

As is the way with made for television, there are problems with tension. As a horror movie, there isn't any and there really should be. Things unfold in a fairly predictable manner. There are no effective jump scares. Actually, there are no ineffective ones either. The whole 'fright quotient' hovers just above zero. Still the pacing is good and there a lot of werewolves.

It has been a while since we were offered a really good werewolf movie. The wait continues. Director Alexander Yellen, who is actually an accomplished cinematographer, does provide us with 88 minutes of light entertainment though.

This is one of the better Asylum productions. The cast is to say above mediocre. You will see a lot of known faces from flicks from the eighties early nineties. So on that part it's okay. This story itself is a rip-off of the Sharknado franchise which is easy to explain because those people are involved.

But normally Asylum flicks aren't worth seeing for effects or horror but here the effects are rather okay. It's easy to spot that it's mediocre CGI but there's blood attached and the bites are looking nasty. So okay, for the horror geeks.

And the attack on New York looked also believable. So for a normal flick it isn't top notch but for an Asylum flick it is, worth picking up if you are into laughable and over the top horror done on a bad way.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 2/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5

Not the worst I've seen, but I've some Really bad movies! Script is very Weak! Special effects are weak. Few actors did a passable job.

Great movie? No.

Great cast, good acting, good script, excellent locations, above average CGI, good camera work.