The Werewolf Cult Chronicles: Vietnam 1969

There's simply something seriously fun about finding these obscure werewolf horror films, this entry for the Werewolf Cult Chronicles is seriously no exception. If you're well aware of what you're getting yourself into when checking this entry out, then you're in for a blast.

The film is littered with effort, sitting back you'll see how the film cares about its plot and idea. It's an intriguing plot, as well as an interesting take all together for the boundaries of a werewolf. The werewolf design for what they had to work with seemed thought-out and handed with creativity, from its appearance to it's movement, we're surely not disappointed as we get to see the creation throughout many shots and a good chunk of run-time. The characters come off as intriguing as well, for the different idea presented. Classic, grain of salt, well aware builds fitting amusing stereotypes. The pacing set surprisingly well, and overall made the movie a fun watch, one that'll prove an eye opener.

Shotty, micro-budget-seeming CGI work, noticeably out of place ADR, repeating shots and noticeable other nitpicking elements aside, it's mostly a fun time. This entry was surprising in the best way for a dude hunting for weird and forgotten werewolf films. I can easily recommend this, as it's blatantly a creative effort that doesn't fail, coming off charming in .. almost an unexplainable way.

It's the forests of Sweden in 2003... er, I mean the jungles of Vietnam in 1969 and some dubbed actors have to battle a computer-rendered werewolf.

While technically a step up from the previous film "Chimera", this installment suffers from perhaps taking itself a bit too seriously while hindered by some severe budget restrictions. The acting is overall decent though lacks punch of flair. At barely over 20 minutes, there's not much time to really get to know the characters. The costumes are minimal (some ammo belts, backpacks, canteens, buzz-cuts, and maybe an M-60 would have been nice) and worst of all there is almost no effort to make the men look and behave like real soldiers (much like CHIMERA, but that was supposed to be some strange alternate vaguely post-apocalyptic future, not a period film which is much tougher to simulate).

However, there are some excellent gore effects here and there and some striking sets of ruined cities which I wish they would have made more use of. Also, the CGI has some wild unevenness to it that makes it oddly arresting. The final battle with the animated werewolf though is laughably fake, especially when it's obvious the actor fighting the wolf is not even looking at it. Overall the choppers and superimposed explosions work pretty well though, and the editing is pretty slick.

What would have really benefited this one would be more action and a little clearer of a sense of purpose. A nice battle scene with some VC might have made a good setup, and a little more motivation for the wolf would have helped things out. Also, the tone should have been more consistent throughout rather than switching back and forth from cheesy martial arts to graveyard seriousness. The music (which is excellent) tries to maintain a somber tone, but finds itself fighting uphill.

Overall, a very slick first attempt from an upcoming director, but too short and uneven to work as a standalone film. Worth a watch.