Howl

I will be the first to admit, I usually shy away from any werewolf horror movie. They're usually just too unrealistic looking due to poor special effects and makeup, and the plots usually blow... Happy to say not the case with this one! Not only does the werewolf in this film come across as realistic, the setting of being stranded in the dark, foggy English countryside adds a major creep factor, the acting is far above average compared to most horror films, in the plot is actually good. As far as horror movies go, this is right up there with some of my favorite creature features and an overall good movie. A steady 'A' grade here from me. This one is good enough to at least give a shot. Definitely not a waste of time (unlike a great many horror movies unfortunately) by any means!

Read the title of this horror and you know already what it's about anyway. Nothing like a good werewolf movie from time to time. Although there's still a certain shortage of decent films when it comes to this genre. The last (for me personally) successful werewolf movie that I watched, was "Wer". On the other hand you'll see some abominably bad attempts like "Wolves" and "Night Wolf". "Howl", a movie from the UK, may not be as good as "An American Werewolf in London", but still managed to surprise me. And although it's a low-budget film, you can say that the look of the creatures terrorizing the passengers of the stranded train was successful. Probably the used anatomy will ensure a bit of protest by the followers of the genre, because it seemed like a mix of a wolf and the creature from "Splice." But that first attack with a bloody close-up took my breath away. Brilliant makeup and special effects. They looked at least less ridiculous than the furry creatures of "Late Phases" (a movie in which the acting impressed) with their ears decorated with tassels.

The progress of "Howl" is well considered and balanced. First a comprehensive introduction of all the characters. The middle section with the threatening situation they find themselves in. Followed by the final confrontation with the necessary victims and a predictable turn. Don't be surprised when some of the individuals make some stupid decisions again. However, the end might be a little surprising. Unfortunately, the look of the night creatures, when you can admire them in full regalia, isn't so convincing or frightening. To be honest they looked like individuals who returned from some kind of masked ball. But believe me, the first confrontation was bloody and ruthless. Sheer aggression focused on the terrible creature that struck in a deadly and gruesome way shortly before.

Not only the suspense and tension was a positive element in this film. The performances were enjoyable. A collection of colorful characters displaying that typical reserved British attitude. It surprised me they weren't having a tea break while being attacked by those animals. First, there's Joe (Ed Speleers), an undervalued train guard, whose life is an accumulation of setbacks and adversities. He is despised by colleagues and passengers see him as an incapable figure. His colleague Ellen (Holly Weston) ignores his romantic moves. Kate (Shauna Macdonald) hated Joe the first instance after she had to pay for a new ticket. Adrian (Elliot Cowan) is a cocky guy who in the end just tries to save his own neck. Nina (Rosie Day) is a spoiled brat. And then there's this elderly couple, who won't hide their outrage about the delay, a nerd-like young boy (Amit Shah), an engineer in the making (Sam Gittins) and an obese, lazy football player (Calvin Dean). The introduction sometimes is comical and highly recognizable.

Not only the werewolves provide for the eerie atmosphere. But also the location where the train gets stuck with its dark woods and the typical English fog banks, create a creepy mood. The origin of the creatures isn't explained in detail. Only the older man is aware of other mythical stories about broken down trains and passengers disappearing or being found in a pitiful state. But otherwise, you can only guess where these fast-paced, immensely strong and bloodthirsty creatures come from. Despite being a typical B-movie and the fact that I thought Paul Hyett's film "The seasoning house" was slightly better, this film is worthwhile to give it a try. It's not a top film with werewolves as subject, but it certainly is a movie that can compete with the better ones in this genre.

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There is some development for story line and character purposes that is slightly painful to get through but it is not as excruciating as certain ritalin addicts would have u believe. The irritable characters r truly annoying and u really enjoy the scenes when they die horribly. I particularly enjoyed the death of the pre period mouth piece, although it is quite a 180 from the seasoning house.

The ticketmaster plodded along and kept everyone in line until the time came to take command which he managed to do admirably. The creatures were very well done, not as good as underworld but better then crap like wolfcop or the ewok looking fuzzies from wolves. I am not sure where all the hate is coming from but this was a decent horror film sure it was no American werewolf in London but it still entertaining for the hounds out there, British included.

Howl had all the right ingredients, a train cutting through a dark and rain swept night, a monster lurking in the woods and a group of unsuspecting travelers. So why is this film so ordinary?

Howl fails for so many reasons but chief amongst these, for me, is a throughly unlikable cast of characters. The trains occupants are a cynical, selfish, rude, nasty bunch. As a result, its hard to empathize with the plight of the travelers, which in turn robs this film of any sense of tension and suspense, as you quickly stop caring what happens to them.

In most other respects, Howl is clichéd fare but, to a degree, that's forgivable. Pretty much any horror scenario you care to name has, to one degree or other, been done before. Howl is no exception. Howls sets are good, the mood reminiscent of an older generation of horror films, and the monster effects convincing. The acting is reasonable too, its a shame so little care went into the overall characterization.

I rate Howl a five out of ten. Its not dreadful but its hardly a masterpiece either.

This is a really well done film that focused on what it was instead of falling for the trap of trying to be more than it could. It didn't try and be some terrifying horror film and nor did it spend too much time on the werewolves. For the most part they're left out of sight or kept to a minimum so as to play well to the claustrophobic element of the film. When they are seen, they look very cool and are really well done.

The acting is good, the characters are likable enough and all contribute something towards the experience of being holed up in a tin can, trying not to be munched on by bloody werewolves.

I was well entertained and didn't find myself fiddling with my phone or anything. It wasn't too long and wasn't too short and left on a decent note.

The storyline alone is fun enough to hold your attention for the duration of the film. It does what it says on the can and doesn't leave you feeling like you wasted your time.

I watch a lot of horror ...and a lot of bad horror subsequently and this film doesn't fall into that substandard category. It's not a great film but it's a good film and especially within the werewolf sub-genre, and there are not too many in there.

That's what I think anyway, check it out and see what you think. I recommend it.