31 Films for Halloween, #3: The Wolfman (2010)

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 "The Wolfman" (2010).  Big film; lots of money. The pet project of producer Benicio DelToro, who makes the unfortunate choice of starring as Larry Talbot himself.

Well... he's better-looking than Lon Chaney, Jr., I suppose.  
But really he looks like he should have starred in a remake of Dr. Giggles, instead.

Most of the elements from the original film make their appearances, although they are sometimes strained. The silver-headed cane; antique dealer Gwen Conliffe; Maleva the Gypsy Woman; the Talbot Estate and Sir John Talbot being an off-putting weirdo and a-hole; the attitude of dogs; the medalion; the elder brother's death; people questioning Larry's sanity; Larry macking on a woman way out of his league.  

It's got some fun set pieces (the attack on the gypsy camp and the asylum escape), although it generally lacks emotional impact. 

And it's got Anthony Hopkins doing his patented Crazy and Unpleasant Yet Paradoxically Erudite Old Man routine.  

In contrast to DelToro's understated mumbling performance, Anthony Hopkins chews a lot of scenery in the film.

And I do mean LITERALLY.

See it if for no other reason than to contemplate how films can have star power, high production values, and reverence for the material and yet still miss the mark.

Also... it's Anthony Hopkins as a Crazy Old Werewolf.  

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