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Brotherhood of the Wolf

Brotherhood of the Wolf

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Brotherhood of the Wolf is excellent.
Review: Brotherhood of the Wolf tells the tale of two men who come to hunt down a monstrous wolf who's attacking a kingdom and its' inhabitants. One thing I can tell you about this movie is it's creepy from the get-go. Mixed with martial arts and sword and knife-play, it strikes a nice balance all the way through. I really enjoyed it and plan to add this one to my collection.
I want to recommend this movie to martial arts fans or just plain spooky movie fans, you'll definitely enjoy this one.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Crouching Frog Legs, Hidden Escargot.
Review: Well, that there French countryside sure was purdy in the 18th century.

And that's about it.

The plot, such as it is, exists as an excuse to hang on special computer generated effects, mostly Kung-Phooey. There's some gratutious nudity, though not nearly enough for a fair to middling brainless popcorn movie.

(in Francais with English subtitles, no less.)

Naturally there's also secret societies and counter-conspiracies so incomprehensable that Cardinal Richelieu couldn't begin to make head or tails of them. The point is that Black Helicopters hover overhead! THEY are out to get you! Canal Plus producers must have watched one episode of X-Files too many.

Ready for more cliches?

For the spiritually inclined there's a Wise Native American Indian with mystical powers, who is fond of doing double somersaults while throwing tomahawks and kicking butt. Sort of The Last of the Mohicans meets Enter the Dragon.

The spoiler is that Bruce Lee would have rolled on the floor laughing at the fights scenes. He didn't use computer generated effects. And the director manages the miracle of making the swordfights even more lame. So what if none of the actors know one end of a rapier from another, we've got the 'ole comp graphics revved to the max.

For the sadistically inclined there's a giant mutant steel Wolf/Porcupine monster that (ARE YOU READY?) is trained to kill only females. If you liked 'In the Company of Men' and enjoy women and girls getting gored, this may be right up your mysoginist alley.

For everyone else with a room temperature IQ, there's pretty people doing nothing. And an "action" scene is coming right up!

Good cinematography. Yup that there countryside sure's purdy, Ma.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I wasn't expecting it to be this good
Review: Just watching the opening sequence I was immediately hooked on this movie. The action in very Asian which is not something you expect in a 16th century setting, but none the less works quite well. A court taxidermist (of sorts) and his Indian counterpart head out into the countryside of France in investigate a series of killings by a mysterious wolf. The intrigue and action that ensues will draw you in and the characters are great (even though only a French person would believe that a character could love a woman while also visiting a whore house multiple times-leave it to the French). The cinematography and the vivid colors that the director uses are amazing. There isn't any overabundance of extras, but the extra scenes with director commentary are certainly interesting. Overall a great package.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best film from France since LEON
Review: As an avide fan of a well made film this has all the elements, Historic,Action packed,great story and some fantastic fight scenes.One of the best movies Ive seen in a long while,looks set to have a cult status once the momentum starts.Have a look at this DVD it would be a great addition to anyones collection. Another that I would recommend if you liked this movie is Dog Soldiers...you will not be disappointed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing
Review: If you haven't seen it, I cannot recommend it enough. Seriously... it is absolutely incredible!! At 144 minutes, it's loosely based on a true story that took place in France in 1764. An unusual blend of a classic story and wire-fu fighting that I have never seen before. The filming style is nothing short of amazing... from the overexposed neon dream-like scenes to the action sequences that move from super slow-motion to normal to hyperspeed and back again during key spots... everything in this film is made interesting. The settings and costumes alone make it as if the movies was filmed against a classic painting.

The cast was made up entirely of actors that I feel like I should know... but sadly I don't (yet). I only recognized one fellow (Vincent Cassel) from The Messenger. I honestly need to start watching more European films, because I feel like I'm missing out by not getting to see performances like these on a regular basis. Every actor in this film was awesome, especially the leads - Samuel le Bihan and Mark Dacascos. The character Mani kicks so much ass I felt I should remain seated lest mine also be kicked. Fronsac is no slouch either. Great fight scenes.

Cool thing I noticed: During the winter scenes inside the cavernous rooms of the Marquis' Palace, Some people are standing in the middle of the room, some are near the seats, which are close to the fireplace. They actually made the effort to show the breath of the people standing in the middle of the room, who would be in the cold part of a large fireplace heated room in 1764, and not show the breath of the people sitting near the fire. Nice touch, I thought. Little things like that (and there are many) add to the realism of the film and help to transport you to the world of the story. The mark of a great film, in my opinion.

I prefer reading subtitles, but I went with the English dub for this one and used the trick of concentrating on the actors eyes. I suppose if you speak French, this one will be that much better. I wish I did speak French for this one so I could see it as originally filmed, but the dubbing doesn't hurt it one bit. I won't tell you anything more about the story. This one is worth going into completely blind and just going with it. I was pulled in after the opening scene.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: I can't believe I watched the whole thing
Review: The voice overs were all out of synch and at times the words indeceiperable. It gets 2 stars only because it was original. But it was at times slow, and almost laughable. Anyone who pays more than $.. for this movie, I think will be disappointed.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: I would have never bought this movie if I would have known it was dubbed in English. Nothing on the outsite of the DVD box states that it is dubbed in English.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Oooh La-La...action and effects...
Review: We, as Americans, seem to sometimes think that we have the cornerstone on movie-making abilities and storytelling via the big screen. Well let me disappoint us here...

Brotherhood of the Wolf is a stand alone action/SF/historical/ suspenseful/romantic and downright fun film to watch. Usually, meshing all of these genres together can muddle the plot (and the film seemed on the verge of becoming muddled at times), but I was pleasantly suprised by the entire movie.

The story is about a small village in France during the 1700's who's natives get terrorized (and sometimes murdered by) a horrible 'beast' that resembles a wolf. Apparently there is some historical accuracy here, as this did occur in France...but that's as far as history will take you in this film. In order to stave off this horrible creature, the King of France dispatches some armed soldiers and later two men, Samuel Le Bihan -- wolf hunter/botantist/lover and action figure extraordinaire -- and Mark Dacascos -- a strong, native American named Mani with the abilities of Bruce Lee.

Through trial and error, Sam and Mark delve into the dark underbelly of this village and it's terrible history. How much is the church involved? What do the villagers themselves know? Metal teeth? The beast leaving some victims alive? Why?

The ending is touching and memorable. An all around great film for any movie fan.

I'd rate it an A- only because the plot can sometimes elude the watcher. But it was all eye-candy for me.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Simply wonderful
Review: This is one of the best movies ever made. Not only does it give one some of the best fighting scenes ever put on film, but an unique experience through good vs. evil. After watching several times many more things become clear that weren't before. Gans is a very talented director who put a lot of work, effort, and touch of genius to create a magnificant work of fantasy and romanticism.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: What in the World was up with that ending?????
Review: I purchased this DVD because I was so excited after seeing the incredible trailers for this flick when it was released to the theaters, but it wasn't released everywhere so seeing it became more of a hassle... I chose to wait for the DVD.

I gave this movie 3 Stars because I really appreciated the cinamatography and the martial art scenes. Now my bicker is the ending boy was it dissapointing........ I have a feeling that it's just a French Movie making style that I am not aware of because this is my second review for a French Flick that the ending was like...... ????? huh? It seemed to me that the director was trying to cram 5 different movies ideas into this one movie. There are a lot of things that make absolutely no sense whatsoever at the end of this movie which ruined the entire experience for me.

Anyhoo if you can watch it and keep in mind that it is just for entertainment and not expect a really wonderful involving plot then I say go for it purchase the movie, however if you are like me that require a little more than that I say pass on it and rent it from your local video store. Oh yea, I used both the sub-titles and dubbing, it wasn't distracting at all.

Respectfully Reviewed


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