Rating: 
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: This film took me completely by surprise since the only thing I knew about it were from the commercials on TV. It's remarkable that this film with Asian-style martial arts choreography, Sergio Leone-style filmmaking, and Ennio Morricone-style music actually works! However, its European-style atmosphere may not appeal to some.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING!
Review: I've seen the movie twice. I am on the waiting list to get the DVD. I loved the scenes, the actors, the story, everything very well done by this French director who already had done Crying Freeman (Mark Dacascos is Freeman in this movie). I recommend to whoever is interested in some romance, action, beautiful scenary and for the soundtrack fans, try to stay until the ending credits and listen to Felicia Sorenson singing ONCE the ending title, it is beautiful! Enjoy it people who aren't afraid of subtitles and know how to enjoy a foreign language film!
Rating:
Summary: MAGNIFIQUE!!!!!
Review: Totally Awesome!This movie was truly a gem.It's too bad it didn't get the hype it deserved here in the states.The action scenes alone were worth the price of admission.Truly the French outdid themeselves this time!
Rating: 
Summary: Good action and political undertones, BUT . . .
Review: It was a little hard to ignore the kung-fu-fighting Mohawk Iroquois. This wouldn't be so bad if he did not appear in every other scene, which he does. Obviously, the French are unaware (or don't care) that the Iroquois most likely fought by tackling their enemies and engaging them in close combat on the ground, as opposed to flying across the screen or doing a roundhouse. Overall, the underlying political drama and resulting fights are entertaining and draw the viewer into the movie, but the John-Woo-like action scenes really detracted from the story. To sum things up, this would be a great rental film.
Rating:
Summary: slowly lost its train of thought
Review: Here is a movie that started creating an interesting and moody quality. Unfortunately, the story began complicating itself for no reason, and refused to come to a conclusion until the audience just decided to leave the theater. I think the film would have gladly continued another three hours but there was no one left in the theater to watch it.I'm a big fan of french films but this director seemed to lose his mind after the first hour and a half and started adding elements which really took away from the movies initial premise. What a shame.
Rating:
Summary: One amazing mix of a movie!
Review: First let me start by saying that I loved this movie. I mean, what more can someone ask for? Brotherhood of the Wolf includes martial arts, indian mysticism, werewolf/horror, sword fighting, midevil witchcraft, etc. Sounds good eh? Of course it is. Now, many people will knock this movie saying that its plot was weak and that they were confused with it, but what is confusing about it? If you're looking for entertainment and TONS of action, this is the movie for you. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD. The most talented movie critic alive,
OB
Rating:
Summary: I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT MOVIE - FIVE TIMES
Review: Anyone who reads too much into this film like many are doing of course may be disappointed. Keeping in mind that it is still just a french horror film, you should watch it like its a horror film. It's fun and scary, the opening fight scene is sexy (but its too bad they cut Mark Decascos and Samuel LeBihan both fighting in that scene)and I feel the way it was filmed was extraordinary and beautiful. Yes, I agree the beast was a little disappointing. I was expecting something more realistic, but watching Mani and Fronsac easily made me forget about it. And I can't believe that I have not seen a comment by anyone about the fact that Fronsac looks like Mickey Rourke when he was in his prime. I am praying that this movie is released on DVD in the US because I will be the first to buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Has Its Ups and Downs
Review: This movie, while highly entertaining, is utterly implausible in places. There are plot holes a mile wide. Example: Where the [heck] did the Iroquois sidekick learn karate? I wondered why so many guys were lusting after the love interest, whose name I cannot recall. She seemed kinda average to me. So why did I give this movie 4 stars? 1 for the fight scenes, 1 for the Monica Belluci character (Talk about girl power), and two for Mani the Sidekick. It was worth the whole thing just to see him running around in nothing but a loincloth. Mmmm.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice try, but huh?
Review: I once wrote a book review where I defined my own rating criteria, and in it was a Flagpole factor. Perhaps not politically correct as I should be, but this criteria defines how erotic and sexy a film is. I only bring it up because with foreign films you get a healthy dose of nudity and a hint of "savagery". This film is no exception. One of the female protagonists works at a whorehouse. And the director seems to have a talent for sprucing up the film with a breast here and there. Not entirely a bad thing, but it gets worse... This film is interesting, not for its plot, but for its unique combination of several genres into a confusing story. It is foreign (spoken in French, English subtitles). It is a mystery (what is this beast and how can it be caught). It is a suspense thriller (what or who is this brotherhood). It's a martial arts film (they are all able to leap incredibly high and split their legs and fight with a wooden pole). It is political (a government coverup and underground societies exist). But put these ingredients together and you end up with this mix that's just highly confusing and leaves the audience alone in the dark scratching their heads. At one point in the film one thinks the story just abruptly ends with the death of the protagonist only to pick up and go on yet again. And somehow through all of this, it manages to squeeze in a happy ending. To say it's one of the year's best films would be grossly inaccurate. It is different, I will grant that. Every now and then a foreign film can really shine and touch our hearts, like Amelie. But this isn't one of them.
Rating:
Summary: HARD to CATEGORIZE, EASY to LOVE
Review: "Le Pacte des Loups," a.k.a. "Brotherhood of the Wolf," is a film that tries hard to stand apart from the rest of the pack (excuse the pun). Does it succeed? Yes and no. "Yes," because on the surface, it's a refreshing attempt at unconventional cross-genre juggling. "No," because digging a little deeper uncovers a film stunted by its own ingenuity: it stretches itself so thin that the best it can achieve is mediocrity. "Le Pacte" is based upon an eighteenth century legend about a series of mysterious attacks in southeast France. But don't expect much of a history lesson. It takes the premise and runs with it. The film opens in true horror genre fashion with a monster and a busty peasant woman. She is attacked and the rumor spreads. Two strangers come to investigate: Fronsac, an official appointed by the King, and Mani, his Native American friend. They explore, things happen, adventures ensue. Kind of like "Sleepy Hollow" with kung fu.
Before anything else, I offer a warning. Many of the criticisms about "Le Pacte" are true. The plot is uneven and insipid. The last twenty minutes is completely baffling and a waste of time. The monster is a disappointment due to inferior effects, cliched devices, and ambiguous definitions. The character development is absurd and inconsistent. And the martial arts choreography, like the Beast, is different but nothing new. Taking up the model set by "The Matrix," "Le Pacte" incorporates too much slow-motion and too many meaningless camera effects. I expected something fresh and original from a European attempt at kung fu, but this is pretty much a Hollywood production made in France. When will Western filmmakers learn that you don't slow down martial artists, you speed them up (or in the case of Jet Li, you don't do anything). But despite these debilitating weaknesses, the cinematography alone is worth the price of admission. "Le Pacte" is pure eye candy, equaling, perhaps even surpassing, well-known powerhouse productions like "Gladiator" and "The Lord of the Rings." The astounding part of it all is that while Ridley Scott and Peter Jackson utilize heavy CGI to fulfill their visions, Christophe Gans uses only the landscapes of France to create a world that is impossibly unreal. For those of you who need more incentive than flashy visuals, I direct you to the wonderful cast. Monica Bellucci is alluring, mysterious and supremely confident. She shows the finesse of an exceptional actress in an unexceptional role. Emilie Dequenne is perfect as the sheltered and oppressed Marianne. Her rosy cheeks and slightly chubby face resemble those of a Raphaelian cherub. And Vincent Cassel, a well-known French actor, does wonders with his unoriginal character. Bearing a visage that ingrains itself into your memory, he evokes the same charismatic creepiness that Gary Oldman does.
But who's the real star of the movie? None other than the tragically unrecognized Mark Dacascos. If his lightning-fast moves don't impress you, then his long black hair and his skimpy loincloth surely will! Dacascos dominates the screen in "Le Pacte," even with just 20 lines or so and a relatively small build. There is never a moment when you don't believe he can do the things he does. And what he does, my friends, is kick some serious butt. Even with stifling camera work, Dacascos shines through. His finest moment comes in an action sequence two thirds into the film. At a point of desperation and need, Fronsac, Mani (Dacascos), and a supporting character attempt to trap the Beast. Dacascos, with intimidating war paint all over his face, stands in a ravine to await the monster... all by himself. Where are the other two? Hiding up top on the cliff behind him with their long-range weapons at the ready.
Here comes the Beast, showing itself on the other cliff. And, in a moment that is so blatantly absurd as to be completely rousing, Dacascos raises his hands to reveal, not a gun, not a bow, not even a sword, but a tomahawk. What happens next is a series of chases, close calls, released traps, and general mayhem. Kinetic, fast-paced, and exciting, the whole sequence is dialogue-free, allowing you to take in all the powerful hits and poundings without distraction. It is exhilarating. Mark Dacascos isn't shattering any racial prejudices with his involvement in "Le Pacte des Loups", but I find it flattering that he's in a French film to begin with. Gans probably made it easier for him since they've worked together before ("Crying Freeman"). But without a doubt, Dacascos was the most versatile choice -- can you imagine Jet Li or Jackie Chan taking a stab at French? Neither can I. Honestly, it's a thrill just to be able to watch an underrated actor playing such a prominent role in a foreign blockbuster. And as an added bonus, he hasn't resorted to portraying the silent, brooding, menacing kung-fu master/samurai warrior/gun-toting gambler. Ironically enough, he's portraying the silent, mystical, dependable tomahawk-toting Iroquois shaman. But hey, you can't have everything.
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