An American Werewolf in London

Rating:
Summary: An American Nightmare In Vaudeville
Review: Young Americans David Naughton and Griffin Dunne go backpacking through the English countryside and chance upon a haunted and unfriendly inn, after which Dunne is killed and Naughton wounded by an unidentified large animal. Taking up with charming nurse Jenny Agutter, Naughton begins suffering nightmares and waking hallucinations of being a wild animal, of killing people, and of talking with his dead friend Dunne. It isn't too long before he - and Agutter, and Doctor John Woodvine - realize he isn't hallucinating.

Very well-directed and -acted piece, balancing horror and humor nicely, though not as smoothly and subtly as the contemporaneous The Howling. The balance is carried off by straight-faced and nightmarish surrealism, and the wholesomeness of the genuinely appealing young cast. The clever juxtaposition of American and British culture helps immensely, adding both to the humor and the realism.

This is a truly unique piece, not really succeeding either as a comedy or a horror film, yet satisfying somehow on both levels. It's a bizarre viewing experience, but an enjoyable and worthwhile one. The special effects sequences, especially the transformations, are pretty impressive too.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, good effects
Review: It's perhaps easy to see why 'An American Werewolf In London' became a horror classic. After all, it's effects for the time were truly phenomenal and creepy little horrors set in England always seem to appeal.

Watching today the special effects aren't as good and there are other entertaining low-budget horrors out there. It's not that there's anything intrinsically wrong with the movie, it's just that there's nothing particularly special about it. Rather than focusing on the disturbing dream sequences with the main character dead best friend (who rots away as the movie progresses), we have to sit through a lot of tired flirtation scenes with nurse Jenny Agutter and a few chase scenes.

True, not all horror lies in how scary it is or how gory, but the human element of the movie is also lost. The romance between Naughton and Agutter doesn't seem real enough to warrant her reaction at the end of the movie (which is admitedly impressive) and the few glimpses we get of Naughton's increasing insanity are all to brief.

To conclude, this may be better than a lot of horror rubbish out there but it's certainly little better. To say that it's often hailed as the first-of-its-kind, there's little new said here.

Rating:
Summary: This movie really bites! in a good way
Review: Theres not a lot you can tell anyone about this film, im sure most people have seen this movie but if you havent then where the hell have you been! The whole DVD package is great and the film has to be the best ever made. Scary, funny and jumpy this film has everything. A must buy on DVD and watch it in the dark for the best results.

Rating:
Summary: This movie really bites! in a good way
Review: This film has to be the greatest movie ever made. Whats even better now is its on DVD. The package the two CDs enclosed everything about this DVD is perfect. The Film Im sure by now everyone has seen, if you have not seen it then where the hell have you been! A must buy for anyone who loves film classics. Even the introduction menu screen is good.

Rating:
Summary: A horror comedy that's both funny and scary for a change.
Review: The story begins when two American students, Jack (Griffen Dunne) and David (David Naughton), are vacationing in England. Late one night, Jack and David are foolishly walking through the moors when they are viciously attacked by a werewolf. Jack dies from the attack, and David is left badly wounded. If you know anything about horror, you should be able to figure what happens to David.

After David recuperates from his injuries, he visits a movie theater that (unbeknowst to David until he enters) is occupied by undead werewolf victims, one of which is Jack, in various states of decay. The victims try to tell David that he must do himself in before any harm occurs. Of course, David refuses to listen. And because of this, carnage ensues throughout London. The morning after each incident, David finds himself naked and forgetful of what happened the night before.

Is this movie predictable? Yes. Can anyone over the age of seven understand that David is doomed from the get-go? Yes. Is it boring? Nope. As I said in the title, AAWiL is a triumph for all involved. There are a few scenes that are truly frightening. You won't easily forget the subway chase or the scene when David (as a wolf) causes mass destruction during a downtown traffic jam. Rick Baker's 1980s elbow grease makeup work makes today's pushbutton CGI effects look phony. Just watch David's transformation scenes. Over twenty years after this film was made they still look astonishing. Baker earned his Oscar.

Then there is also the wicked sense of humor. One of the funniest lines ever on film was when David took a little boy's balloons to conceal his nudity. Jack, even though he's dead and dropping parts left and right, is the life of an already lively movie.

In closing, this is one of many fine horror movies to come from the 1980s. What makes AAWiL special is its abilty to make you laugh one second and shudder the next. Many films have tried this angle and almost all are failures, even this film's sequel.

Overall rating: 4.8 stars (close enough for 5).

Rating:
Summary: Don't watch this movie alone.
Review: This was the first werewolf movie that really
scared me to death.It took,literally a year or more
to get over it. I think it will be listed among the classic horror movies since movies began.

Rating:
Summary: The best werewolf movie to ever be made!!
Review: If you've seen The Howling, you've seen nothing yet. An American Werewolf In London is one of the best werewolf movies ever made. This one has a plot, a real story, and a sharp sense of humour to it. Two american boys are spending they're vacation in northern England hitch hiking. One night they come across a small village called The Slaughtered Lamb. When they find a pentegram on the wall and ask about it, they get too uncomfortable with the way the people act and decide to leave into the night. Once it starts to rain they wonder off the road and a howl strikes the air. When something snarls in front of them in the dark they run deeper into the moors lost and frightened. When david slips to the ground, Jack is left standing up for the werewolf to attack him first (very disturbinng and bloody attack). Then david is attacked for about three seconds before shots ring out. David is alive! Duh, with the curse of the werewolf of course. Very funny, brutal movie. One of the very best werewolf movies to be made.

Rating:
Summary: An American Werewolf in London
Review: Very scary. Very funny. Featuring the excellent Griffin Dunne. A must for fans of the genre. Why has John Landis made so much rubbish since?

Rating:
Summary: Horror comedy that's actually scary and funny
Review: John Landis movies usually have a strange blend of subtlety and low-brow, and this is no exception. The scary moments are memorable, and the black comedy of the frequent visits by the deceased is funny, grisly and even a little haunting. But I still don't understand that weird dream sequence where David Naughton's family is killed by demonic Nazis...

Rating:
Summary: I scene worst! -This is the best Wolf movie ever made.!
Review: This is the one two see..-The very best; -since; -"The Howling." -1980. -If you are a big wolf fan. -Interested with the make up and director. -The Human Morals surrounding these character turning into monsters.? Watch. -"The Howling." -1980. -and; -"American Werewolf in London." -Both. -Even though; -"The Howling is no comparison two this film.? This is a must see four; -Griffin Dunne; -David Naughton Fans. -I give this; -A Five star; -rating. -Don't bother watching the sequel. -It does not add up with this.? Though; -The second one seems pretty good. -Just stick with this one instead.