Brotherhood of the Wolf

Rating:
Summary: An enticing monster movie from Europe
Review: From the film's title, one expects a pretty much straightforward werewolf flick - and French, to boot. Probing further, the disc jacket blurb counteracts that impression a bit, foreshadowing that the beast (though vicious) isn't quite what, at first, it seems to be.

However, the film had some trouble deciding what *it* wanted to be, or coming across as being entirely original. In short, it borrows (not too subtly) from The Name of the Rose (narrative - murder mystery / whodunit) meets Beastmaster (animal communication) meets The Matrix (over-the-top martial arts sequences) meets The Last of the Mohicans (the "inscrutable Native American") meets Little Red Riding Hood (as interpreted by the film A Company of Wolves, by the costumes and other themes) meets The Count of Monte Cristo (saying why might give away too much). Further confirming this impression, the director explains (in the disc extras) how the film pays "homage" to yet other various films. Indeed.

On the other hand, the characters, beautiful cinematography, good sense of atmosphere and pacing ultimately draw you in. With the exception of the (admittedly well done) martial arts sequences, which seemed superfluous to the point of distraction (and c'mon, martial arts in 18th century Europe - performed by a Native American?), it's well crafted fare.

Not nearly as scary or gory (save the taxidermy scene) as a typical "monster" flick, it nevertheless has its share of surprises and plot twists, and is worth the attention of folks who normally would shun (as well as enjoy) that genre.

Rating:
Summary: Great Great Great Movie
Review: This is one of the best movies ever made! Dacascos is one of the greatest martial artists on the big or little screen ever. This movie has it all...great fights...gothic scenery...scary plot...and beautiful women. If you lke the martial arts or scary movies you need this movie. Even if you don't like the previousley mentioned (there is something wrong with you) you still should enjoy this beautiful movie. I can not say enough good things about Brotherhood of the Wolf.

Rating:
Summary: Fairly Original, Still A Little Disappointing
Review: I missed this in the theater, but on the advice of a friend, bought the 3-disc special edition DVD because of complaints that the U.S. DVD release had about ten or fifteen minutes cut from it.

This is a fun period-piece/action/horror/political intrique story. I love werewolf movies, so was very much looking forward to it. As in all horror films, there is a great deal taken for granted, in order to allow you to believe in the unbelievable. I don't want to give any plot-spoilers, I will only say that I became a little disappointed when the plot turned away from pure supernatural and went into the mystery genre. But the film is beautiful to behold. It is a mist-shrouded, gothic tail with lovely vistas, dirty lived-in castles, ultra-macho heroes and unbelievably beautiful women. You can watch the film with a dubbed english soundtrack performed with excellant voice-actors, or the original french with english subtitles.

It's a pricey package, perhaps too pricey, but if you're a stickler for getting the original film, you might want to look for this French-Canadian 3-disc set. If you don't mind a missing ten minutes or so of footage, then buy the U.S. single disc. I would suggest the widescreen (everytime) as this is a beautiful film, with colorful, sweeping landscapes.

Rating:
Summary: A French action film that rivals anything out of Hollywood
Review: A French action film? Yes, indeed. And a good one, to boot. For those who are contemplating seeing this film, it might most helpfully be described as a cross between an 18th century French version of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and a horror film. By any standard, this is a highly unusual film, and for the most part very interesting and highly enjoyable. In the end, the story it tells is a bit too disjointed and unfocused to be completely successful. Nonetheless, it is easily one of the more original films of the past couple of years. I can't imagine many people finding nothing to enjoy in it.

One of the features of the film attracting the most attention is the superb martial arts action. While both star Samuel Le Bihan and his costar Mark Dacoscos do more than their fair share of fighting, it is American martial arts champion Dacosos (playing a Native American shaman) who nearly steals the film. In fact, Dacoscos is so compelling in his role that I would be amazed if this film did not lead to a bevy of major film roles, in the martial arts genre if no other. It is easy to imagine him as an American Jet Li.

The cast is superb, most of whom will be unfamiliar to American viewers. The one exception will be Monica Belluci, who had a major international hit in the film MALENA, and who will become far better known in the US after the MATRIX sequels appear. The film is also superb looking, with tremendous locations in the French Pyrénées. The sets, the costumes, the actors, just about everything in the film is first rate.

My lone complaint is that the film isn't terribly well focused in the story it is trying to tell. Had the script been tightened and perhaps shortened, I think the film would have been more entertaining and interesting. Nonetheless, this film is an enormously entertaining. It is also the closest thing to a Hollywood action film that one can imagine coming out of the French film industry. Very few American-made films will have the degree or quality of actions sequences to be found in this film.

Rating:
Summary: A neat French movie with some spice
Review: This French movie is like a French wine: tasty, long lasting and smells good. It's an intelligent story about famous French legend, telling the story of a creature-like-a-wolf grazing on humans in pre-revolution French countryside. It's a political thriller and horror at the same time. There is great sword playing, and karate chopping. The plot is interesting and nicely woven with all emerging characters. We should import more foreign movies like that.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Romp
Review: It's Loud! It's Goofy! It's got a swell French Cat-house! And Kung Fu!
Don't get too serious on this one, but turn off half your brain and enjoy. I had a great time watching this flick. It's beautifully shot and energetically (or enthusiastically) edited. It is a bit too long however, but beyond that... IT ROCKS!!

Rating:
Summary: The Beast of Gevaudan Strikes AGAIN!
Review: From 1764 to 1769, something (for that is the only way to describe it) terrorized the countryside of southern France, killing about a hundred people. While its legacy lives on as one of the most well known (and frightening) werewolf stories of all times, exactly what happens remains a mystery. This movie does not seek to explain the events. Indeed, some artistic liberties are taken. Instead, it provides an exciting (and frightening) possible theory on the events which took place in Gevaudan. Whether or not things really went like this is up to debate, but the fact remains that this movie is easily one of the most enjoyable horror movies of our day. After seeing the French trailer for this movie, I was deeply saddened when I learned that no theatre near me was playing this movie. I had since been counting down the days until I could get my hands on the DVD, and I am so glad I did. The movie is both terrifying and wonderful. Sometimes it even makes you afraid to go out at night. This movie is a definite classic, especially with halloween right around the corner. If you have not seen this movie, go out and rent it right now! It is a true masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: Best movie ever
Review: The movie Brotherhood of the Wolf was excelent in the way of fight scenes and pretty good in the way of plot. Here are some points the make this movie one of the best of all time.

1. Setting is almost always dark or rainy to kind of give you that old age french feeling. It also helps give it a more erie feeling with scenes were the beast is attacking someone.

2. Fight scenes are slowed down so you can actually see what's going on in the scene. The fight scenes are also rough looking to kind of give you the feel as if you are actually seeing it.

3. Costuming also helps out the setting and scenary to help give it the kind of the old age look. The first fight scene the two heros look cool.

4. Motive to hate the bad guy and like the good guy, this is an essential part in a movie and most screenwriters and directors arn't very good at getting the point across.

Warning: The movie is better in French for the reason that it sounds smoother.

Rating:
Summary: was not what I expected
Review: This movie was more of a love story and the movie itself was
the worst movie I have seen this year. Dont buy this movie it
is that bad.

Rating:
Summary: Whoa! Brother!
Review: Flawed? Maybe. Stereotyped maybe. Entertaining Fun? Yea Baby. Mark Dacascos best all around movie.Crying Freeman had atmosphere & Drive had action this has both and more! After viewing this (over 2 hour) movie I felt like watching it again. No other film has done that to me except the Bruce Lee films of the Day and they wern't this long. Bravo Mr Gans & Dacascos. And stay away from Hollywood formula films Pretty Please!