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Brotherhood of the Wolf

Brotherhood of the Wolf

List Price: $19.98
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Even though this was a sub-titled movie - which I'm not crazy about- the action, the imagery were totally fabulous and this movie was totally engrossing! Outstanding! Not to be missed!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Bad
Review: This movie could have been one the most brilliant horror/action comedies in recent memory that is if it didn't take itself so damn seriously. Most action movies wink at the audience even "The Matrix" doesn't take itself too seriously. Unfortuantely Gans(the director) and everyone involved on this thinks that they are making God's action movie and if you don't believe me take a look at any review Christophe Gans gave about this movie, check out the DVD in the special features he talks about how great the movie is OK Mr. Gans you keep telling yourself that.
I went and saw this movie opening night the week after seeing "Amelie", I was expecting a quality movie instead a disorganized mess insued and that was apparent with the second fight scene I have never seen a movie that has 8 different endings. Anyways in order to enjoy the movie take it as a joke it will keep you sane.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: nice package
Review: Finally got the DVD! Not only is Les Pacts des Loups a great movie, but this package, with the extras and deleted scenes, is rather nice. The language options and subtitles (I really don't like English dubbing) were rather detailed offerings, so the movie could be enjoyed as it was in the theatres.

The sound is quiet nice, sending the subwoofer off, well, quite often, and the colors are as rich, sharp, and vibrant as in the theatre (and for a period/graphic piece where color has meaning, this was essential).

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A french werewolf movie; sort of...
Review: I can't help but feel as if this movie doesn't quite seem to know what it wants to be. The best way to sum it up would be "a quasi-romantic French (I watched the European version with the original French audio) Kung Fu thriller set against a historic background".

The story starts when Grégoire de Fronsac, a knight serving the King of France as a preparator of animals and his Iroquois bloodbrother Mani arrive in the Gévaudan to investigate claims about a mysterious animal that slaughters woman and children.

Many hunts have been organised, and all failed to capture the beast so far. It's de Fronsac's mission to find out everything he can about the animal, kill it, and then bring it back to the King's palace.

As the search goes on, de Fronsac gets caught in a web of intrigue, a plot to overthrow the King, and a romantic relationship with a gorgeous noblewoman.

While the camerawork is absolutely amazing, the costumes and surroundings are done really well, and the acting also is way better than one would expect in the average French movie, I for one never really got sucked into the story. Maybe it is because one moment one feels as if watching a Jackie Chan movie, while the next a romantic flick, followed by heavy action sequences. Maybe it is because when the 'beast' is shown, it doesn't realy manage to strike terror into the viewer's heart.

All in all, if you're looking for a werewolf thriller, there's certainly better stuff on the market (i.e. 'Dog Soldiers'); if you're looking for a historic movie, 'Quills' and 'The Count of Monte Cristo' seem like a better choice; for Kung Fu, there's tons of good movies out there.

However, if you're looking for a mixture of all of these, you probably will enjoy this movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I really went into this movie confused. No doubt many other American viewers did as well. All I knew was that this was a foreign film, French no less, with American style tension and violence with a nice tab of Hong Kong wife fu. Oh, it's also set in pre-revolution France. Oh, it also stars an Indian who can pull off some of the best martial art moves this side of Bruce Lee. Given these facts, this sounds like an instant addition to the B movie pile at [a discount store]. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Brotherhood of the Wolf not only has an absorbing and intriguing storyline, but it has some really great action scenes, matching some of those found in the Matrix.

The story takes us to the French countryside in 1764. A vicious beast is hunting down peasants in the countryside, tearing them to pieces with animalistic fury. Numerous mass hunts have been unsuccessful, so the King calls in Monsieur Fronsac, a war veteran and noted naturalist. His assistant is a Native American, Mani. Together, they team up with the locals to go find this monster. However, it becomes clear to Fronsac that some of the authorities are not interested in solving the actual problem, as they mysteriously impede his hunt. The darkness unfolds as Fronsac delves deeper into the conspiracy, as the stonewall campaign becomes deadly for all involved. His case is further complicated by his love for the beautiful Marianne, while at the same falling under the spell of the mysterious and gorgeous prostitute Sylvia.

The best part of this movie is the shooting. I hope whoever the filmographer was got all kinds of award, because I would be hard pressed to recall such haunting scenes and landscapes. It is one of those rare times the background of a movie stands out more than some of the actors. Also, who knew the French could pull action off so well? I really loved some of the fight scenes in this movie, they have just the right amount of believability and gore to make them great. Nothing like an angry Native American who knows how to use a Tomahawk, it was like Last of the Mohicans on steroids. The acting is sufficient, nothing special, but it does not hurt the movie. More than sufficient is the all around beautiful cast of females in this movie. Turns out, most women in olden times were not affected by the bad health and horrible food, and soon blossomed into voluptuous super models. Not a problem with this viewer, as Monica Bellucci plays a great prostitute.

Brotherhood of the Wolf takes the elegance and erotica of a The Age of Innocence and combines it with the fierce battles and hand to hand combat of The Last of the Mohicans and the Matrix. A great movie ensues.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Doesnt know what it wants to be
Review: Wants to be a European movie but still has influence of American movies like 'Alien' and the 'Matrix'. Too much of a cinematic confussion.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Buy this movie NOW
Review: Probably one of the best films ever made. It doesn't waste time explaining history to uneducated morons, but instead goes right into one of the best thought out plots in movie history. Bihan gives an amazing performance as the Batmanish Fronsac. Mani, definitely one of the coolest characters to ever appear in a movie, is portrayed by Hawaiian actor, Mark Dacascus. Monica Bellucci's main role is to be extremely hot, and she pulls it off perfectly. Overall, this is an amazing adventure movie with great romance, mystery, acting, and probably the best sword fight of all time. This is amust-have for any smart movie collector. Special Note: Watch this film with subtitles. The dubbing is horrid and destroys the acting (like with many Asian films)...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent though a little slow moving
Review: This movie was an excellent film, although slow moving at times. The effects are great and the action is amazing. It's a small town being plagued by a murderous beast and two men sent by the king have come to uncover the truth and capture/kill the creature. It is not trashy horror like Nightmare on Elmstreet. The gore is in "taste" for lack of a better word and the acting is wonderful. This film is French, but with English dubbed over. So the mouth's don't match what's being said, but hey you get used to it after a while. I really enjoyed the film and was a well done story.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I like my genres shaken, not stirred...
Review: Without any doubt, this is the best Monster Kung-fu Romance Costume-Drama Horror movie ever made about the French Revolution.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: French wolf flick has both bark and bite...
Review: Ingredients:

1 part Beowulf
1 part Pride and Prejudice
1 large angry wolf monster
Sprinkle librally with Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
French Fries

This intriguing mixture of French period drama and kung-fu action film might not be for everyone. Its a long haul at 2 and a half hours, (subtitles and all for those of us that don't speak French) which is, to be fair, about 40 mins too long. It has a kind of nutty French flair to it, that might not appeal to everyone. And yes, its a martial-arts-werewolf-costume thriller, which I have to admit is about as unusual as your genre gets.

But, for those willing to stick it out, Brotherhood is a taut action thriller, with plenty of lovely costumes, suacy maidens, rounded characters and a nice line in scary monster. Set in 18th century Gevaudan, Brotherhood is based on the 'true' myth of the terrible wolf-like beast that claimed over 100 lives, and gripped the nation with hysteria. Sent to give the beast a good slapping are moodily handsome Samuel Le Bihan as a Knight of the Realm, and his enigmatic American Indian blood brother, played to silent perfection by martial-artist Marc Dacascos.

Cue much exploring the chilly French countryside, dueling with the local gypsy hoodlems, throwing tomahawks at the 'don't really see it until the end' wolf beast, and flirting with various 'something to hide' buxom beauties.

The film doesn't really capitalise on any one of its identities enough to keep the pace up - the action is sporadic, the tension strained by the long, character-developing interludes. However, when it comes, the action is tightly arranged, skillfully executed, and really rather gripping...despite some ropey CGI the monster is really quite nasty, and most importantly, the characters aren't just costume-drama cutouts.

For a little slice of every genre, lovingly filmed and framed, I'm more than willing to overlook this films shortcomings in momentum and, well, logic. Not fun for all the family, but great if you like your monster films classy and unusual.


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