Wolfcop is certainly not barking up the wrong tree in its tongue in cheek look at lycanthropy. This Canadian made film by writer/director Lowell Dean has plenty of bite in all the right places with jokes to those in the know and a style straight out of Creepshow. When considering this creature is better known in European folklore, some folks may well be understanding as to why the EU got the video release first.
This UK release is certainly worth importing in when there’s no signs of where to find the wolf in North America. Hopefully more details will emerge as to whether this region one release has the same collection of bonus material as the region two. So far, there’s no indicatations from Image Entertainment if there are any at all. And currently, this movie can be found at select film festivals and it is available for pre-order on Amazon.com
Hopefully the wolf’s curse will spread further around North America if anyone can wait just a little longer. Fans of horror-comedy should keep an ear out for Dean’s howl on social media outlets like Facebook or Twitter as to whether or not more theatrical screenings will happen.
In Lou Garou’s (Leo Fafard) case, to see his swagger in drive-in theatres is the best way to appreciate this film. Dean made this movie with that style of presentation in mind. And to see this character try to rationalize why he’s been affected will no doubt get viewers laughing. This lazy cop finds very little to care about in his job, enforcing the law, in a town rife with problems. Although he does not realize that he’s part of a grander plan, the plot is straight out of a B-movie product which involves cults and animal sacrifice. Uh oh, maybe this wolf better seek safer ground out in them thar hills.
When his town is rife with missing pets, something is amiss that Garou must eventually sniff out. He couldn’t be bothered with this mystery until his change. When he realizes he has newfound powers that can benefit him when the full moon rises, he finally has motivation to mete out justice. That includes some offbeat humour that borrows from The Munsters to complement the somewhat serious plot about a cult looking to create their next messiah.
This movie has the makings to achieve cult status in the same way other Canadian-made products — Todd and the Book of Pure Evil and A Little Bit Zombie — have made thier mark. Both are good-natured spoofs that makes heroes out of persons who are least likely to succeed. And, according to ShocktilluouDrop.com, there are investors interested in helping to get a sequel off the ground!
Production-wise, there’s a lot to like. Lou’s painful transformation sequence evokes a quality reminiscent of American Werewolf in Paris. The casting is spot-on with Farfard playing Garou. Jonathan Cherry (House of the Dead) is even quite decent as Willie. He provides the best laughs throughout the film as the side-kick who thinks a Wolfcop is cool. Even Tina (Amy Matysio, Stranded) deserves mention in how she tries to tame the savage beast.
In what is difficult when dealing with feral creatures is in how well will this appeal to the masses? If they are looking for campy delightful fun from the early 80’s, this movie is it. For something serious, this movie is not. All in all, if there was an Ozzy Osbourne appearance to sell the product, this film might be gracing American cinemas faster than Garou can bark at the moon.
Trying to get cinema-goers attention these days is hard. In the independent world of movies, that’s down-right impossible. At least this film knows it will appeal to that lone sheep down the street.
3½ Stars out of 5
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