Le Poil de la Bete
a.k.a.
The Hair of the Beast (2010)
a.k.a.
The Hair of the Beast (2010)
Brief review: This Canadian period-piece werewolf flick takes place in 1665 in New France. Our protagonist, Joseph Cote, escapes from prison to avoid death by hanging. As colonial soldiers chase him, Joseph takes on the identity of a Jesuit and hides in Beaufort, where he soon discovers werewolves are terrorizing the village. "Le Poil de la Bete"'s biggest problem is not the lack of originality, but the lack of actual thrills and chills - there's not a single truly intense or scary scene in the entire movie.. and not even a funny one. It's doesn't even fall into the 'so bad it's good' category. In fact, this completely plot-less Canadian werewolf flick is so sterile and unsubstantial, it makes "The Wolfman" seem like a masterpiece. The visuals are the only area where the film really succeeds. The production design is excellent, and represents the era accurately and quite beautifully, and the fantastically gloomy cinematography fits the tone of the movie really well. Having said that, the practical effects are cheesy at best, as the the werewolves themselves look quite unpolished, and more ridiculous rather than scary. The acting is sub-par from everyone involved, without any particular standout performances, or at least a decent one.
Overall summary: Nicely-shot and visually-atmospheric, yet completely pointless and overstuffed with werewolf clichés, "The Hair of the Beast" is a classic example of 'style over substance'.
Overall summary: Nicely-shot and visually-atmospheric, yet completely pointless and overstuffed with werewolf clichés, "The Hair of the Beast" is a classic example of 'style over substance'.
12 comments:
I have never had any luck with werewolf movies so this sounds about spot on to what I would expect. Plus, no scary scenes-WHAT!?
Which by the way I didn't realize English wasn't your first language so you're doing WAY better than I thought, my goodness!
It's good to hear someone didn't like "The Hangover." I thought it had one funny part and that is it. Everything else was pure stupidity.
Nicole, if you need to see a good werewolf flick, check out Ginger Snaps and its sequels. This one sucked big time!
You didn't? Well, I'll take that as a compliment :) Oh, believe me, I hated it.. it was so cliched and painfully unfunny. I couldn't believe the hype, seriously.
I loved Ginger Snaps and I loved The Wolfman- though I was probably the only person who thought it was great. Werewolves are my monster of choice and I hate it when they cheat out with only eyes or a disembodied claw, or CGI four-legged wolves. If you say they have bad looking werewolves, I'm already disappointed, but I will see it on principle because of my love for all things werewolf.
I thought Wolfman (the new remake) was ok. I guess for werewolves you really always have to go back to American Werewolf in London, which still scares the hell out me, it has just always freaked me out. Or for fun, Dog Soldiers!
Mel, I'm one of Ginger Snaps biggest fan. I loved the whole franchise, even the so-called prequel. The most unique werewolf flicks ever.
Just like you, I hate when they cheat out with red eyes for example. It's so ridiculous! Which werewolf transformation is your favorite? :)
Russ, I did too. By saying okay, I mean watchable - nothing more, nothing less.
Dog soldiers is probably my favorite werewolf flick, though I remember I wasn't completely satisfied with the look of the werewolves in the film. If I have to be honest, I don't remember a thing from American Werewolf in London. Do you reckon I need to see it again? :)
My two fave werewolf transformations are The Howling and American Werewolf In London. They are still the best werewolf movies in my opinion, though the Ginger franchise is right up there along with Dog Soldiers.
Mel, honestly said, I barely remember both The Howling and American Werewolf In London. Its' been a while since I watched those.
I absolutely agree about DS and GS franchise, though. They were equally as good.
You and me should both see American Werewolf in London again. Like I said, it scares the bejesus out me though. I put a youtube clip of the famous transformation scene in a blog post and couldn't actually watch it all the way through! Shudder!
Russ, WOW! Was it really that scary? I should check it out like... right now! :)
so many werewolf movies lately I have lost my interest in them and this one certainly doesnt revive my interest, too many film makers go for 'style over substance' these days it gets boring
Though I love watching werewolf flicks, I have to agree with you, Demps. They all feel the same, which is ridiculous!
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