REVIEW: WOLFCOP / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR: LOWELL DEAN / SCREENPLAY: LOWELL DEAN / STARRING: LEO FAFARD, AMY MATYSIO, JONATHAN CHERRY, SARAH LIND, AIDAN DEVINE / RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 13TH
To break WolfCop down into its simplest terms, it’s a movie that centres on an alcoholic deputy sheriff who turns into a werewolf. As far as plots go, it’s pretty out there. Thing is, it’s a ridiculously enjoyable movie that long-time fans of horror and black humour will enjoy.
Opening the film, we’re introduced to Lou Garou (Fafard), who is a waste of space, alcohol-dependent cop who has the respect of absolutely nobody. After experiencing seemingly just another blackout, it becomes clear that Garou has actually been used by some shady, dark arts types for something much bigger than any hangover. Discovering he has heightened senses, it doesn’t take long before we’re treated to a practical-effects-heavy, visceral transformation that is very much in the vein of An American Werewolf in London rather than the sleek, soulless transformations of more modern fare. Managing to keep a relative understanding of what is going on around him, Garou sets out to get to the bottom of things, all whilst supping liquor and chowing down on doughnuts.
Now WolfCop could be taken as nothing more than a gimmick and just the latest in the line of movies trying to go for an odd angle in order to drum up some hype and attention. In fairness to Dean and his team, they have put together an absolutely brilliant flick that is tied together by humour, gore, and cheesy dialogue; its roots firmly in the dirty grindhouse-type horrors of the 1970s and ’80s. For fans of those movies, WolfCop will tick a whole host of boxes. In fact, the titular character even gets his own theme song during the end credits. And you’ve clearly never lived until you’ve seen a werewolf in a cop’s uniform micturating on some no-good graffiti artists. Then there’s even some interspecies erotica thrown in for good measure.
WolfCop is delivered tongue firmly in furry cheek, with the texture and ambience perfect for a movie of this ilk. Fafard seems perfectly cast as the everyman Garou and his hairy alter ego, whilst Jonathan Cherry’s awkward charisma as best friend Willy regularly steals the film. Sarah Lind delivers a murky love interest, whilst Amy Matysio is great as Garou’s fellow cop, bringing heart and innocence to a film shrouded in darker moments.
Credit goes to all involved for delivering a movie that has heart, humour, and hair aplenty. In the lead, we get a Canadian fur-ball that makes Wolverine look like a pussy cat, whilst the use of practical effects is a joy to behold. A mixture of ’70s/’80s cheese with a hint of Todd & The Book of Pure Evil, WolfCop is a movie that is most definitely worth the hype.
Expected Rating: 7 out of 10
Actual Rating:
