WolfCop Blu-ray Review
Written by Katie Bonham
Blu-ray released by Studiocanal
Written and directed by Lowell Dean
2014, Region B, 79 minutes, Rated 15 (UK)
Blu-ray released on October 13th 2014
Starring:
Leo Fafard as Lou/WolfCop
Amy Matysio as Tina
Jonathan Cherry as Willie
Sarah Lind as Jessica
Review:
Lou Garou is a small town cop who prefers to spend his days drinking in the local bar instead of fighting crime. After another drunken evening a confused Lou awakens, branded with a strange symbol on his chest. Cue a series of strange events involving a large wolf-like animal and as Lou's nights become more distorted he realises he is the wolf. Lou must find out who has cursed him and why. With the help of his friend Willie they begin an investigation into the warped underworld of this seemingly sleepy town. Insert an investigation montage and the film is in the realms of the occult. WolfCop is a low budget Canadian comedy-horror that offers supernatural fun combined with slapstick comedy.
Lou Fafard stars as the anti-hero in the dual role of Lou and Wolfcop and it's largely his performance of the wolf alter ego that carries the film. The human Lou has wild alcoholic tendencies, a lone wolf mentality, animalistic sexual drive and his general appearance — which consists of stubble and bushy hair — that all personify the wolf he is to become and maybe always was.
The wolf alter ego is created with a practical costume and no computer enhancements, providing a refreshing change from CGI which, when done badly, is usually received with groans of disappointment. Most of the gruesome killing scenes also benefit from practical effects which, although not always believable, allow for some awesome humour. Fans of lycan films all wait with baited breath and anticipation for the most important moment - the transformation scene; valued by its quality and execution, this is a key element that weighs heavily on all shape shifting films. WolfCop creates a gloriously gory scene and leaves behind a very messy trail in an impressive skin-shedding scenario. In most other werewolf films sex scenes are restricted to same species interrelations. WolfCop features bestiality showing the 'release of the beast', literally, the term 'natural urges' becomes an understatement.
WolfCop is not what I expected from the trailer and the cool 80s pop artwork. It's not that it's a bad film, it just falls short of a very clever marketing campaign, which promised big cities and sinister bad guys, reminiscent of 80s cop films. Although the story progresses with Lou becoming a better cop as he embraces the beast within, the storyline is lost towards the end of the film. It's a fun and comical take on the lycan theme with some awesome violent ass-kicking moments from the Wolfcop. Go in with an open mind and be prepared for the many wolf gags.
I'm sorry:
Every full moon I would feel strange. But I'm alright Nooowwwhooowwwww! (Read in a loud howl)
Video and Audio:
WolfCop is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 the colouring of greens and browns creates an earthy feel reminiscent of the woodland and the primal landscape of the beast.
The audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 and the sound is good quality. There are a few distorted moments on some of the extras, but this was due to poor recording on the day.
Special Features:
WolfCop is packed with special features which include: WolfCop Unleashed (Behind the Scenes Featurette), WolfCop Music Video, Gag Reel, Banff Film Festival Feature, Promo Clips and Trailers. The behind the scenes featurette shows the dedication and struggle this team had to get WolfCop into production. It showcases the crew mucking in on set, including a Leo Fafard welding his own WolfCop car. The passion and love from the crew to film the entire feature within 17 days shines through this featurette.
The rest of the extras are pretty disappointing, the music video is a very weak mimic of WolfCop, and the gag reel is just embarrassing.
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