Wolf (1994)

Seems almost like an exact cross between The Fly and Bram Stoker’s Dracula with a seemingly normal hero eerily transforming into an animal in a screwed up, artistic setting. An original plot and two of the most talented performers in the business. Refreshing seeing Nicholsen playing the role of a man who was trying to be a normal person for a change after getting used to his performances in The Shining, The Witches of Eastwick, and Batman.

Quite a few loose ends which were caused by cuts out of the final film or oversight by the producers of the movie. What significance did the beautiful place that Michelle Pfeiffer had chosen to die have in the movie? What ever happened to the wise doctor who gave Jack the amulet? Although it could be assumed that the two main characters roamed the wild as wolves, did the two ever get back together and have a little wolf pack of their own? Why did Nicholsen wear the same blue shirt and jacket for the entire movie, which covered over 3 days?

Cheesy effects. One noticeable fault of the special effects was the trouble Jack Nicholsen had landing on two feet after his extraordinary leaps. Wouldn’t one assume that an animal that could leap three times its own height would naturally be able to handle the landings somewhat balanced instead of falling over like Nicholsen? I must say that I enjoyed the way the human’s face was transformed into a wolf. It was very effective in the scenes under the moonlight in the forest. It was also nice seeing that little clip by Industrial Light & Magic of a hairy paw changing to a human hand.

The movie was enjoyable, but under top notch direction and special effects, it could have been a hit. But a great cast, an original plot, and special effects won’t guarantee a summer smash.