WEREWOLF BY NIGHT REVIEW (SPOILERS)

 

            This is going to be full of spoilers because I don’t think I can accurately say what I want to say while tiptoeing around plot points, so you’ve been warned.

            Werewolf By Night is the first MCU special and their first official entry into their horror “imprint” (you can arguably state Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was technically the first, but this one had the special Marvel Studios branding, hence my use of “official”). The special centered on the titular werewolf, Jack Russell (Gael Garcia Bernal), as he infiltrated a gathering of monster hunters to mourn the passing of the greatest of their number and their leader, Ulysses Bloodstone (voiced by Richard Dixon). Bloodstone was possessor of the legendary Bloodstone, which he used in his battle against monsters, and those gathered are to compete for the right to become the next wielder. The catch? They had to defeat a terrible monster it would be affixed to in a massive labyrinth garden.

Gentleman Jack.

            This short marked the first time that Jack was seen in live-action, having previously appeared in several cartoons and video games, and the return of Man-Thing (known simply as “Ted”, played by Carey Jones & Jeffrey Ford) since the abysmal Sci-Fi Channel film in 2005. It’s also the debut of Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly) in anything other than a video game. However, fans of the character may be surprised to see she’s not the foul-mouthed, gun-toting badass she is in the comics. Oh, she’s very badass, pulling out some killer fight moves in the few fight scenes, but this is more Elsa at the beginning of becoming the character in the comics (as stated in some interviews with Donnelly).

This is one Elsa that's not going to let it go.

            Werewolf by Night is Michael Giacchino’s third directorial effort, and the longest so far. And he did an incredible job. The whole special was an homage to the classic Universal monster movies of the 30s and 40s, with its being shot in mostly black and white (with spot coloring on the Bloodstone and full color at the end), the addition of film grain (although it was clearly shot on digital), extensive use of practical effects and sets (more so than other Marvel productions, which I’m sure the overworked VFX community appreciated), the opening and closing titles, and the music, which was also by Giacchino. They even did a retro “special presentation” intro like the networks used to do. The opening introduction to all the characters especially felt like a classic movie; it was only after they entered the garden did the modern start creeping in. And the way they did the werewolf transformation seen in only shadow and Elsa’s reaction to it was a real perfect way to build up the suspense. The werewolf costume and make-up looked great as well.

Shadow dance.

            The most interesting aspect of the special was the contrast between the so-called monsters and the monster hunters. Jack did everything he could to avoid hurting anyone, especially after he transformed (except those that deserved it, of course). Ted was acting in self-defense (those who know fear burn at the touch of the Man-Thing). And both of them actively worked to rescue the other. The monster hunters, however, were so eager to win the Bloodstone that they, without hesitation, were willing to slaughter each other to get it. And this was encouraged. So, it begs the question: who exactly were the real monsters?

You, uh, got a little something there...

            My only real negative was the final fight scene when the werewolf was unleashed. The choreography didn’t feel feral enough in parts. Werewolf Jack moved too much like a trained martial artist rather than a reactionary creature. Otherwise, the action was top-notch; with Elsa clearly getting some Black Widow-esque training and some savage finishing moves, and the visceral bloody ends to the Bloodstone goons delivered by the werewolf (this entry was allowed to be gorier than other Marvel projects since it lacked the color to indicate the liquid splashing the camera lens was blood).

Instructions from the dead.

            Overall, Werewolf By Night was fantastic (although I might’ve titled it Bloodstone, all things considered). In its short runtime it managed to accomplish everything it set out to do: introduce the horror side of Marvel, give us several new characters, and homage the classic monster films while giving us something completely new from the MCU. And yes, some of the MCU humor was present, but they were situationally appropriate and didn’t overstep their bounds like many feel it tends to do lately. The costume and special effects were well done, as were the few fight scenes. The lighting was on point, making effective use of the shadows with the lack of color. I hope the largely positive reaction I’ve seen towards this special encourages Marvel Studios to take more chances.

Just call him "Ted".

            Predicting it now: based on some reaction videos I’ve seen, Man-Thing will become the next Groot.