Review: The Howling (1981)

It's hard to not compare this movie to the other 1981 werewolf movie An American Werewolf in London (and I suppose, 1981's Wolfen, which seems to be an also-ran amongst the three), possibly my favorite movie from that particular year.  The Howling is a much more serious take on the werewolf myth, and the different approach helps to separate the two even if comparisons are inevitable.

The film primarily follows journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) as she helps the police to capture serial killer Eddie Quist (Robert Picardo), the experience of which causes such her such trauma that she and her husband Bill (Christopher Stone) end up going to The Colony, a secluded resort where she can receive treatment.  Things do not go well for her there.

The first and only direct comparison I will make has to be the transformations between the two movies.  While An American Werewolf in London's transformation is (justifiably) legendary, The Howling has nothing to be ashamed of.  Both make the process look painful, and The Howling has the benefit of multiple transformations from multiple characters.  There is a bit of inconsistency in the transformations, but they are minor and do not take anything away from the film.

The acting is relatively strong, although the acting styles are all over the place.  Weirdly, this works for the film - you have some performances camped up (Picardo and Elisabeth Brooks), some that are performing as if they are in a Hammer film from the 50s (Patrick Macnee and John Carradine), and some with a more naturalistic approach (Wallace and film standout Belinda Balaski).  You'd think this mishmash of styles would cause friction, but it all blends together perfectly.

Director Joe Dante has some interesting shots scattered throughout, though nothing as fun or as inventive as in Piranha or Gremlins.  He doesn't make any questionable decisions, but it does lack a bit of the spark that those other two movies had.  Perhaps he was more comfortable indulging in a bit of humor in those other two which this one lacked.

Overall, this is a pretty solid movie.  It won't be my favorite werewolf movie, Joe Dante movie, or Dee Wallace movie, but definitely one I'll probably end up watching again.  The real question is, will I watch any of the 6 other movies in the franchise?  Maybe, but probably not for this month's movies.  But I would recommend this to others, especially if they enjoy horror.

7 out of 10