Gevry- The Wolfman

The transformation from man to werewolf is always a fantastic one for a moviegoer to see. Yet, with the amount of technological advancements over the years the journey has gotten far better. From the 1940s The Wolf Man to the 2010 The Wolfman, the effect this has on the metamorphosis from man to wolf. Immense bounds in CGI make the newest version of The Wolfman, directed by Joe Johnston, a visual feast for the viewer. Whereas the transformation within the 1940s version, though surely a spectacle in its day nowadays is hardly a movie going revolution. In Johnston’s film the viewer sees the Lawrence Talbot, as portrayed by Benicio Del Toro, completely transform himself into a full blooded, all out werewolf. From the make-up to the computer animation an entirely new creature takes form when the moon is full. Unfortunately in 1941 film, directed by George Waggner, the viewer doesn’t see the same transformation on such a spectacular level. Sure, Lon Chaney Jr.’s wolfman grows a lot of hair all over, gets a few sharper teeth, and walks on his tip toes but it doesn’t have the same effect as the newest version does- I mean the wolfman is supposed to be wild and ferocious yet in Waggner’s version he still wear a tucked in shirt with pants and a belt. Ferocious? I think not. Though both films are extremely entertaining and truly amazing works, when it comes down to which film harbored the best transformation from human to beast that would have to the 2010 The Wolfman, hands down.

And here is the winner:

Christian- Fenwick, Wolfman

The two versions of the Wolfman were different in many respects: the acting styles, the story at points and the technology. Modern audiences have been thrilled by films such as Avatar with its amazing graphics, but simple and expected story. They have been tantalized by the sights and monsters produced by movies such as District 9. These element of CGI and cinematographic artistry were added to the remake, but not as successfully as the cast, crew and producers may have hoped. The older 1941 original version forced the audience to buy into the story of the film by stimulating their imaginations in the transformation. Nothing is scarier to a person than what they thin up themselves. While the graphics and the film of the original version seemed stilted and unrealistic to a modern day audience, it was astronomic at the time and absolutely thrilling to watch. With the 2010 version of Wolfman, I felt like the use of all the technology allowed for a movie in which the audience was entirely separated from the film and was not intellectually involved at any level with the film. The CGI and make allowed for the viewer to sit back and have someone create and imagine for them. It made the movie less thrilling because there was no personal thought put into the viewing of the film.