After seeing the screening of "The Wolfman", my companion and I were trying to decide on a restaurant. Almost simultaneously we looked at each other and said "vegetarian!".  Yes, after watching the gore-fest up on the big screen, tofu has never looked so good.

"The Wolfman" is a sinister and gory film based on the 1941 classic. I happen to be a fan of scare-fests, and all of those classic horror flicks including "The Mummy", "Frankenstein", and yes, "The Wolfman".  So here is the good news/bad news on this version. 

First of all, Benecio Del Toro is perfectly cast as the Lawrence Talbot, who transforms into the ruthless beast during a full moon. Set in 1880's London, he returns to his family home after the disappearance of his brother Ben. His estranged father, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins, and his brother's fiance portrayed by Emily Blunt, await his arrival.

The artistic eye of director Joe Johnston is unfailing in creating the time period and the eerie mood. One look at the decrepit family mansion and your heart starts beating faster. Finding the mangled body of his brother Ben, Lawrence helps to track down the monster responsible for the savage mauling.

And of course a deeper connection starts to form between Lawrence and his brother's bereft fiance. Emily Blunt is underused in this film, but it shows what a terrific actress she is that she can breath life into a thin script. You long for more chemistry between this version of beauty and the beast, and the story line just doesn't let their deep romance, which is crucial to the outcome, breathe.

As for Sir Anthony, we know he's up to no good in this, and i wish his over the top dialogue and evil glares could have been reigned in more by the director. Where is Hannibal Lector when we need him? 

The best part of the film is watching Benecio morph slowly into the creature. The masterful special effects are breathtaking. You just wish the rest of the film would take it's time building to the final crescendo. The ending is fast, confusing, and unsatisfying. I give this wolfman "two howls" at the moon, out of four.