The Film
I will not be threatened by a walking meatloaf!
You have to love David Naughton. He was a Pepper and a huge star, thanks to the 1981 John Landis-directed horror film, An American Werewolf in London. It still stands up as one of the best horror films to date -- so please don't remake it!
Part of the reason it works so well is because Landis found the perfect mix of comedy and horror. Sure, the mauling of a two American tourists doesn't sound like a rip-roaring good time, but it is. Naughton is the perfect wide-eyed protagonist. Of course, Griffin Dunne (or at least his rotting corpse) actually steals most of the film, as well as the best lines.
The Picture
This "Full Moon Edition" has been digitally remastered. However, it does show a lot of signs of age. Much of the film features hazy skies, which are a lot thicker thanks to all of the grain. Grainy images are throughout the film, but that sort of adds to its creepy factor. Overall, colors are dim and dark, but there is some nice detail in spots, most notably inside the Slaughtered Lamb. David's nightmares are a bit more vivid, as are the images. The colors get a bit more of a boost here, if you can actually see in between the hands covering your eyes. Makeup master Rick Baker's handwork is also pretty detailed, including the pieces of flesh hanging off Dunne's corpse.
The Sound
Sound comes off a lot better, thanks to this release's DTS-HD Master Audio track. Apparently the boonies of England are very rainy, so you can expect a host of weather-related sounds, including rain, thunder, and whipping winds aplenty. The best part, of course, is the howls, growls, and feasting of the werewolf, which seem to come at you from every angle. Some of those scary moments are almost too loud, just to make sure you jump, we're guessing. Don't worry though; you will and it won't distract too much from the overall experience.
The Extras
Naughton and Dunne make for a nice duo on-screen. In the studio, though, not so much. The commentary isn't constant and sort of boring. There are a few bright spots, but it comes off more like two friends talking behind you in the theater. We're guessing Landis would have been a lot chattier.
Other than that, there's a decent amount of extras for this classic horror flick. Expect plenty of outtakes, interviews, storyboards and other nifty tidbits. However, there are also two totally new extras that might make this purchase well worth the upgrade.
First is the all-new feature, "Beware the Moon." Host Paul Davis takes you on a guided tour of the locations from the film, while backstory is provided by Landis, Baker, Naughton, Dunne and a few others involved in the production. The 1:37-minute runtime may seem insane for a movie that only runs one minute longer, but it's a really comprehensive, must-see piece for fans of the movie and the genre.
Next of the newbies is "I Walked with a Werewolf," which is an additional 7.5 minutes with Baker. Sure he has another 11-minute feature on the disc, but he actually snagged an Oscar for this, so he deserves the additional spotlight.
Final Thoughts
Until we get a gander at what Benicio Del Toro and Joe Johnston (Hidalgo, Jumanji) can do with The Wolfman, we will still consider An American Werewolf in London to be the ultimate when it comes to hairy monster movies. The "Full Moon Edition" may not be demo-worthy material, but it's a nice refresher. Besides, it can still make you laugh and cringe 28 years later.
Product Details
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