Horror fans can get snobby over a filmmaker’s credentials. John Landis was known for Comedy, so a straight-up terrifying werewolf movie was a real swerve on the surface. However, Landis brought his comedy instincts with him creating one of the most successful blends of Horror and Comedy.
The opening is as atmospheric as the best of Hammer Horror and the first werewolf attack is terrifying. After that, Landis careens wildly between the two tones. A bit too far with the Nazi Zombies scene, and he comes up short with the over-edited finale. The rest, however, keeps you on your toes. This includes decomposing Griffin Dunne as the deceased friend who keeps encouraging David to kill himself and Makeup Genius Rick Baker delivering the greatest werewolf transformation there will probably ever be now that computer effects can smooth out all the “wow”.
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