Here is a barebones release for that is destined to become a safe bet, bargain-bin-buy (perhaps I should create a “Triple B” moniker for such titles?) for 80s nostalgia fans. A film running on a reliable teen comedy formula, with an amusing supernatural twist. Plus Michael J. Fox is charming…how can we lose?
Film![]()
Scott is VERY close to having it all. He’s a first stringer on his basketball team, but they are the worst in the state. He finally gets the attention of the prettiest girl in class, but that’s only because he drops off stage supplies for her play. His friend is the coolest guy in school, but he’s always too busy getting kicked out of liquor stores and straight into the awaiting fists of rival school bullies. To top it all off, like many teenagers, he’s feeling new feelings, and getting hair where there wasn’t hair before…except puberty isn’t just giving him a squeaky voice, it’s turning him into a freaking werewolf!
What starts as a secret he shares only with his father and best friend “Styles,” blows up at a basketball game where the town ends up rallying behind his furry form because it not only makes him hairy, but gives him super strength, speed, and senses. After single handedly winning a basketball game, Scott, in his wolf form, becomes an instant superstar on and off the court. Besides, in this sleepy Nebraska town, there isn’t a whole lot going on so attending school with a ‘teen wolf’ is a nice change of pace for everyone.
This film runs the aforementioned ‘teen comedy formula’ rather smoothly. All the character archetypes are here, such as the cool friend, the girl-next-door love interest, the hot-girl lust interest, the token fat friend, the cocky jock rival, the overly mean vice-principal, and the underdog protagonist (yes, eat that “dog” pun right up in this case). Heck, the formula is so prolific in this film that the wolfman aspect that made it unique becomes all but a forgotten side-reference when it comes time to have the “big game” at the climax of the film.
Michael J. Fox, in true form, remains the perfect teen to root for. He may be going through the motions at times, but he does it with the sort of clumsy charm that makes this sort of oddball film work.
The film does have some odd editing choices, some of which make for now legendary WTF moments (for lack of a more graceful term), such as the revealing of the jocky villain’s odd stomach tattoo without explanation, or worst of all, the man with his fly open, exposing himself during the dying seconds before the frame freezes before the ending credits (look that one up on the internet folks…you’ll see why it’s so infamous). This was Director Rod Daniel first film, and his lack of experience shows. On top of that, he did not exactly go onto great things (such future gems include sequels to Beethoven and Home Alone). But it is easy to look past its minor flaws to see an entertaining enough 90 minutes of cinematic…not gold, ummm…lets just say cinema.
Video![]()
Widescreen 1.85:1. For a dated transfer, things are looking pretty good. For a film that wasn’t even given a menu screen, it just plays in a loop, some dedication went into ensuring that there was little fuzziness in the picture, just whatever was there in the previous DVD release.
The AVC is running at 38 MBPS, which is comparable, if not higher, than what I’ve seen for action films released within the last 3 years, never mind a comedy from over 25 years ago.
Audio![]()
English Mono DTS-HD master Audio as well as Spanish and French Mono available. For a mono track(s), things sound pretty darn good. All the background sounds of big crowd (in school or at basketball games) blend well with the music and dialogue without causing interruptions. A well treated track whose only hindrance is not being offered in a more full bodied stereo or surround. Personally, I have no problem with a Mono track so long as its mixed well, and here is a good example.
Special Features ![]()
None.
Final Thoughts ![]()
As mentioned before, this film will doubtlessly make for a safe buy on many a sales rack at your local movie retailer. A perfectly fine transfer onto Blu-ray for this film. All in all, it’s just some good, hairy fun.
