This is actually quite a good film, and not just because it exceeded all expectations. It’s a brilliant study of a small military unit under extreme duress.
These aren’t just any werewolves, either, but the product of an evil military experiment gone bad.
The characters are strong, their emotions sharp and realistic. The whole dynamic of a bunch of regular guys pulling together to save each other’s hides is truly engaging.
I learned that super glue was invented during the Viet Nam war to seal battle wounds in the field. One of the funniest scenes ever was when the REAL dog among the hostages gets a hold of the Sergeant’s guts (before they found the super glue) and starts tugging away like it was a string toy.
I do so enjoy films that have animal actors in them. They provide a realism that just can’t be done by any other means. This pooch is a star among canines.
The early scenes when the guys were shooting automatic weapons loaded with blanks (yellow fire suppressor at the end of the barrel) at a dark, unseen menace was a real hoot. They aimed and shot like the bullets were for real.
What a clever ruse — damn, when are these idiots going to realize they’re shooting blanks? Many a dame with a hubby getting on in years must no doubt feel the same way.
There’s a peculiar camaraderie among soldiers. They feed off each other’s strengths and cover for each other’s weaknesses. The weak link (dare I say the gay soldier) among them bolts early on, afraid of his own fears, panicking — and is of no consequence thereafter.
As well it should be, if you ask me. Why??
Before the guts start flowing, the guys gather around the campfire and carry on about their women, their exploits (and, if this was a REAL combat unit, it would get quite raunchy; but this is a politically correct flick). That’s how men in combat bond, really it is. What, the gay guy among them is going to brag about his conquests???
That would immediately void the super glue that makes the sum of combat soldiers far better than the individual parts. (Let gays serve in all gay units, where they can bond properly, in their mutual defense.)
Be that as it may, you know damn well the military will never stop looking for that magic potion that heals battle wounds quickly. Or the right mixture of herbs that makes a human being into a killing machine with no remorse, fear, self doubt, or sympathy for helpless puppy dogs.
And who among you wouldn’t happily pay the price for immortality:
Being a werewolf for a couple days every month, when the moon is full?
