Wolfcop is certainly not barking up the wrong tree in its tongue in cheek look at lycanthropy. This Canadian made film by writer/director Lowell Dean has plenty of bite in all the right places with in-jokes to those in the know and a style straight out of Creepshow. When considering this creature is better known in European folklore, some folks may well be understanding as to why the EU is getting a video release first. A UK release is certainly worth importing in.
Hopefully the curse will spread to North America (are you listening, Scream Factory!?) but for now it lurks in special screenings. Fans of horror-comedy should hunt for Lou Garou (Leo Fafard) as he rationalizes why he has been affected. Although he does not realize that he’s part of a grander plan, this lazy-ass cop finds very little to care about in his job or much less enforcement in a town rife with problems.
In a town where its rife with missing pets, something is amiss that Garou has to sniff out. He couldn’t be bothered with this case until his change. When he realizes he has newfound powers granted to him when the full moon rises, he findsmotivation to mete out justice in the only style he knows that’s possible. That includes some offbeat humour that borrows from The Munsters to complement the serious plot about a cult looking to create their next messiah.
This movie has the makings to achieve cult status in the same way another Canadian-made product, Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, has made its mark. Both are campy good-natured products that makes heroes out of persons who are least likely to succeed.
Production-wise, there’s a lot to like. Lou’s painful transformation sequence evokes a quality reminiscent of American Werewolf in Paris. The casting is spot-on with Farfard playing Garou. Jonathan Cherry (House of the Dead) is spot on as Willie. He provides the best laughs throughout the film as the side-kick who thinks a Wolfcop is cool. Even Tina (AmyMatysio, Stranded) deserves mention in how she tries to tame the savage beast.
In what is difficult when dealing with feral creatures is in how well will this appeal to the masses? If they are looking for campy delightful fun from the early 80’s, this movie is it. For something serious, this movie is not. All in all, if there wasa Ozzy Osbourne appearance to sell the product, it’d be gracing American cinemas faster than he can bark at the moon.
