7 critics review Saskatchewan-made WolfCop

The comedy-horror WolfCop opened in movie theatres across Western Canada on the weekend.

The film, by writer-director Lowell Dean, was shot in Regina and Moose Jaw with prize money from a national competition and a boost from Saskatchewan's now-defunct film and video tax credit subsidy.

One element of the prize, from CineCoup, included a guaranteed theatrical run at Cineplex.

Here is what some critics are saying about the film:

• Scott Hallam / Dreadcentral.com

- "WolfCop is loaded with attempts at comedy. And you'll know pretty early on whether you're going to enjoy it or not. The story is not going to blow you away so it's the F/X work and the humour that are going to entice you. There are plenty of wolfy references to things like The Boy Who Cried Wolf and the aforementioned Little Red Riding Hood. But in addition to that are the unfamiliar situations in which we find our werewolf. Whether it's firing off a machine gun, slugging down bourbon or smoking a cigarette, WolfCop takes our hairy hero to places we don't normally see wolfmen. And it works."

- "But overall it's a fun time at the movies. And isn't that what it's all about? You will laugh out loud and see some cool werewolf transformations and bloody battle scenes. This is a movie that knows exactly what it is and is basically winking at the audience the entire time."

• Craig Anderson / Fangoria

- "The transformation scene has always been the Holy Grail, the money shot for werewolf buffs, and Ziffle does not disappoint, going with a skin-molt transformation that has a few pleasantly gross twists and leaves one hell of a mess.

- "It is pleasantly warming to see a werewolf slashing, biting and beheading the unsuspecting, and especially the solely deserving. While WOLFCOP does tend to overreach, and too-often falls back on its predictable buddy-cop formula splatstick shtick, it’s still plenty fun, giving one hope that WOLFCOP 2 will add a bit more sophistication to balance the quality fuzzy fuzz action."

• Greg Klymkiw / The Film Corner

- "There's a lot wrong with the movie, but it gets a few things right. First and foremost, the special makeup effects are out of this world. Eschewing digital enhancements, the werewolf look is achieved via real makeup and prosthetics. This is not only cool, but the movie kicks major butt during the transformation scenes."

- "First and foremost, it's really disappointing that the film is set in some generic North American small-town. Given that the film is shot in two of Canada's cheesiest, sleaziest backwards cities, Regina and Moosejaw [sic], one wonders why the movie is simply not set there — in Canada! Canada is not only exotic to foreign markets, but can be really damn funny.

- "What we've got here is a great idea, a talented filmmaker, a terrific cast and a creative team who could well have lived up to the overall promise of the piece. Alas, the screenplay lacks punch and genuine edge."

• Steve Newton / Georgia Strait

- "WolfCop looks like it could have been a hoot to make, because judging by the finished product, nobody involved-from the director on down to the FX lackey spattering fake blood around-seemed to give a rat’s ass about how the Canadian horror-comedy turned out. It’s got the look and feel of a cheapjack college film, but with dialogue from somebody’s kid brother in Grade 8."

• Adrian Hall / Horror Movies Uncut

- "Needless to say, this is a very fun film. It’s also (perhaps unexpectedly) well made. Fafard plays Lou with a unique kind of enigmatic yet deadpan believability. The humour is wry and satirical, yet at the same time in your face and brash. The characters, including the gorgeous and sultry barmaid Jessica played by Sarah Lind, are sometimes over the top, but never too corny  and played by a cast of actors who have genuine charisma. The creature effects by Emersen Ziffle look fantastic and are reminiscent of the pioneering work on An American Werewolf in London, a film that this feature shares a lot of its tone with."

• Chris Knight / The National Post

- "There’s a certain kind of movie that can’t help but deliver what it promises. Teen Wolf. Time Cop. Hot Tub Time Machine. The Bridges of Madison County. You get the idea. WolfCop, a supremely silly, oddly enjoyable concoction from Regina writer/director Lowell Dean, is that kind of film ."

- "WolfCop features a nice ’80s vibe, right down to a pitch-perfect use of Gowan’s 1987 hit Moonlight Desires."

• Marina Antunes / Quiet Earth

- "On the surface, the idea of mashing a cop movie with a werewolf movie sounds completely ridiculous and to be fair, Lowell Dean's WolfCop is pretty ridiculous but it's the best kind of ridiculous. The kind that you want to share with your friends and re-watch with beer and pizza and perhaps even model Halloween costumes after. Yes, it's a bit crazy. Crazy fun!"

- "If you can't handle a bit of over acting, some cheesy dialogue and awesome werewolf transformations, then this movie is not for you but if you dig a bit of camp that wreaks of 80s nostalgia, then WolfCop is not to be missed, especially since it marks the beginning of what will likely be a ridiculously entertaining (and unlikely) franchise of awesome."