Michael Pare shows that, when given the proper role, he can still turn in an engaging, enthusiastic effort.
If you were asked,”What’s your favorite werewolf movie?” would you even think of 1996’s Bad Moon? Probably not. Before this year, I’d never heard of it. That’s a shame because it’s an above-average werewolf thriller that deserves more attention. It was released theatrically but received very little publicity. Not surprisingly, it died at the box office before ending up on home video.
Bad Moon wastes little time getting to the action. While on a photography expedition in Nepal, Ted Harrison (Michael Pare) and his partner, Marjorie (Johanna Marlowe Lebovitz,) are attacked by a werewolf while having sex. The creature decapitates Marjorie but, though bitten, Ted survives.
Three months later, Ted calls his sister, Janet (Mariel Hemingway,) and invites her and her son, Brett (Mason Gamble) over to visit. He’s living in an old Airstream trailer by a lake in the Pacific Northwest. Sensing something is wrong with him, Janet invites Ted to park his trailer in her backyard so he can be close to family. He reluctantly accepts. Soon, Janet, Brett, and their German shepherd, Thor, each begin to notice that Ted’s behavior is a little off. Especially Thor, who becomes extra protective of his owners. You see, Ted is now a werewolf and there has been a spate of unsolved murders in the woods nearby.
Director Eric Red, who co-wrote Near Dark, has crafted a nifty little creature feature out of Wayne Smith’s 1991 novel, “Thor.” Red, who also wrote the screenplay, whittled down some elements of the book to make a compact, tense story. And, given the title of the source material, it’s not a spoiler that the dog has a larger role than you might expect in a werewolf movie.
Those looking for a movie on the level of An American Werewolf in London or The Howling most likely will come away a bit disappointed. The makeup effects, while quite good, are nowhere near the level of Rick Baker or Rob Bottin’s craftsmanship. Still, the practical werewolf suit and prosthetics look more convincing than CGI in most scenes. (Interestingly, one transformation scene uses a small bit of CGI and it immediately looks out of place.)
Sure, Bad Moon has some issues. For example, the full moon seems to last for days and a revolver shoots more bullets than it can hold. But, overall, these minor gaffes don’t spoil the fun. And, yes, Mariel Hemingway’s performance feels phoned-in much of the time. Thankfully, Michael Pare shows that, when given the proper role, he can still turn in an engaging, enthusiastic effort.
If you’re craving something lycanthropic for a night’s viewing, give Bad Moon a chance. It’s by no means a classic, but it is worth a look for horror fans.
3.5 out of 5.0 stars
