Viking Wolf - A Movie Review

Viking Wolf takes us on a journey back in time to 1050, where a band of Vikings pillages an abbey in Normandy and discovers a wolf hidden in a secret room. The Vikings take the animal with them on their boat and sail to Norway. During the journey, they discover that the wolf is more than it seems. While the prologue is intriguing, the movie quickly shifts away from the historical setting and takes us to present-day Norway, where we meet Thale, a teenage girl who has just moved to Nybo with her family.

This change in time and location is a disappointment, as the film shifts from a fantastical monster movie with historical roots to a generic teenage horror flick that fails to add anything new to the werewolf genre. Even the most undemanding horror fans will be dissatisfied, as there is minimal bloodletting and no real scares to speak of. Additionally, the special effects that bring the werewolves to life are passable at best, but far removed from the iconic work of makeup artist Rick Baker in An American Werewolf in London.

The story centers on Thale, a 17-year-old who is injured in an attack by a creature that carries away one of her classmates. She starts to have strange visions and is suspected of being infected by the beast that attacked her. As killings begin to take place around town, the local police investigate, believing a wolf is to blame. However, they soon discover that something much larger is behind the carnage. Liv, Thale's mother, dismisses the idea of a mythological monster being responsible but later recruits the help of a one-armed werewolf hunter.

The movie plods from one scene to the next with minimal horror or excitement. Some scenes, like the werewolf transformation on a packed bus, start off promisingly but rarely end in a satisfying way. The action is mostly kept off-screen, which makes it difficult for viewers to become invested in the film. The ending is also unsatisfying and ambiguous, presumably to set up a potential sequel.

Despite decent acting and beautiful Norwegian locations, Viking Wolf fails to deliver an interesting story with little mythology expansion of the ancient evil introduced at the beginning of the film. As a result, it is another mediocre werewolf movie that isn't worth a spot on anyone's streaming watchlist. While it may appeal to fans of the genre, there are better films out there, such as Werewolves Within or previous titles like Ginger Snaps or Silver Bullet.

In conclusion, Viking Wolf may have started with an intriguing prologue that promised a unique take on the werewolf genre, but it ultimately fails to deliver on its potential. The shift from the historical setting to present-day Norway, coupled with the lack of exciting and innovative ideas, leaves the audience feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.

While the acting and picturesque Norwegian locations are commendable, they are not enough to save the film from its weak plot and underwhelming special effects. The tepid horror and suspenseful scenes do not quicken the pulse or make the film worth the time investment.

Moreover, the story is predictable, unoriginal, and uninteresting, and the ambiguous ending only frustrates the viewers rather than intriguing them. Overall, Viking Wolf is a mediocre horror flick that fails to stand out in the crowded werewolf genre, and there are far better options available for those looking for a hair-raising experience.

In terms of special effects, while CGI has come a long way since the early days of An American Werewolf in London, it is true that some of the effects in Viking Wolf could have been better. The transformation scenes lack the same visceral impact and realism of Baker's practical effects. However, it's worth noting that modern CGI can offer a greater range of motion and flexibility when creating werewolves, allowing them to move in ways that wouldn't have been possible with traditional makeup effects.

The film's story also falls short, as it follows a familiar formula of a new-in-town teenage girl struggling to fit in with her peers, with the added twist of a werewolf infection. This has been done before in numerous other werewolf and horror movies, making Viking Wolf feel unoriginal and lacking in innovation.

Furthermore, the film fails to deliver on its promise of horror and excitement. There is little in the way of gore or tension, and the action is often kept off-screen, which may leave viewers feeling unsatisfied. While it's not necessary to include excessive gore and mutilation, some tense sequences could have helped to elevate the film's horror quotient.

Despite its flaws, Viking Wolf does have some redeeming qualities. The acting is decent, and the Norwegian locations are visually stunning. The film's prologue is also a highlight, offering a glimpse into a potential historical werewolf movie that could have been more exciting than the teenage horror flick that follows.

In conclusion, while Viking Wolf has some potential as a werewolf movie, it falls short due to a lack of originality, subpar special effects, and a failure to deliver on its horror promise. It's not a complete waste of time, but it's unlikely to satisfy even the most undemanding of horror fans. There are better werewolf movies out there that offer more excitement, tension, and innovation. If you're looking for a werewolf movie to watch, consider Werewolves Within or other previously mentioned titles, instead of Viking Wolf.

While the movie tries to inject some tension and thrills, it fails to deliver in both departments. Many of the scenes that start out promisingly end up falling flat, leaving the viewer wanting for more. For instance, a werewolf transformation that takes place on a bus could have been a gripping moment but ends up as just another missed opportunity as the attack on the passengers is left to the imagination.

Additionally, the movie's ending is unsatisfying and open-ended, presumably setting up a sequel. However, instead of leaving the viewer intrigued, it frustrates them, especially since the movie failed to build up any interest in the first place. The lackluster storyline and the lack of any real attempts to expand on the mythology of the ancient evil that is introduced at the beginning of the story all make Viking Wolf a subpar werewolf movie that doesn't warrant a spot on your watchlist.

That said, there are a few redeeming qualities of the film. The acting is decent, and the Norwegian scenery is picturesque. However, these elements alone are not enough to elevate Viking Wolf above mediocrity. For those who are looking for a werewolf movie that delivers both scares and a compelling storyline, Werewolves Within is a far better option.

In conclusion, Viking Wolf is a movie that promises an exciting premise but fails to deliver on it. The initial prologue that sets up the story is intriguing, but the rest of the film falls short, delivering a subpar werewolf movie that fails to excite or thrill. While there are a few redeeming elements, such as the decent acting and picturesque scenery, they are not enough to compensate for the weak storyline and lack of originality. Therefore, this film is not recommended for those who are looking for an engaging werewolf movie experience.