The Howling (1981) ***1/2

I've never loved The Howling (1981). I've seen the film at least three times and I like it, but it's never fully captivated me. I've never seen any of the sequels (and holy crap, there are eight Howling films?!), but my main draw to the original film has always been Joe Dante. The blend of comedy and tragedy is an odd one in The Howling, and I think that combination was better accomplished in An American Werewolf In London (review) (one of my favorite films ever), released later the same year (Wolfen (review) was also released in 1981—a popular year for werewolf films!). 

While I love practical effects in horror, and I do think Rob Bottin's work is quite good on the whole here, there's a certain goofiness to it, and I feel that with more finesse, via editing, the transformation scene would work better for me. I get that not cutting away was de rigueur for the day but the extended lingering on the f/x (the way that Lucio Fulci would often do) actually robs the scene of some of its power, in my opinion. The following year, however, Bottin would create legendary f/x in John Carpenter's The Thing (review).

Every time I revisit The Howling, I'm reminded how much I love the beginning of the film. The way we're dropped into the world of this story—that of Dee Wallace's TV news anchor Karen being stalked by serial killer Eddie Quist and meeting him in a porn theater in an attempt to capture him—is brilliant and expertly handled (co-screenwriter John Sayles also wrote Dante's Piranha (1978) (review). The cinematography and editing is particularly good in these sequences (and for the most part very good throughout the film as well). Pino Donaggio's score is also a highlight—an interesting blend of gothic and modern styles.

When we're relocated to The Colony (the secluded country resort where Karen is sent to work through the trauma of her experience with Eddie) there's some decent character development and build-up but even for someone who doesn't mind a slow burn I still find that the film drags in spots. The finale is definitely great though and a strong ending is always a boon to a movie. So what it comes down to is The Howling is a film that I admire more than unabashedly enjoy but I'm happy to revisit it every decade or so.

You can find my Joe Dante Feature Films Ranked list here.