Dog Soldiers (2002)

 

This one is an absolute blast. You'll be howling with excitement.

Yes, that is the extent of lame puns used today. Barking mad, I tell you.

Also: this film is exceedingly British in tone and delivery, so if that's not your jam, you might not enjoy it to the fullest.

A team of soldiers is sent out into the wilds of Scotland on a training mission. They have to reach a certain point without being detected. Turns out, there's a group of Special Forces out in the woods as well, but they have quite a different mission. They are there to hunt something that is stalking people. However, the Special Forces get wiped out, except for Captain Ryan, who is not only a total prick but who also has a bit of a history with one of our soldiers, Cooper. See, Cooper wanted to try out for the Special Forces but failed because he refused to shoot a dog at point blank range, courtesy of Ryan. 

Soon, the team is hunted by a pack of werewolves and they are sort of saved (bar one) by a young woman named Megan who takes the team to a remote farmhouse. Now the siege is on, and the soldiers try desperately to survive the night as the creatures get ever closer... 

A simple setup, but what a payoff! Part of the reason why this film works so well, is because the characters are so bloody likable. Cooper is great as our 'hero' of sorts (at least he's the one who keeps it together for the most part), Ryan is wonderful as the absolute arsehat and you'll grow to love energetic Spoon and especially Sergeant Wells. Not kidding, Sean Pertwee as Wells is bloody brilliant. He's one of those actors most people will recognize and who always delivers, whatever he's in. 

But of course, this film would work if it wasn't tense and gory at times and here it also delivers in spades. Director Neil Marshall expertly keeps the creatures in the dark and when you do see them, it is mostly in glimpses, but their destruction and carnage is very visible. They went for full on practical effects and the werewolves look awesome, a little akin to those from 'The Howling'. Apparently, Marshall chose dancers to portray the creatures, as their movements flow more and it was a good bet, as they do move very gracefully, even in those cumbersome suits. 

Oh, and the dark humour spread throughout the story is the icing on the cake. No big heroes or intrepid wanderers, but down-to-earth, middle & low class guys slogging it out and wanting to be at home with a nice beer watching football on the telly. 

Fair enough: the sort-of twist is something you can pretty much tell is coming anyway, but it doesn't detract from the massive enjoyment this film can bring. As far as werewolf stories go, this one is one of the best out there.