When you sit down to watch a film called Strippers vs Werewolves you pretty much know what you’re going to get before you even hit play. The question is, does this intentionally campy film entertain? Or is it just another rubbish horror film?
As the film, which takes place in London, begins Justice (Adele Silva), our lead stripper, is dancing for a man who gets a little to excited and reveals that he is a werewolf. She freaks out and shoves a pen through his eye and into his brain. We learn later that this is in fact a silver pen thus she slays the beast. The owner of the club, Jeanette (Sarah Douglas), comes in, sizes up the situation and sets about dealing with it accordingly. Obviously she’s dealt with werewolves before. Her biggest concern is that the rest of the pack will find out what’s happened and come back for revenge and that’s exactly what ends up happening.
Before that plot gets too deep we are introduced to Justice’s fiance Scott (Martin Compston) who happens to be second in command in the werewolf gang. This is Ferris (Billy Murray). When they find out that one of their own has been killed they do indeed want revenge and when Ferris finds out that it is Jeanette’s club we learn that there is a deep history between the two.
Now the werewolves are on the hunt for the strippers and the strippers are preparing for battle themselves. Only there is one little hiccup. While deep in a passionate moment with her fiance, Justice bites him on the shoulder drawing blood. Now she is slowly turning into a werewolf herself.
Frankly, I was shocked how entertaining this film proved to be. By no means am I going to call it a great film, but for what should have been a big pile of crap rises high above the expectations. The acting across the board is very solid. I think this is helped by having such great actors like Murray (Eastenders) and Douglas (Superman II) as the leaders of each side. Their presence in the film kind of raises the legibility of everyone else. Also, Robert Englund has a great cameo as the former leader of the werewolves.
The special effects are very solid. The film borrows from Teen Wolf in it’s werewolf look and it works for the film. All the gore effects, of which there are many, are very effective as well. The film also has a pleasant blend of horror and comedy. There are several legitimately funny moments.
Strippers vs Werewolves is certainly an intentionally campy film, and that doesn’t always work. However here it works rather well and you get a surprisingly entertaining horror/comedy.
Strippers vs Werewolves is presented in 16:9 widescreen and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Most of the film is shot very well, sometimes not so much. But good or bad, the transfer always looks great and the sound is great too.
Commentary: Producers Jonathan Sothcott and Simon Philips talk about the film. This is an okay commentary. Not great, but not painfully boring either. Behind The Scenes: (11 min.) Good interviews with cast and crew. You can tell that everyone had a blast making this film and it shows on the screen.
If you’re looking for a film with strippers and werewolves and lots of gore and laughs, then look no further. If you’re looking for a straight up horror film you’ll be sorely disappointed. I enjoyed this film way more than I thought I would. It’s a lot of fun.
Well Go USA Entertainment presents Strippers vs Werewolves. Written by: Pat Higgins and Phill Barron. Directed by: Jonathan Glendenning. Starring: Robert Englund, Billy Murray, Sarah Douglas and Adele Silva. Running time: 96 minutes. Rating: Not Rated. Released: September 25, 2012. Available at Amazon.com.
