HOWLING III: THE MARSUPIALS
Elite Entertainment
2001

review by Beth Kattelman

WHAT DO YOU GET when you try to cover-up an extremely lame script with rubber appliances, a lot of bad, over-acting, and a sentimental end-sequence? . . . A mess, that's what! That's exactly what The Howling III is. This third installment of the Howling cycle is a misguided attempt at making a horror-comedy. It tells the story of a band of marsupial werewolves living in the Australian Outback. Interesting premise perhaps, but, unfortunately it just doesn't work. The film is a mish-mash of ideas that go nowhere. I'm a bit 'bummed' too, because I had hopes of really liking this film. I love horror-comedy and the premise seemed promising. A werewolf film using Australian culture as a backdrop? O.k. that sounds interesting. . . Werewolf nuns? Yeah, that's funny. . . Unfortunately, the weak script and stilted dialogue undercut the film so much that the few good ideas and special effects can't even save it.

The Howling III was conceived intentionally to be a comedy, but it doesn't even work on that level. The weak, overly-contrived storyline makes no sense. The plot is convoluted and filled with holes big enough to drive a safari jeep through. And it's loaded with lame coincidences. The writer tries to explain these away by inserting one line of dialogue about 'syncronicity' . . . Sorry guy. I'm still not buying it. Start with a solid script and then, maybe, the rest would fall into place. Start with a bad script and there's not much anyone can do to save it.

The Howling III was a big disappointment. I've heard rumors that this film has found its audience and is very popular with some horror fans. Too bad, I can't count myself among them.

FEAR FACTOR: Zip, nilch, nada, none.

BLOOD & GORE GAUGE: Not much.

COOLEST THING ABOUT THE DVD: Getting to see real footage of the now extinct Tasmanian Tiger.

TRIVIA TIDBIT: An alternate title considered for this movie was A Womb with a View

BEST "OW, THAT'S GOTTA HURT" MOMENT: Your own brain trying to figure out why this movie was made.

BEST QUOTE: I don't like home because my stepfather tried to rape me . . . AND he's a werewolf.

Official Website:
http://www.elitedisc.com

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