I’m a fan of independent films and especially low budget
horror films made by fans of the genre. Some of the best made horror movies
began with a ton of imagination and little funds. Two great examples are THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and THE HILLS HAVE EYES. Both tell an original story,
both use actors who are far from famous and both take the elements of the genre
and mold them into something memorable. Unfortunately the same can’t be said of
LYCAN.
The movie feels like a checklist made film, one that looks
at all others and then compiles that list to mark off the things needed for a
horror film. Students? Check. Oddball among them? Check. Mysterious location?
Check. Legend being investigated? Check. Stoner in the group? Check.
Videotaping the events? Check. See where I’m coming from?
Students are given the assignment to do a deep investigation
into a historical story and then write a report on it. Rather than individuals
they are placed in groups, which of course sets them at odds with one another
over issues like what to do or the snooty girl in conflict with the oddball.
Rather than look into the story of a man wrongfully convicted of a crime they
choose to look into the legend of a woman accused of being a werewolf.
This involves going to the location of where it took place
which happens to be on land next to where the oddball girl lives. It also
involves camping. That leads to drinking and smoking grass and someone getting
roofied. It also means that these students will eventually be watched by
something in the woods.
The movie takes far too long to set up the premise and then
more wasted time to set the kids up to get lost ala BLAIR WITCH. Fortunately
the videotaped portions aren’t long but then they add nothing to the film
either. The performances are well intended but for the most part on the poor
side. The only good thing about this film is the final sequence which offers a
decent explanation of what’s been going on as well as a nice reveal. The
problem is the hour or so it took to get there not to mention the fact most
will figure out at least part of that beforehand.
Look, I love a good horror movie and as I said I’m glad that
when someone has the chance they take a risk and put something out there. But
it doesn’t always work. The extras show that this group really had their heart
in it but that just isn’t enough to make a great movie. Horror fans might want
to watch this and see what they think but for the most part other may want to
pass it by.
Thanks
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