| Overall Grade: |
C |
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| Story: |
C |
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| Acting: |
C+ |
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| Direction: |
B- |
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| Visuals: |
B- |
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An utterly boring play on Shakespearean love
by L. Byer (movies profile)
Jun 24, 2007
6
of
6 people found this review helpful
While the title "Blood and Chocolate" indicates a dichotomy between the human side and the beast, the movie does not address the main concept that the novel centers around, the internal struggle of a teenager unable to find her place in her dual life.
Minor details (such as the characters' names) were kept from the novel, the overall theme and much of the character personalities were discarded and replaced with a disappointing and messy plot lacking much depth. The story simply becomes a large combustive action-move flick revolving around an often used “forbidden love” theme. There is no profundity, merely a mixture of mediocre DVD-worthy visual effects, beautiful Bucharest scenery, and a cornucopia of well-endowed characters. The majority of the werewolves were given a stone-hard and robotish personality, lacking that humane side which makes them part man.
Agnes Bruckner’s single facial expression has an even more dulling effect on the movie, taking away the main character’s passionate and vivaciousness personality found in the book. Honestly, Agnes, I’m sure crackin’ a smile or breaking into a tear occasionally might actually get you somewhere past the second-rate movies and shows you make appearances on.
The biggest question is, where is the “beast” in werewolf? The sky-diving shape-shifting Schwarzenegger-ish characters didn’t catch my attention. Speaking in terms of clichés, as this movie seems to be chock full of them, why couldn’t there be more combustible, crazy, sexy, raucous, wild and unpredictable characters? Isn’t that what one imagines when the word “werewolf” comes to mind? Sullen-faced and mopey teenagers picking on the occasional curly-haired tourist does not cut it.
The romance between mysterious and beautiful “wolf-girl” Vivian and the sweet but guilt-hounded Aiden seems rushed and difficult to believe. Of course, it’s slightly (and emphasis on “slightly”) scandalous to see the initial budding romance between the werewolf and the human, one doesn’t really feel a rush of emotions seeing the two because the entire relationship simply seems forced. Their romance was clearly made an inevitable occurance in the movie, and it becomes clear to the audience that the guy will get the girl in the end. Since the audience already realizes that the “love” between the pair will quickly escalate in a small period of time (probably even in a matter of days) to the point where not even the ruthless Gabriel can tear them apart with his well-sculpted hands, we never care much for the pair. Yes, they make a cute little couple, but one begins to wonder... why is Aiden so intent on Vivian when she clearly shows no interest in him in the beginning?
I’m sure there’s more than one girl interested in werewolves in Bucharest if werewolves used to be an integral part of their culture. Honestly, the entire romance seems petty and far-fetched. You almost don’t feel happy for them even when they end up together happily ever after (which was, of course, an ending that was not unpredictable). There is no real build-up of emotions, no real climactic chair-gripping scene.
Overall, I didn’t feel much for this movie. It lacked the small human and perceptive elements that make it believable and likeable. The acting, in general, was pretty average. Hugh Dancy plays the understanding, sympathetic and artsy character well, though it’s not too difficult of a role as it is very similar to various ones he has already performed before. Bruckner simply stank. It irritated me, and most likely the majority of the people who watched this movie, how bland and boring she seemed. It’s surprising Aiden even likes her...
If you’re looking for the new sexy werewolf romance story chock full of romance and action, this only fills the glass halfway. Save that $2.99 at Blockbuster for something else. |
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