The Wolfman is a delightful return to classic gothic horror with enough story originality to make it a fresh update to the genre. This film does not terrify as much as it entertains. I'm not a fan of suspense that churns my stomach and destroys my enjoyment, and this film does not do that. It is a straight-forward tale of the Wolfman, beautifully filmed and excellently acted.

I think it also helped that lead actor Benicio Del Toro looks a lot like a young Lon Chaney Jr., the iconic Wolfman of vintage cinema. The sequences in London are superb, and the grand finale is perfect (and thrilling). Of course this film has plenty of guts and gore. However, in this context it is not gratuitous.