The above term apart from werewolves can also apply to the subpar reviews for which there is a rather obvious explanation. That the viewers responsible for negative reviews did not see the film at the right time and the right place.
For those who happened to have seen the film when it came out in a dark theatre, it was an unforgettable experience. I still can't forget how paralyzed I was with fear. I was expecting to turn around and see everyone in the theatre having turned into a werewolf similar to the ones in the film. The scene where they're trapped in the car and surrounded by the monsters is unparalleled in terms of sheer terror and tension.
The way the film starts with those scenes in the sex shop and the rape scene that plays in the loop shows us this isn't your ordinary horror film. It's the first step into a descent into hell and post -traumatic syndrome for our blue -eyed angel. In the same way she wasn't prepared for what happens later on at the Colony, the viewers too are entirely unprepared for the bizarre sexual encounters and shocking scenes of werewolf transformation. The mind numbing effect this film had upon its viewers simply cannot be described by words.
The reason the film works so well is that the viewer can identify one hundred percent with both female victims (Balaski and Wallace) during the scenes they get stalked by the monsters. A lot of people complain that the Eddie transformation scene is too long but that is what gives it it's power. It's like being trapped in a nightmare that doesn't end.
These panic attack inducing moments are stretched to maximum effect to screw up the viewers mind. Much alike a MK Ultra type experiment.
Original theatrical prints were much darker therefore scarier. Today, for the sake of clarity, this has been permanently lost. DVD and blue ray editions are much brighter and show the imperfections in the effects. This is a general problem which is obvious even in the best horror films such as Evil Dead, Dawn of the Dead, etc. Unfortunately the viewing experience has changed and lots of qualities that where there in the original viewing experience are not there any longer.
As to which transformation scene is better, my vote goes to The Howling.
In American Werewolf in London, the lighting is too bright, and the setting too bland. Also the guy is lying on the floor most of the time, and there is no real sense of threat, while in the Howling the transformation occurs during a more threatening situation and we know how dangerous this fella Eddie is. Inevitably, we experience the terror of the female protagonist with her. In The Howling we experience the transformation of Eddie though the eyes of Dee Wallace. This is what makes it a better, scarier scene and Eddie is a class A pervert unlike the silly dork in American Werewolf in London.
For those who happened to have seen the film when it came out in a dark theatre, it was an unforgettable experience. I still can't forget how paralyzed I was with fear. I was expecting to turn around and see everyone in the theatre having turned into a werewolf similar to the ones in the film. The scene where they're trapped in the car and surrounded by the monsters is unparalleled in terms of sheer terror and tension.
The way the film starts with those scenes in the sex shop and the rape scene that plays in the loop shows us this isn't your ordinary horror film. It's the first step into a descent into hell and post -traumatic syndrome for our blue -eyed angel. In the same way she wasn't prepared for what happens later on at the Colony, the viewers too are entirely unprepared for the bizarre sexual encounters and shocking scenes of werewolf transformation. The mind numbing effect this film had upon its viewers simply cannot be described by words.
The reason the film works so well is that the viewer can identify one hundred percent with both female victims (Balaski and Wallace) during the scenes they get stalked by the monsters. A lot of people complain that the Eddie transformation scene is too long but that is what gives it it's power. It's like being trapped in a nightmare that doesn't end.
These panic attack inducing moments are stretched to maximum effect to screw up the viewers mind. Much alike a MK Ultra type experiment.
Original theatrical prints were much darker therefore scarier. Today, for the sake of clarity, this has been permanently lost. DVD and blue ray editions are much brighter and show the imperfections in the effects. This is a general problem which is obvious even in the best horror films such as Evil Dead, Dawn of the Dead, etc. Unfortunately the viewing experience has changed and lots of qualities that where there in the original viewing experience are not there any longer.
As to which transformation scene is better, my vote goes to The Howling.
In American Werewolf in London, the lighting is too bright, and the setting too bland. Also the guy is lying on the floor most of the time, and there is no real sense of threat, while in the Howling the transformation occurs during a more threatening situation and we know how dangerous this fella Eddie is. Inevitably, we experience the terror of the female protagonist with her. In The Howling we experience the transformation of Eddie though the eyes of Dee Wallace. This is what makes it a better, scarier scene and Eddie is a class A pervert unlike the silly dork in American Werewolf in London.