Quick Rating:  ***

 
 
In 1760s France, a wild beast has been attacking and killing the peasants of a rural village.  The natives seem to be helpless against it.  Enter a naturalist from Paris and his native American sidekick (who knows the martial arts).  It is their task to kill the beast.  I won't get much deeper into the story as not to reveal any of its secrets.
 
The first hour + of the film went very slowly.  There's a lot of style to the storytelling and the cinematography.  But it does get tedious.  The obsessive use of slow motion and crouching tiger type fights do get old.  That being said, Brotherhood of the Wolf does pay off.  Sitting through that first hour sets up the action and drama and mystery that envelope that last hour and a half.  The story weaves in and out, around different characters, and in different situations, and it covers many themes.  At times, this is an action movie, a romance, a period piece, a horror film, a fantasy, a political/religious piece... and all these aspects work.  The acting, direction and visuals are superb.  It may be tough for some to deal with the English dubbing, but I didn't find it distracting at all.
 
The movie has many surprises and you won't know what to expect.  Heck, I had thought it was a werewolf movie until I started watching it.  The beginning may be slow, but stick with it...  It will pay off in the end.  Well done.
 


 
 

Quality: 7.0  Visuals: 7.5  Intensity: 4.5
OVERALL RATING: 6.3