Dog Soldiers (***)
review by Jon Waterman

A group of British Soldiers, out on a training mission and using weapons with blanks, come across some unexpected trouble.  Their enemy in the exercise, the “Special Forces” have all but disappeared, leaving only a wounded captain behind.  Sensing an unnatural danger, they make their way to an abandoned home.  It is there that they find out they have no escape, because the werewolves are loose and they are angry.
 
Sounds kinda dumb, doesn’t it?  I thought so, too.  And then I watched the movie and found myself pleasantly surprised.
 
According to the box and the trailer, this movie is on par with “Evil Dead,” “Alien,” “Predator,” and even “Jaws.”  However, I think they’re all missing one key comparison.  If one must compare, then why not say “Night of the Living Dead?”  It has evil entities trying to break into the house.  If a person is bitten or injured by a werewolf, they become one themselves (sorta like zombies).  There are people in the house pitted against each other at the worst possible time.  Also, there’s a low budget, some honest scares and a decent story with good characters.  This movie is “Night of the Living Dead” with werewolves and British people – plain and simple.
 
First time director Neil Marshall (who also wrote it) comes through and delivers an intelligent, entertaining story.  Even if you don’t care about the plot, it’s easy to just sit back and watch all the fighting fun as the soldiers run from room to room warding off those misunderstood doggies.  There’s plenty of blood and guts to keep you wincing and saying, “Cool!”
 
The acting is surprisingly good, too.  Led by Sean Pertwee and Kevin McKidd, all are convincing soldiers.  I think this is what truly helps this film stand out from all the other “B-class” horror flicks.  Without good acting, “Dog Soldiers” would be nothing but a dumb cheap movie with nothing more than a couple of cool effects and good cinematography.  Instead, it’s all of that, but with good acting.
 
Not taking itself seriously is the best move “Dog Soldiers” could have made, since going into that house sure wasn’t.  You’ll laugh, you’ll jump, you’ll stock up on silver.  This film can easily become a cult classic, all it needs is word of mouth.  Well, this mouth is wording.  If horror is your game then remember the “Dog Soldiers” name.

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