Director: Jeremy Wooding
Writer: Alan Wightman (Screenplay)
Starring: George Blagden, Tom Cotcher, Barrington De La Roche, Raffaello Degruttola, Shaun Dooley, Jack Fox, Dave Fulton, Corey Johnson
Plot: A stagecoach of travellers, a gun-slinger and two outlaws arrive in a deserted mining town lit by the glow of a reddish full moon. As their worlds collide, they are hunted by a beast that only appears on the night of a blood moon.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Wild Werewolf Western
Story: Blood Moon starts Colorado 1887 in a small western town which comes under attack by a howling creature. We next meet the Norton brothers Jeb (Degruttola) and Hank (Johnson) bank robbers who have just completed their latest robbery. Finally we meet Jake Norman (Blagden) his new wife Sarah (Rowan) along with fellow travellers Father Domonic (Shale), Henry (Webster) Marie (Skellern) and lone traveler Calhoun (Dooley). Town Sheriff Wade (Fox) teams up with Black Deer (Matsuura) to find the Norton brothers.
When the travellers end up in the small town they find the remains of the lone person in town believing it was just a wolf pack or hoped anyway. The group have too survive the attack by the robbers but that isn’t the only threat they will face because when night falls they have to take on a skin walker, what is left is who will survive the night?
Blood Moon takes the werewolf genre and puts into a western which works for this story because like a lot of horror films we get a group of people from different worlds having to work together against a common enemy. I do think the film tries to develop the characters a little bit too long because it brings the film into a slight slow spell in the middle before we actually end up facing the werewolves. I do think there was more to come from the final battle but when it comes it seems rushed. The werewolf films really do come as hit or miss and sadly this feel closer to the miss. (5/10)
Actor Review
George Blagden: Jake Norman is the deputy Marshall on his honeymoon, he tries to keep his identity secret but the thieves like the situation of having the authority figure trapped. He has to use his knowledge to over come the thieves and the skin walkers. George does a solid job in this but never seems to look the character. (6/10)
Jack Fox: Wade is the Sheriff who is trying to track down the thieves who he knows is going in the same direction as Jake, he teams up with the towns witch doctor who shows him the ways. Jack does a solid but doesn’t get the screen time. (5/10)
Raffaello Degruttola, Corey Johnson: Jeb & Hank Norton are the bank robbers who have killed on their latest job, they end up holding the stagecoach people hostage while figuring out their next move, before coming under attack from the Skin walkers. The pair make for solid bank robbers but also very generic. (5/10)
Shaun Dooley: Calhoun is the lone traveler who joins the stagecoach and has constant mystery about who he really is, and which side of the law he is on. Shaun is the highlight of the film because we always want a character with mystery. (6/10)
Support Cast: Blood Moon has a supporting cast that a mainly disposable for the werewolves.
Director Review: Jeremy Wooding – Jeremy does a solid job with building the characters but doesn’t give enough horror. (5/10)
Horror: Blood Moon isn’t as scary or bloody as it should be. (5/10)
Settings: Blood Moon creates a good setting for the whole film making us believe we are in the time period in question. (9/10)
Suggestion: Blood Moon is one to try because werewolf films are few and far between but it isn’t in the league as the very best. (Try It)
Best Part: Smart Character Development.
Worst Part: Slightly slow.
Believability: No (/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Could do.
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $3 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Tagline: When it’s red you’re dead.
Overall: Solid Werewolf film
Rating
