Writer: Justin Price (Screenplay)
Starring: Stasi Esper, Eric Roberts, Billy Banks, Mikki Padilla, Jared Allman, Sasha Higgins, Cierra Voelkl, Justin Price, Cameron White, Michele Gourdine
Plot: A group of shape-shifting werewolves descend upon a small town in search of a girl who is re-born once every 2000 years. She holds the key to their survival and all will die who stand in their way.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: The Werewolf Version of The Lost Boys Mixed With Near Dark
Story: Dark Moon Rising starts instantly with a girl being chased by two werewolves who uses her death as a symbol of their intentions. The werewolves continue to stalk the town at night but a young lady Dawn (Esper) wakes up with new powers including strength and setting off car alarms while running. When Chase (White) starts understanding literature references Dawn tries to protect her from the werewolves in and around the town bring the student to parties where they can get their latest victims.
Chase ends up getting to close to Dawn where he gets given the power over enhanced senses including x-ray vision, higher hearing levels and the feeling of the beginning of the werewolf transformation. When Danse (Saghy) comes to the help of Chase she brings her to her father Hendricks (Roberts) to teach him about what he might become leaving Chase in the position of having to choose what side of the fence he wants to be on, the one that saves Dawn or the one that lets the werewolves complete their ritual.
Dark Moon Rising tries to bring fresh life to the werewolf film ideas because let’s face it, the werewolf films have really sucked through the years apart from (American Werewolf in London, Dog Soldiers and Ginger Snaps). I feel this film brings us a low budget idea of a werewolf story that comes off nicely, it brings us the idea of a new idea that mixes The Lost Boys age with the Near Dark concept. I liked how not every aspect of the werewolves was a copy of what we have had and we get to see fresh approach to the transformation style. The low budget does hold the film back because you can see the CGI effects which actually starts looking better as the film continues. I did like the new approach to the werewolf genre which works very well for this film. (7/10)
Actor Review
Stasi Esper: Dawn is the mysterious girl that has captured Chase’s attention, but is she hiding a secret or does she have the best intention for Chase. Stasi gives us a good performance in the early role for a potential star for the future. (7/10)
Eric Roberts: Hendricks is the war veteran who has dealt wit werewolves for years, he brings in Chase to teach him about what is happening to him. Eric gives us a mentor and slightly quirky character but one he can easily pull off without excelling. (6/10)
Cameron White: Chase is the student who is getting pushed and pulled around being used as a pawn in a battle between the werewolves and the people trying to stop them once and for all. Cameron does a solid job but I couldn’t help but think he was copying a computer game character in certain shots. (6/10)
Support Cast: Dark Moon Rising has a supporting cast that includes the villains who each have different powers that can be used to end up making them stronger in battle, but each is very generic and designed to be over the top in their design.
Director Review: Justin Price – Justin does a good job bringing a new idea to the werewolf genre which hasn’t always been going down too popular. (7/10)
Fantasy: Dark Moon Rising brings us into a fantasy world were werewolves run around in the world. (8/10)
Settings: Dark Moon Rising brings us into a small town community which all works for showing how the problem will end up causing trouble. (8/10)
Special Effects: Dark Moon Rising has certain moments that you can see is CGI in action but I won’t be too harsh because of the budget. (6/10)
Suggestion: Dark Moon Rising is one for the werewolf fans to enjoy because it is actually one that is enjoyable. (Werewolf Fans Watch)
Best Part: Final Fight.
Worst Part: CGI is questionable.
Action Scene Of The Film: Final Fight.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Could have one.
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 25 Minutes
Overall: Fresh Approach that brings new life to the werewolf genre
Rating