Foreign horror - it's always somewhat less regarded against the Hollywood machine and yet when we think of films from other shores there's a recurring theme: they are, for the most part, FANTASTIC. And thankfully are growing an ever faithful audience. Whether it be a comedy horror, a splatter fest or an hardcore horror there's something for everyone.
Werewolf films, certainly good ones are not always easy to find and Game of is easily one of the best, beautifully fusing humour and horror into one.
Synopsis: After 15 years, Tomas, a not very successful writer, comes back to the village in Galicia where his family comes from, Arga, apparently to get an award. But he doesn't know the real reason why he is there, until it's too late...
Immediately what springs to mind is that the three main characters: Gorka Otxoa, Carlos Areces and Secun de la Rosa are fun, interesting warm characters with heart and soul. A rarity since some characters in horror you delight in their grisly deaths -
These guys aren't those. As funny as they are, clearly there's a real bond between the actors/ characters that comes through and makes them joyful to watch.
Equally the setting of the film based in one small place means there is ample opportunity to create long dark spaces, dimly lit chambers with golden candlelight as a guide and atmospherical surroundings. All of which are done to blistering swell effect,
Speaking of effect/s I'd be remiss to forget the creature make up. How nice it is to see largely practical effects. Yes I don't mind CGI but there's something altogether more charming about practical old school effects, sure there's some CGI but it's really not that noticeable I feel.
The humour is fantastic, there's so many moments that are laugh out loud; the finger scene is ridiculously funny and it never tries too hard to make us laughing coming across with a natural flair.
And it must be said the final twist is a fun howler!
I dislike reviews comparing this to Shaun of the Dead this is both different and interesting without the need for comparisons.
Want a good werewolf flick? Check this out and as far as foreign horror goes this is an hilariously Spanish jab at the werewolf sub genre.
Game of Werewolves
2011 [SPANISH]
Action / Comedy / Horror
Plot summary
After 15 years, Tomas, a not very succesfull writer, comes back to the village in Galicia where his family comes from, Arga, apparently to get an award. But he doesn't know the real reason why he is there, to end with an old curse that is been haunting the village for the last hundred years.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
September 20, 2023 at 07:09 AM
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A Solid Entry in the Werewolf Sub-genre
Pretty good Spanish horror/comedy in which the sympathetic starring goes back to his village and finds amazing surprises
This Spanish horror/comedy Game of Werewolves has been heralded as as "A Spanish Shaun of the Dead, only with Werewolves¨. "Attack of the Werewolves¨ or ¨Lobos De Arga¨ is a Spanish language film and an entertaining one at that . ¨1910, in a remote village, a terrible curse has fallen on the evil Marchioness of Marino and her son transforming him into a bloodthirsty werewolf who preys on the residents of the village¨. One hundred years on , the only male descendant of the Marino family , returns his village . After 15 years, Tomas (Gorka Otxoa) , a not very successful writer, comes back to the village in Galicia where his family comes from , Arga , apparently to get an award . He returns home to a warm welcome from the villagers but things aren't quite what they seem. After a century of being terrorized by the vicious werewolf, they plan to break the curse by sacrificing him 100 years to the day when the original curse fell . But he doesn't know the real reason why he is there, to end with an old curse that is been haunting the village for the last hundred years . At the village he meets an old friend (Carlos Areces) , his editor (Secun de la Rosa) , the priest (Manuel Manquiña) and a bit later on appears his grandmother (Mabel Rivera) . The village of Arga has been cursed and it is up to Tomás to remove this affliction . The townsfolk need his blood and his sacrifice in order to remove the curse .
This title blends horror elements with comedy , tongue-in-cheek and action ; so, the tone of the film is light-hearted . Lobos De Arga knows many forms, this film has also been called Game of Werewolves and Attack of the Werewolves which is the United Kingdom title ; if one directly translates the Spanish title into English, then it becomes the much simpler Werewolves of Arga . It's a veritable buffet of the cream of recent Spanish horror plenty of action , laughs , and werewolves attacks . Likable acting by Gorka Otxoa as Thomas , an unsuccessful writer lured out to a remote rural village who must defeat the villagers and pit his wits against a violent beast in . Enjoyable main cast and agreeable support actors deliver one of the most engaging, hysterical, action packed and wonderfully shot werewolf movies in years . Intriguing and thrilling musical score by Sergio Moure who has demonstrated his particular talent on dark atmospheres such as ¨The Body¨, ¨Thesis on a homicide¨ and ¨Kidnapped¨ . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Carlos Ferro , showing splendidly Galician sets . This Spanish horror-comedy Attack of the Werewolves was much praised by critics as well as public during its European festival run . The motion picture was originally made by director/writer Juan Martínez Moreno who formerly directed "A Good Man" and "Two Tough Guys" . He clearly demonstrates sound knowledge of the genre he deconstructs with heartfelt accuracy . Rating : Good , above average . Well worth watching .
Seriously funny, seriously scary
Director Juan Martinez Morena (LOBOS DE ARGA) complains that he's tired of seeing vampires and werewolves that are 'cool and f**kable.' He wants monsters you can believe in when you go to bed at night. Not the Bugs Bunny horror of CGI that couldn't fool a five-year old. His werewolves will have maximum special effects and stunts but minimum computer graphics. With a limited budget (much of which went on hair from China), Moreno dishes up a picture that is by turns seriously scary and seriously funny. Meet Thomas, a hapless failed writer who holes up in his parental village of Galicia, Northern Spain. A hundred years ago, his great grandmother cursed the village after abducting and forcing a gypsy to procreate with her. Thomas doesn't know a werewolf is out to get him. He doesn't know the villagers are out to get him. Mayhem ensues. But with a cutting edge comedy narrative you'd better examine yourself for bruises after you leave the cinema. When you laugh that hard, it's easy to forget the damage from where you kept jumping out of your seat. Lobos de Arga is a frank and sincere homage to movies such as An American Werewolf, and swooped the audience awards at the Edinburgh Dead by Dawn horror film festival to come first in competition.