A standard, predictable fright flick, "Bad Moon" comes to life in the last two reels with a fair number of assured scares and jolts. Though hokum is kept to a minimum by writer/director Eric Red (adapting Wayne Smith's novel "Thor"), a lack of stereotypes doesn't entirely make up for unimaginative plotting and limited-dimension characters.
A gory prologue has photojournalist Ted Harrison ("Children of the Damned's" Michael Pare) making love to his girlfriend in a jungle when they're interrupted by a werewolf; she's killed, he's mauled. As any horror fan knows, clawing by a werewolf is a sure way to become one. Back home in the Pacific Northwest mountains, Harrison moves next door to his sister Janet (Mariel Hemingway), her son Brett ("Dennis the Menace's" Mason Gamble) and Thor, their pet German Shepherd (a dog named Primo). When several neighbors are discovered killed in brutal fashion, police suspicion falls on the pooch, but only the smart canine (and the audience) knows the real culprit.
There are few surprises here, but Red's direction at least has solid technical acumen and some polish, taking advantage (with the aid of cinematographer Jan Kiesser) of British Columbia locations in atmospheric Panavision. Red's visual style provides tense moments, notably when Pare and the dog eye each other with fear and daring.
Although creating a numb, indifferent character early on, Pare eventually brings credible animalistic shadings as his character becomes more threatening. But Hemingway is just awkward and uncomfortable, and Gamble can't do much with a thankless part. However, Primo must be the most heroic and expressive German Shepherd since Rin Tin Tin. Under the inspired training of Anne Gordon and her assistants, Primo splendidly embodies a loyal, intelligent canine, making the film more successful as a fond tribute to animal courage and devotion than as a "B" movie. Starring Mariel Hemingway, Michael Pare and Mason Gamble. Directed and written by Eric Red. Produced by James G. Robinson. A Warner release. Horror. Rated R for horror violence and gore, brief language, and a scene of sexuality. Running time: 79 min.
A gory prologue has photojournalist Ted Harrison ("Children of the Damned's" Michael Pare) making love to his girlfriend in a jungle when they're interrupted by a werewolf; she's killed, he's mauled. As any horror fan knows, clawing by a werewolf is a sure way to become one. Back home in the Pacific Northwest mountains, Harrison moves next door to his sister Janet (Mariel Hemingway), her son Brett ("Dennis the Menace's" Mason Gamble) and Thor, their pet German Shepherd (a dog named Primo). When several neighbors are discovered killed in brutal fashion, police suspicion falls on the pooch, but only the smart canine (and the audience) knows the real culprit.
There are few surprises here, but Red's direction at least has solid technical acumen and some polish, taking advantage (with the aid of cinematographer Jan Kiesser) of British Columbia locations in atmospheric Panavision. Red's visual style provides tense moments, notably when Pare and the dog eye each other with fear and daring.
Although creating a numb, indifferent character early on, Pare eventually brings credible animalistic shadings as his character becomes more threatening. But Hemingway is just awkward and uncomfortable, and Gamble can't do much with a thankless part. However, Primo must be the most heroic and expressive German Shepherd since Rin Tin Tin. Under the inspired training of Anne Gordon and her assistants, Primo splendidly embodies a loyal, intelligent canine, making the film more successful as a fond tribute to animal courage and devotion than as a "B" movie. Starring Mariel Hemingway, Michael Pare and Mason Gamble. Directed and written by Eric Red. Produced by James G. Robinson. A Warner release. Horror. Rated R for horror violence and gore, brief language, and a scene of sexuality. Running time: 79 min.
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