Title: The Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf
Starring: Annie McEnroe, Reb Brown, Christopher Lee
Directed By: Phillipe Mora
UK Release Date: 18th January 2010
Certificate: 18
Released in 1985, at around the same time as An American Werewolf in London, The Howling II is very much of the time and although An American Werewolf in London might have done better at the box office and may stick in people’s minds more easily, this doesn’t mean that The Howling franchise didn’t have something to offer. Fans of werewolf films don’t get a lot to go on these days, Underworld despite featuring the beautiful Kate Beckinsale wasn’t exactly brilliant was it?
In terms of music and wardrobe it’s pretty dated but regardless of that minor detail, director Phillpe Mora created a fun (if a little corny) and atmospheric horror flick that can be enjoyed simply for its pure 80s-ness!
Horror go-to-guy Christopher Lee is Steffan Crosscoe, an investigator and werewolf hunter. Annie McEnroe is Jenny Templeton the journalist looking to make a name for herself by uncovering the truth. Another horror stalwart is Sybil Danning, here she plays the role of Stirba-the bisexual werewolf queen. She wears a golden leotard and smoulders throughout be it ‘clothed’ or semi naked. Of course she also looks good as a wolf. Wooooooo!
By today’s standards the werewolf transformations are on the cheap side but they are fairly creative. And to be honest, if you’ve been watching Being Human on the BBC then I’m not sure you’ll notice much difference - maybe werewolf costumes are just difficult to do, because to me they always look a bit ropey.
The Howling II is often considered not to be as good as the original, but few sequels outdo their predecessors anyway. What you do get here is blood-smeared virgins being sacrificed, eye-popping gore (literally – someone has their eyes popped right out of their head – eww!) and a sex orgy rock concert of types. On the down side there is a hell of a lot of people walking through the woods at night.
Special Features: None
Price: RRP £15.99
