Brotherhood of the Wolf MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -3

Set in 18th Century France, this French language film follows the investigation by Gregoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan), a prominent Parisian biologist, of a mysterious beast terrorizing the countryside of southern France. He brings along his close friend and protector, Mani (Mark Dacascos), a Native American met during travels in the Americas. The first half of the film sets the stage nicely by exposing the audience to the countrysides terror of the beast as entire armies fail to stop its rampage. However, as the story progresses, Fronsac finds himself up against much more than just the beast. The film combines drama, action, and romance as it slowly builds towards its final confrontation. And while the story is relatively engaging and avoids the flat characters common in action films, the film does have shortcomings. In this day of digital wonders, the special effects in the beasts scenes are not up to par. Despite the success of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON as a dramatic action film, subtitles may be a drawback for general audiences. That could be enough to limit its box office appeal.

While the story presents a real beast terrorizing villagers, the true beasts in this film are those men and women blinded by prejudice and fear. Without giving too much away, it is that group of people that scares Fronsac the most, for they can do far more damage than some wild beast. The film opens with an intense scene as a woman is chased and captured by the beast. What makes the scene especially terrifying is not what is shown, the beast remains unseen, but gruesome images created by sounds. Other scenes include gory sights, most notably a gruesome impaling and a gory autopsy performed on a dead wolf. The weary men attend a local brothel on a regular basis and several scenes include naked women. A graphic sex scene occurs as well. In the end, graphic violence and explicit sexual content prevent joining the BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608