With its latest film, Werewolf by Night, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ventures into the horror genre for the first time since it all began, and it also comes out right in time for Halloween. The plot opens with a gathering of a secret cabal of monster hunters after the passing of their leader, Ulysses Bloodstone, and is based on a Marvel Comics story.
The filmmaker Michael Giacchino, who is best known in Hollywood for his work as a film composer, makes his directorial debut with Werewolf by Night (he won an Oscar for his work on Up). How did Werewolf by Night perform among both given that critics frequently have conflicting opinions regarding comics-based ventures and audiences are starting to become tired of superheroes?
The Marvel special garnered an outstanding 91 percent rating as critics hailed Giacchino's masterful work behind the camera, with San Francisco calling the special "an hour of pure cinematic delight" and film-authority.com stating as much. However, other people also think that Werewolf by Night works despite Giacchino's direction having room for improvement.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that the mix "isn't always cohesive, swinging wildly from rich and really evocative one moment to purposely cheesy the next, and I'd suggest that Giacchino and cinematographer Zo White certainly could have pushed the extremities of the aesthetic even more."
However, if you simply view Werewolf by Night as a proof of concept for how the Disney+/Marvel brand can include this absurd area of the comic canon, it works.
Many people concur that it's a delightful addition to one Halloween entertainment collection at the same time. According to the San Jose Mercury News, "the sets harken back to the vintage '30s, and the dark streak of comedy and make this one enticing watching for the Halloween season."
After the kids are in bed, adults will enjoy this entertaining flashback thanks to Marvel, which Giacchino wanted to do, according to Movies & Shakers. We believe that Werewolf by Night is an ideal replacement for old Halloween viewing favourites. Spirited, scary good time!
Surprisingly, the movie has a 92 percent audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While some critics have called the special dull, most think it is one of the MCU's most intriguing releases to date.
One reviewer said, "Different from any other programme thus far, and it was really good." Another person remarked that Werewolf by Night is a wonderful diversion from the MCU's usual superhero movies and television programmes.
"Every fan of Marvel wants to see this kind of variety. We don't constantly require the bubblewrapped comedies Marvel has been pouring on us, one reviewer said. "Give us a story and some action, and sprinkle some humour into the Werewolf by Night world. This has excellent vision and direction, and I hope Marvel pays attention. We prefer more of this to what they have been promoting.
Best Marvel product in a while, according to another user. They have been slacking down somewhat, so I was astonished by how well this turned out. Unlike everything they did in phase 4, this phase is much more fascinating and gory. If you like horror films, I highly recommend it.
Another viewer commented, "I came into it with an open mind expecting it to be a watch and forget show Marvel has been cranking out for a while now on Disney+.
Instead, I came upon a short novella with a strong horror theme and some strong character moments. One user, though, succinctly put it all together by adding, "Perfect in all the strange ways."
Although Werewolf by Night appears to be a stand-alone effort (it is a Halloween special, after all), fans have tried to make connections despite this. One theory holds that the movie has something to do with a future MCU figure and a recently presented hero.
One Redditor noted that the larger Marvel universe has a "HUGE supernatural component." "This includes the titular character, monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone (like Van Helsing), and what appears to be Man-debut. Thing's Blade and Moon Knight are seen as belonging to this supernatural side.
At the same time, it's probable that even detractors have heard of Marvel's potential ambitions to integrate more characters from this universe into the MCU. Werewolf by Night "hints at more monster business to come," according to Empire Magazine. The film "blazes a new course for the MCU that opens up a lot of possibilities," according to JoBLo's Movie Network.
However, Marvel has not yet released any information on a sequel or even a potential return of Elsa to the MCU. Enjoy the special for the time being.
