When you pick up a movie with the title Strippers vs. Werewolves, to expect anything more than schlocky B-movie horror is a mistake by the viewer and the viewer alone. This foray into cheesy cinema is best viewed after a few drinks or just as random fun late at night when you can’t sleep. It’s never a movie trying to change the way we view cinema but instead just something to have some fun with, a simple escape where our brains can shut off and simply enjoy the show.
While giving a private dance, Justice (Adele Silva) kills a well-dressed gentleman who changes into a werewolf. Little does Justice know that he is connected to a powerful pack of werewolves that will stop at nothing to avenge their fallen pack member. But this isn’t the first run-in with werewolves by Jeanette (Sarah Douglas), the owner of the Vixens strip club; she’s fought and killed werewolves before and is ready to do it again to protect her club and the girls.
But little does Justice know the werewolves are closer than she thinks, because her fiancée, Scott (Martin Compston) is a member of the pack that is out for blood, though he is unaware about her secret about being a stripper. Sure, it’s convenient for plot purposes, but it’s still fun. But things still get worse for the beautiful Justice when in the heat of passion she bites her fiancée, which results in her slow transformation into a werewolf as well.
The makeup effects are nice here; they reminded me heavily of Teen Wolf (the 80s film not the new MTV show), and when this was confirmed for me when listening to the commentary it solidified my appreciation for this film. There is plenty gore to go around, but it’s not dependent on it, nor does the film depend on the nudity of the girls, because that is a bit sparse considering the title. But what helps this film the most is that it has a decent script and is well directed. To support my point, if you check out the one scene in which Robert Englund shows up in as an imprisoned American werewolf, his dialog together with his delivery is just creepy and awesome. Reminded me why Englund is the icon that he is.
Getting into the direction, the choice to shoot the film like a comic book by mixing in some animated frames and also showing the film at times in split screen panels was a wise decision on their part. Even deciding to have a cover of “Hungry Like the Wolf” play during the opening credits helped set the tone for the film that was to follow.
For me personally though, the highlight was seeing the girls up on stage in their Red Riding Hood attire before going to battle with the werewolves. For me this little indulgence was exactly the sexy kind of fun I hoped this film would have, and it delivered. I guess the best way I can describe this is, it’s not art, but instead junk food for the brain.
Video
Strippers vs. Werewolves is presented in 2.34:1 aspect ratio, and the 1080p is arrived at with an AVC MPEG-4 codec averaging around 26 MBPS. This was shot on HD but doesn’t deliver on the HD detail that you would hope. Overall the film has a flat, muted look to it. Considering most of the film takes place in the club or outside at night, it overall has a muddy look. There isn’t much separation in the blacks, and that seems to be what a lot of the patrons are wearing. This isn’t a very good-looking film, unfortunately, but I don’t believe the filmmakers were out to dazzle us with their camera work on this one.
Audio
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track at least delivers more so than the video. The track utilizes music that plays throughout the film that has an 80’s feel to it in the vein of Duran Duran. There is good use of ambient sound mixed to help immerse you in the club atmosphere. All the dialog is clear and overall made for a good experience.
Producers Commentary: An amusing commentary with producers Jonathan Sothcott and Simon Phillips. They offer up plenty of insight behind the making of the film and have fun pointing out the problems they had with the film. Nothing groundbreaking, but if you want to know more about the film it’s worth a listen.
Special Features
Behind The Scenes: (11:27). A very brief collection of interviews with the cast and some of the crew discussing the parts they play in the making of the film. We get a few brief moments of seeing some make up being applied and some behind-the-scenes footage, but nothing exciting here.
Trailer: The original trailer for the film.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t going to make anyone’s best films list, nor was it trying to. If you have a chance to pick it up for low price or you happen to see it on cable, give it a shot and just have some fun with it. But this isn’t something to go out of your way and look for.
