Dylan Dog: Dead of Night
(2011, Kevin Munroe)
Dylan Dog was based on the Italian comic book of the same name. Apparently very loosely based, since the Italians hated it. Hate, here, being shorthand for critically autopsied it and found it rather empty inside. It was, in truth a blending of horror, action and comedy which could have been done better.
The titl
e character is played by Brandon (Superman Returns) Routh. I'm not sure if I can say anything nice about Mr. Routh. I feel like he's an empty vessel. He plays generic, middle of the road action guys well, but doesn't show a depth of emotion. Sam Huntington plays his partner, Marcus. Huntington is a funny guy, and used to being Routh's best pal (he played Jimmy Olsen). He brings a playfulness to the film, which would have been much grimmer without his character's nervous babbling. That said, too much damned babbling and freaking out. Anita Briem plays Elizabeth Ryan, the client that sets the movie in motion. Ms. Briem was the perfect counterpoint to Routh, since she also feels like a cardboard cut-out spouting lines. Wrestler Kurt Angle plays Wolfgang, the rather obviously named werewolf. Angle scares me, and thankfully delivers his lines well, as I would not want to cross him. What I'm trying to say is, he goes from zero to psycho in 5 seconds flat, and this does not feel like an act to me. Peter Stormare plays his father, Gabriel Cysnos. Stormare is another actor I just can't believe in. Maybe it's the way he delivers his lines, I do not truly know. His every utterance feels...forced. Last but not least, Taye Diggs plays ambitious vampire clan leader Vargas. Thank you for being charismatic and putting just the correct amount of asshole-ishness in a movie villain. You, sir, kept my interest on the screen.Ok, so here's a rundown of some things to expect if you watch this movie.
Expect to be subjected to all the tired old film noir tropes. The lone detective with a tragic past who takes on a case for a mysterious and alluring femme fatale who is not what she seems while dodging or re-acquainting himself with old friends and enemies, one of whom is much more powerful (in the political sense) than he used to be. Now, I am in no way saying that these are bad things to be in a film. They are not...when done correctly. But here, with the plodding gait of a tired old whore going through the motions one more time for a few coins, they feel forced and somewhat expected.
Expect some genuinely funny moments. Sam Huntington freaks out and it is funny...the first time. By the third or fourth time, you REALLY want someone to shoot him. Repeatedly. It feels like freaking out and babbling is what he was told to do all day, and they filmed what they thought were the funnier freakouts. Likewise, Routh's character feels like he doesn't care if he lives or dies from one moment to the next. So why should we?
Expect to be surprised that the hero has nothing to do with the victory of goodness and life and America and apple pie and all that bull. Really, he seemed to just be in the right place with the wrong preparations, and he totally ignored the advice he was given earlier in the movie...and this wasn't enigmatic advice wrapped in a riddle. This was straightforward “here's how you deal with this issue” advice. He didn't even have a moral conflict over what does happen in the end. He comes off like an emotionless prick.
So yeah, I can't say I recommend this film. It's like cinematic Chinese food: you'll be hungry for another, better movie later and wonder why you spent the money on that crap that left you hungry in the first place.
DVD Special Features:
Nothing to see here, move along. Seriously, not even a trailer.
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