DVD Release Date: June 12, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: January 26, 2007
Rating: PG-13 (for violence/terror, some sexuality and substance abuse)
Genre: Science Fiction/Horror
Run Time: 98 min.
Director: Katja Von Garnier
Actors: Agnes Bruckner, Olivier Martinez, Hugh Dancy, Bryan Dick, Katja Riemann

Vivian (Agnes Bruckner) is a pretty teenager who was raised as an American, but now lives with her aunt Astrid (Katja Riemann) and creepy Uncle Gabriel (Olivier Martinez) in Bucharest, Romania, after authorities killed her parents.  She works in a chocolate shop, goes for long runs and tries to avoid Gabriel, who keeps reminding her that it will soon be time for him to take a new wife—her.  He gets a new woman every seven years, according to werewolf tradition.

Along with her aunt, uncle and cousin, Rafe (Bryan Dick), she belongs to a pack of werewolves (or “loup garoux,” as they prefer to be called) who are at least 5,000 years old.  Their ruler is Gabriel, who likes to preach the ancient prophecies, including the one which foretells of a young woman who will liberate the wolves from man’s reign, ushering in a new age of “hope and glory.”  Gabriel thinks this woman must be Vivian.  Meanwhile, for kicks, he likes to gather his pack and set them loose on hunts, during which they shed their clothes, dive into the air like Olympians and, with the help of some schmaltzy CGI light, transform into hungry wolves who rip humans apart.

The moon has nothing to do with their transformation, however.  These lycanthropes can shape-shift whenever they want, or whenever their blood is shed.  The only way someone knows this is about to happen?  Their eyes, which become, well, wolf-like.

This, along with Vivian’s impending nuptials, poses a huge problem.  She has no friends and keeps to herself, so after meeting Aidan (Hugh Dancy), an American graphic novelist who just happens to be researching werewolves for his next book, Vivian does everything she can to avoid him.  Her need gives way, however, and soon the two are dancing in and out of fountains to a Hillary Duff-like music score.  This infuriates Rafe, who regularly disobeys Gabriel’s rule of hunting only in packs, in order to satisfy his carnal lust.  Rafe reports Vivian’s treachery to Gabriel, who orders Rafe to take care of Aidan.  Soon, Aidan has the entire pack on his heels.  Will Vivian betray her family and save him?

German director Katja Von Garnier fills this film with beautiful, travelogue-like shots of Bucharest.  The cinematography is strong, with nocturnal streetscapes, dimly-lit church shots and some nightclub scenes that all promise suspense.  Unfortunately, it’s far too violent (with hints of sensuality) for any but the most mature of teens, despite its PG-13 rating.  The problem is that they, the film’s intended audience, are likely to end up howling—with laughter.