Teen Wolf
Directed by Rod Daniel
- comedy
- fantasy
- romance
The story
When a shy teenager's new-found powers help him score at basketball - and with the popular girls - he has some pretty hairy decisions to make.
What it’s like
Bright, flat suburban daylight and warm gym fluorescents give this 1985 comedy the glossy, slightly faded look of mid-eighties American teen films, with bold primary colours in letterman jackets, cheerleader sweaters and tinselly high-school dances. The camera stays fairly conventional: medium two-shots, quick cutting during basketball games, and a lot of easy, bouncing rhythm punctuated by synth-pop and rock tracks that keep the energy up. The vibe is goofy, sunny and affectionate, the kind of light, hangout comedy that suits a lazy Saturday afternoon, a comfort rewatch, or something to put on while tidying up. Intensity is low: there is no real gore, the werewolf transformations are cartoonish and played for laughs, and the few scuffles are mild slapstick. Its emotional register is warm and playful, following a shy, underestimated teenager as he gains confidence and learns to be comfortable in his own skin. It is for people who want a gentle, funny coming-of-age story with nostalgic eighties charm and no real scares.
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