...and turgid film-making at its least, "Skinwalkers" adds nothing to the canon beyond, perhaps, the concept of a pack of werewolves owning a mobile, armored self-restraint chamber. As is almost always the case, the fault rests primarily with the script, credited to three people--both at the beginning and end of the film!--a sure sign of meddling by the suits putting up the money. Somehow, though, I doubt the original screenplay was much better. This one involves two warring packs of shapeshifters who are focused on the impending thirteenth birthday of one of their own and what may or may not occur (beyond an anomalous and illogical "red moon") when he attains that benighted age. It's not the concept so much that rankles, though, it's the execution.
In a word: pedestrian. In two words: utterly forgettable. Director James "Jason X" Isaac should stick with effects work; either his directorial abilities are limited to fx/stunt sequences or he hasn't the artistic chops to surmount a script-by-committee. His ability to elicit quality acting performances is definitely suspect, since none of his cast acquits itself with anything approaching distinction.
I know nothing of the genesis of this project, nor do I care to. The resultant mess doesn't merit the effort. "Skinwalkers" is make-work of the most disappointing order. The viewer can only take comfort in knowing that it did so poorly at the box office that the sequel it so blatantly sets itself up for will likely never see the light of the next full moon. We at least have that to be grateful for.
In a word: pedestrian. In two words: utterly forgettable. Director James "Jason X" Isaac should stick with effects work; either his directorial abilities are limited to fx/stunt sequences or he hasn't the artistic chops to surmount a script-by-committee. His ability to elicit quality acting performances is definitely suspect, since none of his cast acquits itself with anything approaching distinction.
I know nothing of the genesis of this project, nor do I care to. The resultant mess doesn't merit the effort. "Skinwalkers" is make-work of the most disappointing order. The viewer can only take comfort in knowing that it did so poorly at the box office that the sequel it so blatantly sets itself up for will likely never see the light of the next full moon. We at least have that to be grateful for.