Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Howling III: The Marsupials Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 2, 2019

Much like the numerous films based on “The Amityville Horror,” “The Howling” has also inspired a franchise where the installments have very little to do with one another, going down their own path with different producers and behind-the-scenes talent, trying to use brand recognition to lure viewers back into the depths of low-budget horror entertainment. Writer/director Philippe Mora certainly couldn’t be faulted for trying to change his approach to the series, with his “Howling II” entering production with a certain attempt at menace, ending up something wacky and crudely exploitative, a far cry from Joe Dante’s 1981 achievement. Unwilling to accept the results, Mora returns to action with “The Howling III,” which doesn’t have anything to do with the previous chapters, retreating to the wilds of Australia to contort werewolf myth into a cinematic offering that’s greatly influenced by its surroundings, emerging with a genre romp that’s more humorous than horrifying, and rarely does it make much sense.

Jeroba (Imogen Annesley) is a werewolf looking to get away from her tribe, which is led in secret by Thylo (Max Fairchild). Escaping into Sydney, Jeroba is spotted on the streets by Donny (Leigh Biolos), who’s working on a low-budget horror picture in town, recruiting the runaway for a role in the movie. Falling in love with the stranger, Donny offers his heart to Jeroba, soon learning about her animalistic ways, with their one-night stand resulting in an accelerated pregnancy. On the case is Beckmeyer (Barry Otto), an anthropologist with family ties to the werewolf community, who’s joined by Sharp (Ralph Cotterill), a scientist, with the men setting out to understand the extent of the creature problems in rural Australia. While Jeroba and Donny deal with their baby issues, Beckmeyer and Sharp encounter strangeness with Russian ballet dancer Olga (Dasha Blahova), who’s part of a different tribe of werewolves, triggering sympathy from the researchers, who aren’t sure they’re encountering evil with these discoveries.

“Howling III” throws a lot of information at the viewer during its opening act, and little of it grabs the imagination. We meet Beckmeyer, who has footage of a werewolf discovery from 1905, but isn’t sure what to make of it. Jeroba is casually trying to escape from her tribe in the land of Flow, seemingly unruffled by disturbing developments concerning abuse from Thylo. And, for some reason, the U.S. Government plays a key role in Australian affairs, only here the President is trailed by a camera crew of some sort, recording all his meetings for future study. Most of the ideas introduced at the opening of “Howling III” don’t make it to the end of the tale, but that type of wildly inconsistent storytelling seems to be Mora’s modus operandi, launching his version of a “Howling” adventure in multiple directions, just to see what sticks.

The screenplay never settles down, but it does investigate the life experiences of the werewolves, with Olga representing another population of monsters, with her transformation occurring on stage during a ballet rehearsal. “Howling III” does try to be sensitive to the beasts, with Mora displaying their mistreatment at the hands of scientists and government stooges, who seek to trigger transformations with strobe lights. And there’s Jeroba, who goes from a film star to a new mom, embodying the marsupial reimagining of the werewolf threat, with her own newborn climbing its way into her pouch. Such wild ideas should be fun, but Mora doesn’t set a consistent tone, trying to balance jokes, satire, and sincerity, though he’s held back on all fronts by a lack of funds, delivering cheapy make-up effects and strange editing that tries to create excitement out of nothing special.

Howling III: The Marsupials Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

An unlikely recipient of a "4K scan of the original film elements," "Howling III" looks terrific for this Shout Factory Blu-ray release (restoration work was completed by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia). The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is bright and clear, with excellent detail throughout, permitting a full look at make-up achievements, which is probably not a great idea for certain werewolf looks provided here. Hair coverage is easily spotted, adding to the intensity of transformations, and skin particulars are defined in close-ups, isolating a lot of sweatiness. City tours are vividly dimensional, and interiors handle room size well. Primaries are vivid, with period costuming coming through as intended, also doing well with greenery and street signage. Skintones are natural, and werewolf appearances retain their monstrous hues. Grain is fine and filmic. Delineation is tight and communicative. Source is in strong shape.

Howling III: The Marsupials Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides an enjoyably defined listening event, with a slightly wider frontal presence. Dialogue exchanges are sharp and sure, maintaining clarity on accents and performances. Scoring is lively, with synth offerings emerging confidently, supporting horror turns with necessary. Instrumentation satisfies. Atmospherics deliver appealing position, along with community movement for tribal and film set encounters. Sound effects are louder, with emphasis on bone-cracking werewolf transformations.

Howling III: The Marsupials Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director Philippe Mora.

• Interview (27:23, HD) with Mora begins with an overview of his work on "Howling II," which was a job he took simply for the money, as his wife requested a new car. Such creative ambition was put to the test by a cheap producer who rented suits from "Planet of the Apes" to portray the werewolves, forcing Mora to scramble to make a lycanthrope movie with monkey outfits. With the VHS success of "Howling II," Mora was inspired to make another chapter, easily picking up budgetary money from a bank, while partnering with "Howling" author Gary Brandner to keep close to the literary source. The helmer discusses his choice to use comedy as a way to engage the audience, and his delight with Brandner's permission, having secured his trust by introducing the older man to Sybil Danning on the set of "Howling II." With a plan to "go crazy" with "Howling III," Mora ran with his wacky ideas, using satire to tie it all together. There's a brief summary of reactions (Mora believes viewers are afraid to admit they like the picture), casting highlights, and a celebration of reviews, with the interviewee referencing a positive write-up in The New York Times repeatedly throughout the discussion.

• Interviews (18:56, SD) are extended chats with Mora and special make-up effects artist Bob McCarron, collected for the 2008 documentary on Ozploitation, "Not Quite Hollywood."

• And a Home Video Trailer (2:06, SD) is included.

Howling III: The Marsupials Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

With so many "Howling" movies in circulation, the bizarre nature of "Howling III" helps it to stand out from the sequels and copycats. It wears its heritage proudly, and the more Australian the feature gets, the better it is, finding plenty to do with local culture. It's not a very strong endeavor, but horror enthusiasts are skilled enough to pick and choose what they enjoy about the film. As a whole package, "The Howling III" doesn't deliver a powerhouse sense of the macabre, with Mora electing to go bananas with his second attempt to build something from this sandbox, trying a little too hard at times to be outrageous when he really needs is a heaping helping of structure to clarify and streamline his stab at marsupial madness.