Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Wolfpack Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 8, 2022

“Wolfpack” is from 1987, but it definitely plays much more interestingly in 2022. Screenwriters Fred E. Sharkey and William Milling (who also directs) use drama at a New Jersey high school to explore the rituals and dangers of fascism, where lessons from Nazi Germany are being utilized by the football team to generate a form of control over the student body and staff. It’s analysis of power that’s eerily reminiscent of the world we live in today, with the writing using the trials of adolescence to detail the ways of the Big Lie, highlighting the ease of its return and the influence it carries. “Wolfpack” is a teen movie that’s quite different from the competition, and while it still deals with the ways of love and acceptance, Sharkey and Milling attempt to subvert subgenre expectations, providing a slightly more muscular intellectual exercise. The production hopes to hit impressionable minds with the work, providing a look at the ease of influence and submission when the seductive ways of deception take command of the masses.

Moving to Wake, New Jersey, teen Sam (Jim Abele) is looking forward to a fresh start in a new school, with dreams of using football to secure a future at Princeton University, hoping to explore space one day. The reality of Wake High School is a bit more earthbound, as Sam encounters a variety of personalities, eventually welcomed by Jack (Tony Carlin), the team quarterback who has big plans for the Wolfpack this season, looking to lead the squad to playoff glory. Sam is quick to fit in with the jocks, and he finds a girlfriend in Myra (Debbie Barker), achieving popularity and promise while the Wolfpack begins a streak of wins. However, Jack has a little more in mind when it comes to influence, using the history of Nazi Germany, provided by teacher Vere (John A. MacKay), to take control of the students and staff, offering fierce rhetoric and growing violence on the playing field to assert dominance. Sam grows wary of such behavior, beginning to realize he’s caught up in something dangerous as the team grows in power.

Unlike a lot of new-kid-in-town stories, Sam isn’t a sullen teen hesitant to mix in with the crowds at school. He’s a bright, respectful teenager living in a literal castle, moving in with landlord Pudge, a kindly old man who loves football and drives a DeLorean, happy to have a promising player on the Wolfpack. Sam’s ready to make something of himself, eager to build his G.P.A. and join the football team, which hasn’t been doing well in recent weeks. The opening of “Wolfpack” explores the burgeoning ruthlessness of the squad, who band together to injure one of their own, permitting Jack to take command of field, and he has big plans for a championship, eager to meet Sam and get the players inspired again.

Jack’s enthusiasm is motivated by Vere’s lessons on Nazi Germany, teaching his students about the sinister business of groupthink and propaganda, which motivates the quarterback to run for student body president, giving him a platform to preach to the masses. Milling charts this rise to power carefully, managing to avoid a few perils of low-budget filmmaking, showcasing some style and, most importantly, a sense of community as Jack’s influence grows, preaching on the ways of pride. Sam’s arc starts at conformity, but develops into concern over the course of the movie, partially inspired by Myra’s influence, with the young women aware of what’s going on, struggling to understand why her boyfriend is so clearly headed in the wrong direction. “Wolfpack” has supporting character issues, with Myra in and out of the feature in increasingly erratic ways, but she represents the voice of reason, adding substance to Sam’s journey in the picture.

Milling isn’t the best juggler when it comes to subplots, and a few diversions are more bizarre than helpful, including action inside the school bathroom, where the smokers and addicts reign, though nothing substantial ever comes from this addition. More time could be spent with the faculty, who seem to be unaware of obvious issues. “Wolfpack” mostly remains with Sam’s resistance and Jack’s authority, which develops into violence as a form of control, giving the feature a few horror elements to help maintain interest in a largely psychological tale.

Wolfpack Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) is sourced from a 2K scan of 35mm original vault elements. Vinegar Syndrome pulls "Wolfpack" out of obscurity, giving it a fresh look on Blu-ray, with detail strong throughout the viewing experience. High school hallways and football action retains depth, and textures are appealing on skin surfaces and clothing, which favors athletic wear and stiff academic suits. Colors are respectfully refreshed, finding bright greenery during sporting events and home tours, and vivid primaries on school decoration. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving shadow play and evening interactions. Grain is heavy but film-like. Source is in good condition, with a few brief stretches of wear and tear.

Wolfpack Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix has a few brief moments of age, but largely remains compelling. Dialogue exchanges are defined, with performance power noted. Scoring cues are clear, delivering decent instrumentation and balance, along with a few vocal performances.

Wolfpack Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Return to the Wolf's Den: The Locations of 'Wolfpack'" (9:47, HD) brings viewers to Wayne Hills High School in New Jersey, where parts of the picture were shot. Host Michael Gingold offers a tour of the area, also visiting New York for a few additional locations, ending up at Princeton University to close out the featurette.

• "Leader of the Pack" (10:50, HD) is an interview with director William Milling, who originally set out to explore Nazi Germany issues in a U.S. setting with "Wolfpack," specifically replicating the post-World War I atmosphere of the country. Milling also seems a bit disturbed to find the feature relevant again in today's world. Characters are detailed and time with co-writer Fred E. Sharkey is recalled, with Milling crediting him for most of the screenplay's ideas. The interviewee provides his directorial philosophy, and goes deep into artistic choices made during the shoot, with specific attention to the lighting design. Receiving full cooperation from the high school, Milling was able to realize his vision, using students as extras. A discussion of the picture's distribution and the screenplay's dramatic themes closes out the chat.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Wolfpack Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Wolfpack" is clumsy at times (it seems the actors have never picked up a football before), and it doesn't build to a momentous conclusion, but it's trying to do something different with typical hallway pressures. The writing is ambitious and the acting is earnest, helping Milling to sell his ideas on the insidious ways of fascism, giving viewers something to think about as the tale grows in intimidation and darkness. Again, what's here as fiction certainly applies to the fact of today, making for a fascinating sit and a nice break from the usual stories about adolescence, especially in the 1980s. "Wolfpack" is a little bolder and less interested in trends of the day, attempting to bring big ideas to an audience that could do with a little food for thought.