TEEN WOLF TOO

US, 1987, 95 minutes, Colour.
Jason Bateman, Kim Darby, John Astin, Paul Sand, James Hampton.
Directed by Christopher Leitch.

Teen Wolf Too is a pleasant re-run of the original Teen Wolf plot. The first film was a star vehicle for Michael J. Fox from Family Ties, before he had success with Back to the Future. Jason Baterian, who has appeared in several telemovies and television series, takes over as Fox's cousin. His uncle, played by James Hampton, offers continuity.

The film is really one of those popular university and college campus films of the '80s. However, there is enjoyment in the mild-mannered human being becoming a werewolf and transformed into a success and heart-throb. Needless to say, as in the original, becoming the wolf isn't everything. it is better to rely on one's human qualities. John Astin hams it up as the head of the college. Kim Darby has a small but pleasant role as the science teacher and guardian werewolf.

For those who enjoyed the original, this sequel is a pleasant re-run.

1. Enjoyable story? Plausibility? College campus comedy? Romance? The playing with the werewolf theme?

2. The American campus, college life? Families? Fraternities? The stunt work? The editing and pace, especially for the boxing? The special effects for the wolf transformation?

3. The title and the play on words? The re-run of the original?

4. The cousin and his scholarship, coming to college with his uncle, establishing the links with the original? The importance of the boxing? The headmaster and his plans? The science teacher and her help? The sympathetic student, attracted towards her, falling in love, her being hurt by the wolf's behaviour, the reconciliation and her help? The transformation as the wolf? The dance, the boxing? The contrast with the ordinary student and his mild-mannered style? Study? Over-success and people fawning on him? It going to his head? The crisis, calling his uncle, reconciliation with the girlfriend, the study? The science teacher and the exam? His success? Fighting on his own merits? His friends' support? The victory? (A new Rocky!)

5. The girl and her attractiveness, study, support, disappointment, helping with the exam, the final romance?

6. Styles as his room-mate, the slob, promoting the wolf, the sport, managing, the bouts? The fat student and his friendship, support, the boxing bouts and training? The competition with the college? His victories?

7. The headmaster and his plots, the eccentric emphasis on sport? John Astin's over-the-top performance? His manoeuverings, the money? The confrontation with the science teacher and her dominating him?


8. The science teacher, sympathetic, quiet, her help? The final exam? her being a werewolf and intimidating the headmaster?

9. The jocks and the girls, the college types, the attack on the nerd types? The boxing bouts? Their comeuppance?

10. The atmosphere of college, study, sport, fraternities, dances?

12. The message: the importance of study, of relying on oneself? A pleasant college fable for the teenage audience?