Sunday Afternoon Movie: Teen Wolf (1985)
The sun is shining, the garden doors are open letting in the promise of summer. Whilst a good portion of the day was spent outside larking about, and getting involved in shenanigans, I will still make time for the Sunday afternoon movie.
Aided with my trusty Mac, a glass of iced tea I set about enjoying today’s movie in the garden enjoying the splendid day outside.
This week’s movie is an 80s classic that holds a special place in my heart. Teen Wolf was released the same year as Back To The Future and helped seal its star Michael J Fox as a bankable and likable leading man.
The universally relatable story of finding your place in the world and reaching for your dreams, still rings true today even if the make up effects haven’t aged well.
Unlike other teenagers, Scott Howard has all the regular stuff to deal with, oh and puberty for him means turning into a werewolf. However, this is a family comedy so the werewolves are funny rather than scary and there’s not a dead person in sight.
Scott goes from school outcast to basketball champion, his abilities when he’s a werewolf make him a star and slowly Scott starts to get all the things he wanted. There were moments when I was a teenager I would sometimes daydream that I was a werewolf like MJF, but once I’d seen An American Werewolf In London it all became a bit more of a horrifying prospect.
The end message might be crudely sign-posted, but it’s a timeless lesson and being yourself is always the best way to be. The finale is tied together with an awesomely cheesy pop song, Shooting For The Moon by Amy Holland.
Jason Bateman starred in the sequel, playing Scott’s cousin Todd and the basketball court is replaced with a boxing ring. Needless to say it lacked the charm and wit of the first, and even though I like Bateman, he’s no Michael J Fox.
The recent TV series of Teen Wolf is very much a name only spin-off, it’s not bad but it doesn’t compare to the original movie.
My good friend and perpetual 80s boy Steve would agree with me, that a dose of 80s MJF on a Sunday makes everything all better.
Happy Sunday
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