Dog Soldiers: Better Than Underworld
Photo credit: Centurion
This opinion piece is about Dog Soldiers-a criminally overlooked 2002 horror film, swept under the rug in favor of the overrated Underworld CGI fest.
The Main Cast
Sean Pertwee as Sergeant Harry Wells
Kevin McKidd as Private Cooper
Emma Cleasby as Megan
Liam Cunningham as Captain Ryan
Thomas Lockyer as Corporal Bruce Campbell(yup)
Darren Morfitt as Witherspoon
Chris Robson as Private Joe Kirkley
Leslie Simpson as Private Terry Milburn
and
Villrikke’s Acer as very good boi Sam
Sam(on the right) is a very good and brave boi.
Photo credit: Centurion
The Premise
A special ops group is sent into the Scottish Highlands on what they believe is a training mission. Instead, the men fight a pack of werewolves. Holed up in an isolated farmhouse, the soldiers soon learn that the animals are as intelligent as they are vicious. They have to use all their skills to stay alive until morning. That is, if the enemy isn’t already inside.
Overlooked
This film came about just as the Underworld series debuted. While I’m sure that franchise has its merits for fans(Kate Beckinsale in latex), the overuse of now dated CGI leaves me cold. This film has atmosphere, practical effects, and the gallows humor common in the military. The werewolves aren’t typical looking, and that’s spooky. Read on to see why, believers in the paranormal.
Realistic
This is no ordinary enemy.
How would you react if you suddenly were slapped(clawed?) in the face with the reality of werewolves being real? What if you were in the middle of nowhere with the best military training, not to mention being the best of the best? When not fighting the werewolves at the door, the men are holed up in the unfamiliar farmhouse. They treat the werewolves like any other enemy at first, before realizing how cunning these creatures are, and how militaristic their actions seem. Dog soldiers, indeed.
As a sidenote, there is a paranormal creature that has been spotted worldwide. This movie is cited as a description reference of the frightening Dogman by some witnesses(y’know, ones that have seen the movie).
Sean Pertwee
Photo credit: Centurion
Sean Pertwee should be on your list of favorite actors. Look no further than this film if you need to know why.
Tight Quarters
There’s no extreme paranoia in this film as there is in The Thing, but there is mounting tension as the men, and their female rescuer run low on weapons and time. The farmhouse is unfamiliar, cramped, and holds an unwelcome secret or two as the night wears on.
The tight quarters also get us into the characters minds, finding out their quirks, valor, and humor. We become invested, and actually feel for them when something happens to them.
Inside the house, one or two of the men are wounded from being attacked by the werewolves. And while we know what that means, these men do not. One of the men also has a secret agenda.
Twists
Along with the aforementioned secret agenda, there are twists and turns that make the film a taut piece of horror-and storytelling in general.
Forget the Sequel
Forget the sequel.
What do you think about Dog Soldiers? If you aren’t a fan, you will be after a watch.
