Indicator, out now

When book editor Jack Nicholson is bitten by a wolf he starts to develop acute senses and discovers blood on his clothes after blackouts. Is he going mad or is he turning into a werewolf?

Mike Nichol’s 1992 star vehicle for Nicholson is one of those movies (like the actor’s Witches of Eastwick) that straddles multiple genres and yet fails to satisfy the fans of any. Wolf, even though it boasts werewolf effects by Rick Baker, is just not scary or gory enough to impress horror hounds, but it’s also too hokey and violent for those who want to enjoy the romantic elements with Michelle Pfeiffer.

Ultimately it’s about dog eat dog (literally!) office politics, with a few tame lycanthropic transformations and toothy snarls. James Spader plays the upstart editor moving in on Nicholson’s job and wife, while Christopher Plummer plays the media tycoon disapproving of Nicholson’s blossoming relationship with his daughter (Pfeiffer).

It’s a lush, old school romantic score from Ennio Morricone, who I sense was writing for a different sort of film, and it was fun spotting the ubiquitous Bradbury Building turning up as the main office location, though it’s actually in LA, and not Vermont. This is the movie’s Blu-ray premiere and is a limited edition release (3,000 copies).

Special features include The Beast Inside: Creating Wolf, a 54 mins documentary on the making of the film with new interviews from Rick Baker, screenwriter Wesley Strick and producer Douglas Wick. There’s also archival interviews with director Mike Nichols, actors Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader and Kate Nelligan. It’s rounded off with some  B-roll footage, theatrical trailer, an image gallery and exclusive booklet with a new essay by Brad Stevens, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and historic articles on the film.

Verdict: At two hours long, this schlocky horror romance has delusions of grandeur. Ultimately it’s The Wolfman with a few modern trappings. It’s a fine transfer and the extras are acceptable, but the A-list cast and budget can disguise the B-movie qualities. 5/10

Nick Joy