So now seems like the perfect time to give a whole new generation of potential backpackers the horrors all over again with Wolf Creek the TV series which is released on Blu-Ray and DVD today (10/10/2016) in the UK & Ireland by Eureka Entertainment!
30,000 people go missing in Australia each year with 90% found within the first month. The rest are never seen again.
John Jarratt reprises his role as murdering psychopath Mick Taylor. The premise of the TV show sticks with what worked in the film but has Mick Taylor met his match?
Wolf Creek follows American teenager Eve Thorogood (Lucy Fry, 11.22.63) on holiday with her family in Northern Australia. Sadistic killer Mick targets the family, viciously slaughtering them for his own twisted pleasure. Seriously injured, Eve survives the massacre of her parents and little brother, and sets out to bring the killer to justice. And so begins a chilling game of cat and mouse, with the roles reversed and the hunter becoming the hunted. A Tarantino-esque revenge tale, Wolf Creek reveals Eve’s complex and extraordinary journey, as she evolves from child to adult, from prey to predator. But can she triumph over Mick Taylor, evil incarnate?
The series spans over 6 episodes and gives strong character devolpment and the their is enough gore, scares and twists and turns to keep the audience equally enthralled and terrified. In the era of The Walking Dead and Game Of Thrones you can't help but feel that the people behind Wolf Creek are inspired by the success of these shows and feel it can compete with the big boys.
Does it all work? Mostly, the 6 episode span kills the pacing and intensity of what the original film done so well. In its place however is a extended outback slasher epic with stronger supporting characters which help to layer out the series and provide good cannon fodder when needed. Their is a frantic pace, high tension, gore, relentlessness and the horror keeps ramping up. It's anxious watching. The first 5 episodes are definitely stronger than the final one which disjoints the path we are on. Interestingly the final episode is directed by the original films director Greg McLean and it feels like he wanted to put his own stamp on the series and in doing so creates a unnecessary shift that displaces the viewer.
The cinematography, sound and presentation of the series is stunning. The acting is mostly top notch.
The Blu-ray presentation is well presented and each episode spread across the 2 discs look fantastic. Special Features are the usual supplementals Cinema To Series feature, Making A Series feature, Locations, Visual effects & Cast. With only 6 episodes you will want to binge on the episodes all in one sitting. A worthwhile revisit to a modern horror favourite.
The Australian tourism board will hate it but horror audiences will love this series.
4/5
