[CINEPOCALYPSE 2018] – ‘WOLFMAN’S GOT NARDS’ Review

I think most fandom documentaries are difficult to critique. For the most part there’s a level of love involved in the creation that is undeniable and infectious, and hard to fault. André Gower’s documentary about co-writer Shane Black and co-writer/director Fred Dekker’s 1987 classic The Monster Squad is no exception to this rule…especially considering Glower was the lead character in the movie, Sean. He clearly has just as much love for the film as anyone else, and it shows. It’s also got interview bits from so many fans ranging from average people to industry folk like Seth Green, Adam F. Goldberg, Joe Lynch, Adam Green, and Chuck Russell.

In many ways, this is very comparable to the great Troll 2 doc Best Worst Movie, also directed by it’s subject’s star. They’re structurally similar in terms of delving into the history of the movie, the production, the failure-to-launch release, the resurgence, and the enduring legacy. With Alamo Drafthouse being very responsible for getting the movie back into the public eye with a reunion screening, the movie ends up chronicling the tour that cast members went on, taking the movie to Drafthouse theaters across the nation. The movie flows nicely, though I would have liked a longer slice of life portion in the back half of the movie.  

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There are a handful of things I’d never known about The Monster Squad which I found really interesting. Universal had agreed to allow them to use the monsters with their classic looks…only to then change their mind and have Stan Winston’s team create new variations. Wanted posters for the monsters were part of the marketing campaign, replete with punny crimes that included “Statutory Wrap” in the case of the Mummy (HOW??). It was released only two weeks after The Lost Boys, which are strangely similar (yet entirely different movies). It was a critical and financial loser that would take 20 years in order to gain public recognition. Lots of other tidbits included, along with Dekker’s own take on the movie that is rather heartbreaking. Three decades later, Dekker and Black co-wrote the upcoming Predator reboot, now with Black taking the helm. It’s a neat full circle aspect that the documentary doesn’t mention, but knowing that their relationship and partnership has continued after so long is amazing.

It’s interesting that there’s discussion of how fans were anxious and hungry for a DVD release of The Monster Squad while currently a bare-bones release from Olive Films is the only one readily available (in print) at the moment. I’d love for Shout/Scream Factory to get ahold of the movie and release it with Wolfman’s Got Nards included. It’s an honest love letter to a movie which was rediscovered and still somehow feels like it’s been forgotten. I’m glad this exists to remind everyone of how good the movie is, and how much it’s touched and influenced so many in 30 years time.

Aside from playing at Cinepocalypse 2018, the movie is on the festival circuit currently and to my knowledge is without distribution yet. If you’re a Monster Squad fan and get the chance to see it, don’t hesitate!