Review of Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2011) by Willy K — 09 Aug 2011

Italian source material in an American setting breeds potential, culture, and flare. However, in the case of 'Dylan Dog' it breeds an unstylistic, flat, and often boring film that treads water between its standout scenes. Like the monotonic voice of its trying lead, 'Dylan Dog' is a film that never really rises while also never dipping. It is still blood; drying as we watch it. Intriguing in its nature, but underwhelming in our realisation of its state.

At the heart of this oozy mess of vampires, werewolves, and zombies lies a bumbling screenplay. For a film that attempts complexity, it turns in an overall lack of impact. It is a weaving tale with no purpose, no connection, and haphazard character growth. Our lead character begins with no purpose, his quest has little purpose, his reasoning to partake in this quest has little purpose, and he ultimately finishes the film with a sense of vapid change.

Feelings of flatness are not helped by director Kevin Monroe, who seems incapable of creating a consistent tone and exuding a new flair to a production that otherwise held the potential for much more. His cross fades, choice of narration, and retired detective reek of a trying for noir; his comedic interjections, cannon blasts from pistols, and faint electric guitars feel like a hesitation towards an Italian spaghetti-western roots. These are wonderful in concept, but under this direction they only feel like a test.