Karate, monsters make perfect mix

Brotherhood of the Wolf is an inspired and wondrously over-the-top French film sensation that expertly melds highly-stylized kung fu, monster-movie clichés and lavish period drama. Jam-packed with bone-crunching fisticuffs, scantily clad prostitutes and garish maulings via a hell-bent wolf, Brotherhood appeals to the 14-year-old boy who resides within each of us. Sadly ignored upon its stateside release this past winter, the flick is now available on DVD for more astute filmgoers.\nChristophe Gans' film is loosely based on the mythos surrounding the Beast of Gévaudan, which presupposes that a "beast" preyed on villagers in the southwestern mountains of France during the reign of Louis XV. Grégoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) and his Native-American counterpart, Mani (Mark Dacascos), are sent to Gévaudan in hopes of quelling the murderous rampage.\nBrotherhood is equal parts The Last of the Mohicans, Sleepy Hollow, Predator, From Hell, Jaws and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, all filtered through animé-tinted shades, thrown into a blender and set on purée. Gans is the French fantasy-film equivalent of Tarantino. He takes beloved elements from other filmmakers' works and infuses them into his own, to winning effect. Brotherhood of the Wolf is a pop-culture fetishist's wet dream.\nHowever, the American single-disc release leaves something to be desired. The transfer and sound mix are excellent, although viewers should avoid the English dub like syphilis. The special features are rather paltry for a flick of this caliber; they include little more than deleted scenes, cast and filmmaker bios, production notes and the film's U.S. trailer.\nThe standout of these minimal extras is undoubtedly the deleted scenes. Gans gives a brief and intelligent preamble to each cut scene (most of which pertain to sex or violence but were excised for continuity purposes). Once each scene has run its course, behind-the-scenes footage is shown and Gans continues his interesting spiel. Ardent fans of the flick would be better off ordering the stacked three-disc Canadian release of Brotherhood on Ebay. But with copies going for upwards of $35, we struggling collegiate film dorks are best off picking up a copy at someplace like Target or Circuit City for under $20. \nThose of you with a strong stomach and a penchant for harnessing your inner 14 year old should catch Brotherhood of the Wolf on DVD.