Directed by John Fawcett

Werewolves sure get their grooves on.

A horror movie that doubles as a teen coming-of-age movie (or perhaps vice versa?), GINGER SNAPS is the next in a long line of horror movies whose gore and gristle serve as extended metaphors to the theme of young women coming into their own sexuality. Think CAT PEOPLE (but better) or CARRIE (but, y'know, that's a whole other league).

The good news here is that there's no Sarah Michelle Gellars or Jennifer Love Hewitts in this movie. While the flick does have its share of cute asses for you neanderthals, what it really has is a duo of gloomy goth chicks whose contempt for society will be the perfect fix for all you Hot Topic kids who hate the world.

-SPOILERS-

The plot centers on two goth sisters (played by Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins) who are obsessed with death and a girlish suicide pact that will keep them from ever integrating into their high school's mainstream society of jocks and pop tarts.

Oh, and there's a werewolf loose in the town.

Isabelle plays the hot sister, Ginger, who snaps after the werewolf takes a big ol' bite out of her ass. Post-werewolf bite, Ginger simultaneously hits puberty and starts turning into a werewolf. She becomes popular and slutty, a la a female TEEN WOLF, and dissociates from nerdy, awkward sister Brigitte (played by Perkins). Like a battered wife, the more Brigitte is abused by Ginger, the more protective she becomes, even covering up for Ginger's violent outbursts.

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GINGER SNAPS is not a traditional werewolf movie, and bears more in common with HEATHERS than THE HOWLING. Don't rent it if you're looking for a scary movie. It's more of an alienated kids movie.

The werewolf effects are alright if you go for that shit, but I've never seen a werewolf transformation that's had me particularly enthused. GINGER SNAPS features the human turning into full-on wolf approach, which is a pet peeve of mine. I personally prefer them to just get real hairy Lon Chaney Jr.-style, but maybe that's cuz I have a thing for hairy guys like Ryan-O.

The DVD is sparse on features, but that's probably because this movie had a tough time reaching its audience, especially since it went into pre-production around the same time as the Columbine shootings. Although it did well in Canada and in the UK, it went pretty much overlooked here in the States.

In its homeland of Canada, GINGER SNAPS has already spawned a theatrically released sequel and there's even a third installment in production now. I think the reason it hasn't really crossed over too much to the US is because the concept of Canucks turning into werewolves is perceived as a threat to homeland security... after all, those borders are pretty porous up there (despite the fact that I've personally been kicked out of Canada twice).

Anyhow, go get this. It's got a great sort of subversive feminist theme for all you chicks who've got something to prove. I'm sure Betty would love it if she'd pull her head out from between Goober's legs for a second. Sheesh.

Dirt Cheap DVD alert: Ginger Snaps $7.39
(Click Here for DVD's Technical Specs)

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