This movie might be the very definition of the phrase "guilty pleasure", it's really not a very good movie at all, but it's inventive, fun and original.

What makes this movie stand out is just how original and unique it really is. The plot is actually fairly interesting. An evil sideshow master kidnaps a werewolf to put him on display. Not terribly complex, but, like I said, it's unique. Even the werewolf design is unique. You can tell they did the werewolf FX on the cheap, but they did the best with what they had, and created something different than any other werewolf I've seen in film.

The originality doesn't stop there, either. You know vampires? Yeah, well guess what? They're purple. That's right, purple. At least in this flick they are. See! what other movie has purple a purple vampire fighting a werewolf at a freakshow? None, that's what other movie!

Another thing that makes this flick worth while is Bruce Payne, here tackling the unfamiliar territory of "bad guy". He puts on an entertaining performance and delivers some great lines. Payne is a very underrated actor, he always manages to create something worthwhile even if he's in a terrible movie.

Anyway, this isn't a great movie, the dialog can be trite, most of the acting is embarrassing, ect., ect., but it's really unlike any movie ever made before, or at least any werewolf movie made before (or sense for that matter) and is a pretty fun time. Buy the double disc with The Howling V, these are the only two worthwhile Howling sequels, unless you like tits, werewolf orgies and Christopher Lee, then watch part 2 as well. Or if you like kangaroo werewolves, werewolves dressed as nuns, Australia, Australian accents, and movies that make you feel like you're on acid AND shrooms as the same time, then check out part 3. Or if you like movies that suck and are terrible watch 7 and 4. Am I missing any?