Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!
Plot Summary: A werewolf travels across the country seeking revenge against his maker.
Review: While "Howling VI" is generally one of the better films in the franchise, it simply has too many holes to overlook. Sure, part 5's plot was Swiss cheese at various parts, but a lot of those problems can be explained away through in-film inferences. Here, there's virtually no conceivable way to address the problems without making shit up. On the other hand, the story tries to invoke classic werewolf lore accompanied with the introduction of a cool-looking vampire. The freak show aspect also serves as an interesting novelty to the series. Had they only stopped while they were ahead this could have easily been on part 5's level. I don't know...maybe the flaws had something to do with this being made in the dreaded early '90s.
The main guy, Ian, is tracking a traveling freak show run by a guy named Harker, played by, the always villainous, Bruce Payne. Ian manages to pick up work in a shitty town as he masks the fact that he's a werewolf. Right from the onset, the problems begin as Ian is a traditional werewolf in the fact that the full moon triggers his transformation uncontrollably. I typically wouldn't have a problem with this notion, but they just had to throw in the werewolf from part 5, Mary Lou, in a small cameo! That means we are still technically dealing with the same universe of werewolves as always who can transform at will; making matters worse, the werewolf design is horrendous. This cameo does help us conclude that perhaps Mary Lou was looking for a mate in part 5. Still...they wasted an opportunity to expand upon the storyline.
Anyway, wherever Harker goes, people end up dead which once included Ian's family. Again, things make no sense as Ian claims Harker turned him into a werewolf yet we learn Harker is really a vampire. Uh...how is that possible? Keep in mind I'm stretching to the heavens with this theory, but what if Harker was the one killing off the parents of those cursed from part 5? Since the cursed descendants had the potential to be werewolves, maybe Ian being bitten by a vampire caused this abnormality of a werewolf form. This theory wouldn't explain why Ian follows the typical lunar cycle bullshit, but it would address how Harker can use a crystal and a chant that forces Ian to transform when the moon is not full. Harker clearly knows about werewolves, Mary Lou did show up, and Ian's back story does match that of the cursed descendants. I suppose you could make up a flow of events that explains most of it away.
By the end, one of Ian's friends at the freak show helps Ian transform in order to fight Harker. This was questionable since Ian as a werewolf couldn't even break shackles, yet, Harker could flip a truck with one hand, take multiple shotgun shells to the chest without flinching, and move so fast it was like teleporting. Yeah...goodnight Ian. I am glad that they made vampires extremely powerful, but Harker is killed extremely easy as they realize it's daylight all of a sudden. Funny, I was thinking it was closer to midnight when the final showdown occurred but whatever. Harker appears to just keel over dead the moment sunlight hits him and turns to dust. With that said, I did enjoy all the nods to "Dracula" they included.
Despite the holes, I still think this was a decent entry that is actually worth watching--independently of the Howling franchise if need be. Similarly to part 5, this can stand on its own, but you do have more plot holes from that perspective. The take on the werewolf and vampire felt reminiscent of Universal's take on the creatures which was a nice touch. The story is surprisingly engaging and evenly paced as part 5 was. Although I would have preferred a direct continuation of part 5, this was still a decent entry in the grand scheme of the franchise. In fact, considering what little they had to work with, part 5 and 6 turned out remarkably well. As for part 7 on the other hand...
Notable Moment: When Mary Lou appears at the freak show. They could have made so much more of that plot line in the right hands.
Final Rating: 5.5/10
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