Director Christophe Gans' film is gorgeous to look at, extremely ambitious, and stylistically impressive; but small misses derail it. The film is much too long, it's weighed down by unnecessary philosophical platitudes, and the star's hair is a major distraction.

Its an ultra-violent medieval action adventure, and a French love story — this means the hero is not encumbered by faithfulness. Luckily, our star's side love is elegant prostitute Sylvia (MALENA'S Monica Bellucci).

Scientist and naturalist Gregoire de Fronsac (Samuel LeBihan) has been sent by Louis XV to a rural province to kill a wolf-like beast that has been feasting on women and children. Fronsac is accompanied by his bloodbrother Mani (Mark Dacascos), a fierce Iroquois Indian fighter. Fronsac and Mani get entangled with the savage locals, the aristocrats, the Church, the whores, and The Beast of Gévaudan. Regardless of the Beast's prolific killing and his dangerous mission, Fronsac has time to fall in love with a noblewoman, Marianne (Emilie Dequenne), and make love to Sylvia.

The leisurely pace of the film allows for the production to shine and all the sets, costumes, and locations work—except for Fronsac's mess of a hairdo. Le Bihan has the strong sex appeal of Russell Crowe: He's not cinematically pretty. Why he has a silly hairdo is incomprehensible and a big distraction for me. Dacascos, a Kung Fu specialist and champion, is captivating in his role as the silent Mani. The fight scenes are staged with ferocious skill and imagination. Gans memorably gives the rustling of leaves and the splash of water visual artistry.

As with last year's box office smash, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF is subtitled. It certainly didn't bother me and film audiences should be sophisticated enough by now to enjoy films from all countries, especially one as stylish as this. (If we were more open to foreign films we would have to endure less Hollywood remakes — like VANILLA SKY).

We at zboneman.com are excited to welcome the prolific and multi-talented writer Victoria Alexander to our staff. Critic for http://www.filmsinreview.com/ and pundit and humorist responsible for the candid and fearlessly funny "The Devil's Hammer," her column appears every Monday on fromthebalcony.com. Start off your week with a good hard laugh. It's a thrill to have her on board. Victoria Alexander answers every email and can be contacted directly at masauu@aol.com.)