One thing our American cousins do better is the Hollywood Blockbuster - and we Brits have the corner on quirky character based comedy - relatable situations etc.
Every now and again we have a go at transporting one into the other and sometimes it even pays off - albeit usually under the radar (Dog House, Severance, anyone?)
Howl comes from this school of a very British movie, a group of people who would normally not speak to each other are thrown together on a broken down train - Howl has the recipe for a heartfelt "getting to know you" movie but hey, chuck a few werewolves in there and we're talking business.
Tense and creepy with typical satirical humour, mocking social observations and the odd bit of being ripped to shreds by a howling lycanthrope - score.
Not one you'd watch over and over but one you need to watch.
6/10 Masks
