BATTLEDOGS is another B-movie from The Asylum, but for a change it's not a rip-off of a Hollywood blockbuster, at least not that I can think of. Instead it's a typical sci-fi/action/horror cross-breed, with a breed of genetic werewolves erupting across a city during a zombie-like outbreak. What plays out is intensely predictable and altogether cheesy, with actors delivering their lines with maximum gravitas which ends up being somewhat ruined by the inclusion of cartoonish CGI to depict the wolves. Where this does get interesting is in the excellent casting; aside from the wooden leads like Craig Sheffer, we get Ariana Richards (of TREMORS and JURASSIC PARK fame) alongside Wes Studi, Ernie Hudson, and Bill Duke.

An ill wildlife photographer enters an airport, unknowingly carrying a werewolf virus. After she transforms, dozens if not hundreds of people are left dead or infected. And then the military steps in.We all know the Asylum makes films for little money and uses some pretty terrible computer animation for their monsters. This is no exception. The production value seemed okay, but the wolves are just as fake as anything else they have created. Let us just get that out of the way.But really, this is better than their average story. Decent acting, a generally interesting plot -- even if it may not always make sense. And Ernie Hudson, who never disappoints. Not the best werewolf film out there, but probably also not the worst.

Battledogs (2013) ** (out of 4) The Asylum strikes back with this rather confusing mix of sci-fi and horror. An evil Lt. General (Dennis Haysbert) does battle against the good Major Hoffman (Craig Sheffer) over a woman (Ariana Richards) who was bitten by a wolf (or dog) and turns into a wolf (or dog) and goes on a rampage in NYC. With the virus spreading, Hoffman wants to try and save her for a cure but the General wants more wolves (or dogs) so that the Army can use them in wars. BATTLEDOGS is a pretty confusing picture on one major level and that's the fact that I'm really not sure what the monsters are. They act and sound like werewolves but the title refer to them as dogs. Even stranger is that throughout the film they are called wolves by some, canines by others and some call them dogs. I'm really not sure what they are but the CGI used for them makes them look decent but they're still clearly fake but this here is to be expected with such a small budget. The film on the whole doesn't work but I think it contains a few entertaining things for those who line up week after week to see what SyFy is giving us. The biggest attraction to the film is its cast members as many familiar faces from familiar films are on hand. Not only do we get Haysbert (MAJOR LEAGUE), Sheffer (A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT) and Richards (JURASSIC PARK) but there's also Wes Studi (DANCES WITH WOLVES), Kate Vernon (PRETTY IN PINK) and Ernie Hudson (GHOSTBUSTERS). Obviously the screenplay doesn't give any of them a real chance to act but I thought all of them were fine in their roles and certainly raised the material. It was also fun seeing Richards back in a film after a six year break. The CGI effects are all pretty cheap and bad but The Asylum did give us some real, practical effects, which allowed for plenty of gore. I say this after everyone of these movies but if you're expecting quality then you're not going to find it here. If you looking for cheap entertainment then this here offers a little of it.

Battledogs is your standard Saturday Night SyFy New Release, Made for TV fare. Plot development/acting average to above average for this category of film. Ditto for silly (i.e, you laugh when it's supposed to be highly dramatic or bad gore)content.What did impress me is that SyFy was willing to spend some more money on production. All locations were not shot in Vancouver/British Columbia, trying to pass itself off as one of innumerable cities/areas in the US. The 'Ward Island' scenes were filmed in Buffalo's abandoned (but now being restored) train station. A car wreck scene actually included wrecking vehicles. The identifiable New York City location were mostly all stock shots with CGI additions. However, there was one scene that really appeared to be filmed in front of the New York Stock Exchange.Bravo to SyFy for willing to up the quality of their productions.