Reminiscent of the recent DVD release Blood & Chocolate and the more graphic Underworld films, Skinwalkers tells of two factions of werewolf groups at war with each other. One group—the good lycanthropes—includes half-breed 12-year-old Timothy (Matthew Knight) and his mother (Rhona Mitra of The Practice and Boston Legal), who both try to contain their bloodlust, as well as long-haired, flesheaters who ride motorcycles. Meanwhile, Timothy is destined to gain special powers on his 13th birthday that will end the creatures’ desire for flesh, but this notion doesn’t sit well with the opposing faction of monsters led by Varek (Jason Behr of Roswell).

Shelf Talk: In order to make this serious horror outing more appealing to teen audiences, the makers went the PG-13-rating route, so although the plot elements are on hand for gorier and sexier situations, the meat, so to speak, just isn’t there. This could prove disappointing to true-blue terror fans who prefer their outings bloody and with nudity, but the audience who made Blood & Chocolate, Cursed and other similar titles popular on DVD will likely do the same here. Interesting special effects work by renowned wizard Stan Winston (Aliens, Jurassic Park) also should add to the interest level. One wonders, however, where’s the unrated version?