by Mike Imboden
Normally here at “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict”, both Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. However, here and there they will be taking the reins in a solo outing. For this installment, it’s Mike with a solo review of Second Sight’s definitive special edition of the Ginger Snaps trilogy of werewolf films, The Ginger Snaps Trilogy Limited Edition.
SYNOPSIS
In the realm of horror cinema, the Ginger Snaps trilogy stands as a unique trilogy that not only delivers chilling scares but also delves into themes of sisterhood, identity, and the transformative power of adolescence. While each installment offers its own distinct style and perspective, the trilogy as a whole is a fairly cohesive narrative that does an admirable job of trying to elevate the werewolf genre beyond mere bloodletting and monster tropes.
THE GOOD
The first film, Ginger Snaps (2000), introduces us to Ginger and Brigitte Fitzgerald, two inseparable sisters navigating the complexities of teenage life in suburban Toronto. Their bond is put to the ultimate test when Ginger is bitten by a mysterious creature, unleashing a terrifying transformation that threatens to tear them apart. As Ginger's body and behavior become increasingly monstrous, Brigitte grapples with the realization that her sister is no longer human. Ginger Snaps has a darkly comedic side to it, but is mostly concerned with providing a thought-provoking exploration of female adolescence using the werewolf mythos to metaphorically represent the physical and emotional changes that girls experience during puberty. Ginger's transformation into a werewolf mirrors her own struggles with her identity, while Brigitte's devotion to her sister highlights the enduring power of sisterhood.
The sequel, Ginger Snaps Unleashed (2004), plunges us deeper into the sisters' lives as they cope with the aftermath of Ginger's transformation. Ginger now fully embraces her werewolf self, reveling in the power and freedom from societal expectations. Brigitte, on the other hand, is haunted by the loss of her and struggles to accept this new version of Ginger. Ramping up the horror elements from the original film, this delivers a more visceral and action-packed experience - however, it also maintains the trilogy's focus on character development and the exploration of complex relationships, expanding into issues like duality, acceptance, and the consequences of unchecked desires.
The final installment, Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004), takes the viewer on a prequel journey that unspools prior to the events of the first two films, revealing the origins of the sisters' curse and the tragic events that set the stage for their transformations. We witness Ginger and Brigitte's childhood friendship and the fateful encounter that will forever alter their lives, offering a fresh perspective on the trilogy's central themes, in addition to exploring the power of destiny, the inevitability of change, and the enduring impact of childhood experiences. Unlike some trilogies, this provides a fairly satisfying conclusion as the sisters' story comes full circle.
The trilogy's exploration of female identity and the complexities of adolescence is arguably the most important element that sets it apart from other, more traditional werewolf films. The sisters' transformations are not merely physical; they also represent their struggles with societal expectations, self-acceptance, and the fear of losing their individuality.
THE BAD
There’s probably more than enough films to qualify the exploration of the complexities of adolescence through a darkly supernatural lens as a sub-genre all of its own. And if that’s true, then the Ginger Snaps trilogy stands out as a particularly polarizing entry. While some clearly hail it as a bold and original take on the werewolf mythos, others may easily dismiss it as a gratuitous and exploitative exercise in teenage angst. Despite its initial promise, these films ultimately fall short due to underdeveloped and largely unsympathetic characters. Brigitte, the initially more conventional sister, descends into a state of animalistic savagery that is never fully explored or explained. Ginger, the more rebellious and outspoken sister, is initially portrayed as a strong and independent character, but her actions become increasingly self-serving and destructive as the trilogy progresses.
Ginger Snaps undoubtedly explores themes of sisterhood, adolescence, and the nature of good and evil, however the narrative itself often strays into being a bit convoluted and unsatisfying. It’s also not the most original idea ever with the films' central conceit of werewolves as a metaphor for teenage angst having been explored countless times before (perhaps most notable being 1957’s I Was a Teenage Werewolf starring the late Michael Landon) with attempts to subvert genre expectations that sometimes fall flat that ends up resulting in a story that may feel derivative and uninspired.
While the Ginger Snaps trilogy does have moments of dark humor and visual inventiveness, it ultimately fails to deliver a compelling or satisfying cinematic experience due to its convoluted narrative that overshadows the films' exploration of complex themes of adolescence and transformation. The pacing can be inconsistent, occasionally dragging in some sections and rushing through others, and the dialogue has a tendency to veer into melodrama at times, particularly in the sequels.
THE VERDICT
Amidst the vast realm of teen horror films, the Ginger Snaps trilogy stands out as a unique and captivating saga that delves into the complexities of adolescence, sisterhood, and the darker aspects of human nature.
While the trilogy's strengths lie in its unconventional approach to werewolf mythology, its unflinching portrayal of female sexuality, and its exploration of profound themes, it also faces some challenges in its inconsistent pacing, occasional melodramatic dialogue, and the uneven quality of the sequels.
The discs themselves are not newly mastered but appear to be the same as with the US Shout! Factory release, or some of the German/Australian trilogy box-sets that have been on sale in the past. The lure of this set, however, goes beyond a sharper image (although, shoot, these still look quite nice), and even past the bloody red and striking black packaging, It’s all about the extras, baby. While even some of them seem to be extras seen on previous releases, the sheer number of them and having them all in one place are just about worth the price of admission alone.
Ginger Snaps
Directed By: John Fawcett
Written By: Karen Walton
Starring: Emily Perkins, Katharine Isabelle, Kris Lemche and Mimi Rogers
Run Time: 108 min
Release Date: 2000
Extras:
- New audio commentary by Mary Beth McAndrews and Terry Mesnard
- Audio commentary with director John Fawcett
- Audio commentary with writer Karen Walton
- Canadian Uncanny: Stacey Abbott on Ginger Snaps
- A Blood Red Moon: a new interview with director John Fawcett
- What Are You Wereing?: a new interview with producer Steve Hoban
- The Art of Horror: a new interview with Storyboard Artist Vincenzo Natali
- Ginger Snaps: Blood, Teeth and Fur
- Growing Pains: Puberty in Horror Films
- The Making of Ginger Snaps
- Cast Auditions and Rehearsals
- Deleted scenes with optional director and writer commentaries
- Production design work
- Creation of the Beast
- Trailers and TV Spots
Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed
Director By: Brett Sullivan
Written By: Megan Martin
Starring: Emily Perkins, Tatiana Maslany, Eric Johnson and Katharine Isabelle
Run Time: 94 min
Release Date: 2004
Extras:
- Audio commentary with director Brett Sullivan
- Girl, Interrupted: a new interview with director Brett Sullivan
- The Bloody Lunar Cycle: a new interview with writer Megan Martin
- Behind the Scenes
- Deleted scenes with optional director commentary
- Audition tapes
- Storyboards
Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning
Director By: Grant Harvey
Written By: Stephen Massicotte and Christina Ray
Starring: Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle
Run Time: 94 min
Release Date: 2004
Extras:
- Audio commentary with director Grant Harvey
- Snap!: A new interview with director Grant Harvey
- Girls on Film: a new interview with producer Paula Devonshire
- The Making of Ginger Snaps Back
- Deleted scenes with optional director commentary
- Grant Harvey’s Video Diaries
Everything is presented in a nice, solid slipcase with artwork by Michael Dunbabin and includes 5 collectors' art cards along with a tremendous 112-page book with essays by Meredith Borders of Birth.Movies.Death., horror writer Kat Hughes, writer Dr. Rachel Knightley, Dr. Mikel J Koven, a professor of film studies, fashion historian, and writer Jolene Richardson, film journalist Zoë Rose Smith, and writer/filmmaker Caelum Vatnsdal.
The Ginger Snaps Trilogy Limited Edition Blu-ray, from Second Sight, is available from multiple online and physical retail locations.
