Quick Look: Red Riding Hood (2011)

An interesting re-telling of the folk tale/fairy tale with Amanda Seyfried playing the title role (she is called Valerie in the film).  The story takes place in a village called Daggerhorn that is on the edge of a dark forest (could it be any other way, really?) and a werewolf has terrorized the residents there for years.  They appease it by sacrificing livestock so that it will not attack humans.  This "truce" is broken one night when Valerie's sister is attacked and killed by the werewolf.  It is soon realized that the werewolf must be someone living in Daggerhorn.
Stir in the relationship elements that Valerie is in love with Peter (Shiloh Fernandez), a woodsman, but she has been betrothed by her parents to Henry (Max Irons) the son of the more-well-to-do-blacksmith in town, it makes for added tension throughout as the story unfolds.  The most interesting character of the film has to be Father Solomon (Gary Oldman), a werewolf hunter.  He has an unidentifiable European accent (I would compare it to one he used for Dracula), silver claws implanted in his fingernail beds, and he espouses the idea of providing his "protection" by any means necessary- which wins him no friends.
The major recurring theme in Red Riding Hood seems to be about having and keeping secrets from friends, family and lovers.  Even though I would note a fair amount of the acting was cheesy (if not completely over the top -thank you Gary Oldman), this dark fantasy has a nice story-come-to-life feel, and visually keeps your attention.  I would recommend this for a quick glance.  I also must note I watched the theatrical version, there is an alternate version (I believe the ending is different) that is available on DVD/Blu-Ray.