Fans of the Underworld series and classic vampire noir Near Dark will find plenty to get their teeth into in this action horror from the director of Jason X.

Notable for featuring the remarkable creature designs of the much-missed special effects legend Stan Winston, Skinwalkers offers gunfights, gore and plenty of werewolf vs werewolf action.

Known in Navajo legend as Skinwalkers, werewolves walk among us, although not all have given in to the lust for human blood. One such sect, led by the valiant Jonas (Koteas), protect young Timothy Talbot (Knight), a twelve-year-old who they believe will fulfil an ancient prophecy and bring an end to the curse that afflicts them.

In opposition are a vicious pack of lycanthropes led by the ruthless Zarek (Behr), hellbent on killing Tim and preserving their bloody way of life. As Tim's mother Rachel (Mitra) learns some terrible truths about her son's heritage, she must unite with Jonas's people to protect the child and bring an end to Zarek's reign of terror.

With both sides packing shooters loaded with silver bullets, Skinwalkers has its fair share of explosive showdowns and exhilarating chases.

Best of all is the intriguing premise which sees the goodie werewolves battling their own blood lust and head baddie Behr embracing his; the internal conflict facing the hairy-palmed heroes giving an extra dimension to the usual good vs evil hokum.

Comparisons with the Underworld films are inevitable, particularly as Mitra recently starred in threequel Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. Fortunately, Skinwalkers carves out its own niche, eschewing gloomy goth visuals for a much more naturalistic look and relying on Winston's ace physical effects rather than swathes of unconvincing CGI.

As with just about every film Winston was involved with, from Jurassic Park to Predator, it's the beasts that leave the biggest impression.

Although the factory-based fight that ends the film borrows a little too liberally from another movie Winston was instrumental in creating – The Terminator – his compelling creatures never fail to carry the day.

Chris Prince