You assume a movie about lycanthropic hyenas would hold special focus on the CGI, but director Weston doesn't do much to convince us this concept has materialized on-screen. To save money we're not given much of a glimpse at the hyenas and most of the film is spent with Briggs and Gannon, chatting back and forth about legends and mythos and lore, all the while his child could very well be served up on a snack platter by the time these men decide to stand up and take an active role in stopping the tribe. I'm still not sure why Mesach Taylor's character has to break the fourth wall in this film but lo and behold it's one of the many signs that screenwriter Eric Weston had little grasp on his concept. And the actors reflect as much enthusiasm for the material as a community theater as Mandylor looks bored throughout most of his performance (he barely cracks a tear at the sight of his mangled wife), and Taylor can barely deliver a line of dialogue without fumbling drunkenly. The only highlight is Christa Campbell who is about as sexy as all get out and looks damn good as the alpha babe of the Hyena tribe. It's just a shame the rest of the movie can't hold up to her efforts to depict a reasonable villainess that can give likable characters a tough time.

In spite of the devilishly sexy Christa Campbell, "Hyenas" is mostly a wasted original concept with wasted CGI, and even worse supporting characters. Anyone expecting a twist on the werewolf sub-genre will be severely disappointed with what is basically a ho hum generic shelf filler.