Fright Night (2011) –review

Is it really hard to hate characters like Evil Ed in the original 1985 movie when they act like THIS?!

Ooh cross burning.  That doesn't look good to the neighbors.

            I am one of the few folks I know that is both a huge horror fan and not a big fan of the original “Fright Night” from 1985.  It’s not that it’s an awful movie.  It’s campy and fun sometimes. The acting is shit, and the character’s are completely unlikable save for Peter Vincent played by Roddy McDowall and the vampire Jerry played by Chris Sarandon.  A remake was not necessary given what they were working with.

A la peanut butter sandwiches!

            All you need to know is high school lad, Charlie lives with his mother in Las Vegas.  A vampire named Jerry moves next door and murders begin.  Charlie figures this out when his ex-friend Ed turns up missing.   Will Charlie be able to stop this Vampire menace or will he, his mother and his girlfriend end up part of Jerry’s unending quest for blood?  

Go ahead. Make my day.

With a simple plot like that they make a movie that is fantastic.  It has action, horror, suspense, some great humor and a decent cast that can act.  The plot is somewhat changed from the original in a good way.  The characters have decent dialogue that actually makes you give a crap about them.  Ed is not a joke but more a tragic character and a threat.  Charlie, played by Anton Yelchin, works well playing off the others characters like his mother, Toni Collette, his girlfriend Amy, played by Imogen Poots and David Tennant the Chris Angel clone version of Peter Vincent. 

            The effects are great.  The action is really bold.  I think they did a really great job with this movie.  Collin Ferrell is in top form and is absolutely what you would expect a vampire who has lived a long time and has little to fear to act.  He is a smooth criminal and it shows.  Personally, I think this version is better than the original.  You are less likely to laugh from the cheese factor and more from the clever dialogue in this version. 

You've got red on you.

            Sometimes a remake can be better than the original.  “The Thing” is one of my favorite movies and it is much better than the original in my opinion.  I like that Chris Sarandon had a cameo in this movie.  That was added an element of class.  So see this movie.  It’s a good one.  Happy watching.