Last week I did an article on how Horror remakes are bad, but still profitable. I did get some feedback on it (Most of it was negative to say the least). I listed my favorite movies and other movies I enjoyed along with their box office gross and it was very impressive. On Friday, August 19th, we get to experience another great movie that got remade. That movie is Fright Night in 3D.
What does this mean to movie fans? Is this something that they are going to run out and see right away? Probably so. Are they going to enjoy it? Probably not. Are fans of the original going to complain about the remake? You bet ya. Is it going to make money over the weekend? Right again. With that being said, is this going to go on the shelves as another travesty or will this movie actually be something that we will look forward to seeing this Friday and enjoy it? Only you can answer this question if you watch the film.
You are probably thinking, "How am I going to enjoy this?. It's another remake I will watch and waste my money on." Possibly, This film might be different than other remakes we watched. It's not even the middle of the week yet and we have already received a few positive reviews about the film. Matter of fact, one person gave 4/5 stars on the movie. This is a good sign for remakes! I, myself, haven't seen the original, but I am hoping to watch the new version this Friday night. (I won't watch the 3D version because I feel it's a waste of money). I will do my best to watch the original before Friday so I can compare and contrast both films. Unfortunately, I can't post a review for the film because 1). I haven't watch it and 2). Someone already beat me to the punch. From what I understand, the original has develop a big fan base and turned into a cult classic with a blend of horror and comedy that can scare the shit out of you and also have you laughing on your ass off.
The original Fright Night made in 1985 directed by Tom Holland and produced by Herb Jaffe. The cast included Chris Sarandon, Roddy McDowall and Amanda Bearse. This film was released on 8/2/1985. Who would of thought the remake would be 26 years later on the same month. Was this planned?
From what I understand the remake is basically following the original which is Charley Brewster is a huge fan of horror films, but that all changes when he discovers his new neighbor, Jerry Dandrige is a blood-sucking vampire. When he discovers this to be true, he gets everyone involve to help him such as his mom, friends, police and even a vampire hunting hero, washed up actor Peter Vincent. Charley's girlfriend, Amy Peterson hires Peter. She wants to prove a point to her boyfriend by having Peter get Jerry to drink holy water to see what the effects are. Peter eventually discovers Jerry's true nature and he runs away. Peter wants nothing to do with it anymore. Jerry found out what Peter's attentions where and turns Edward, Charley's friend, into a vampire to hunt down Peter. Jerry eventually hypnotizes and spirits away Amy to resemble his lost love (like every vampire movie). Peter does come back to his original role to help Charley destroy Jerry. Charley's faith helps him overcome Jerry. Amy is the transformation process(about ready to become a vampire). Peter is sure without a doubt it can be reversed if they kill Jerry. Peter and Charley eventually defeat Jerry and the transformation is reversed on Amy. She is normal again. The movie ends as if they will have a potential sequel, which they do in 1988 (wasn't very successful).
When the film was released in 1985, it grossed $6,118,543 on opening weekend (1,542 theaters, $3,967 average). Domestic gross was $24,922,237. It was the best horror movie of the summer that year. It was the second highest grossing horror movie of that year. Nightmare on Elm st. Part 2 beat it. The Movie won three Saturn awards (Tom Holland-Best Writing, Fright Night-Best Horror film, Roddy McDowall-Best supporting Actor, a Dario Argento Award, and a critics' award. This film still currently holds a 93% at Rotten Tomatoes.
With that being said, I am sure there will be thousands of fans who will expect high hopes for the film, so far, the reviews are positive for the remake and I hear it's a very good one.
Below are a few quotes on a review of the movie. It has nothing but positive things about the film. This was a review that was posted on horrormovies.ca(If you are a horror fan I suggest you check the site).
"The two films hit most of the same beats and both owe much to Rear Window, though young audiences are likely to see it as horror version of Disturbia. However, the update works, and this energetic and entertaining film is one of the few truly successful remakes of the past few years."
"Characters are broadly defined, but largely well played"
"Anton Yelchin hasn’t yet become quite the recognisable name that he deserves to be, but this should help, it’s not his best performance but he’s a likeable protagonist and the former nerd who’s now got an impossibly hot girlfriend is a character type that a lot of us probably aspired to in high school."
"There is a sense of fun that runs through Fright Night, and it is embodied in the performances of its two biggest name actors. Colin Farrell clearly relishes playing Jerry’s gleeful evil -- though he does make you question how, given how open he is about killing people (once doing so barely after dusk on a residential street) he has managed to avoid being identified in the past. In an early scene with Yelchin he oozes creepiness in a way that could mean ‘vampire’, or could simply suggest that Jerry’s a dick. You couldn’t accuse Farrell of being subtle (nor of having a perfect American accent), but he gets the tone of the film right with his performance. The same is true of David Tennant, who plays Peter Vincent as an alcoholic, ego-maniacal, boorish, and very funny Vegas magician. It’s a flamboyant and hugely entertaining turn, almost pantomimic in scale at times, but always good for a laugh. He may not have a great deal of screen time, but whenever he’s there Tennant owns the movie with his ridiculously entertaining (take that phrase however you like) performance."
"Fun is the operative word here. Fright Night isn’t deep, it’s not looking for Oscars, it wants to be an amusing comedy horror ride, something to distract you and your mates on a Friday night, and one those grounds it’s extremely successful."
so far, the remake seems to start out on the right foot. From what it sounds like, this might be the best remake we have seen in years or possibly ever, but I won't say that until I see the film for myself(and read other reviews of course). I'm glad to finally see a film with vampires that doesn't copy off on the whole "Twilight" audience. Ever since Twilight came out, the werewolf and vampire's movies haven't been the same to me. I started to hate those type of films after a while. I can put my hatred to the side for one night only and watch a good, decent, vampire movie. The movie probably won't win the "best movie of the year" award, but it might be on the right path to make more remakes better for our viewing pleasures. I suggest any directors who are planning to make a remake or a "reboot" start taking notes. For anyone who isn't going to see it than wait for it to come out on bluray or DVD. I'm sure it will be a good movie to buy or rent at a local redbox.