When I heard they were remaking this movie, I was like 'Meh, its a bit early. Should have waited a little longer, but I will give it a shot anyway'. The trailer made the movie look really interesting and gave off that 'Disturbia meets Blade' feeling. The advertising was pretty well organized and it sure drew me in ever closer.
After seeing it, this is a very good film.
The Original was a solid flick for its time. But for those who haven't seen it today and were to watch it, the movie would come off as cheesey. In some cases, thats why Hollywood remade it. But like I said earlier, I thought it was a bit early. But hey, that's just me.
The real big flaw in this movie is the pacing in the beginning. It is absolutely slow, excluding the bloody and suspenseful first sequence. It starts off with a teenager running away from a vampire that has violently mutilated his family members and it ends just as you expect-bloody. But then...it gets slow. Even though it accounts for about 30-40 minutes, it feels like an hour and a half of slow build up. The music doesn't help either, but thanks to great performances by Anton Yelchin and Collin Ferril, there is enough to keep you sitting in your seat rather than standing up and walking out of the theater.
Charlie Brewster is just your average high schooler, not a care in the world, girlfriend, friends, average social status, and living in Las Vegas. (Even though in the beginning you see shots of Mountains in the background only located by Albuquerque, NM). Charlie has a new neighbor, Jerry, a guy who constantly flirts with his mother, portrayed by Toni Collete. At first Jerry comes off as a likeable guy. But something's not right. Its the way he looks at Charile's mom, the way he looks at his girlfriend that sounds off the alarms. Charlie just thinks of him as the guy next door; nothing more, nothing less.
That is, until his ex-geeky friend Ed approaches him after several of their classmates don't show up for school.
Ed begs, pleads Charlie to go to over a missing friend's house and scout out the area. Charlie wants nothing part of it since he left his geek past behind him in search of that in-crowd. But he is blackmailed into going after Ed threatens to send videos of them prancing around in tights and having sword fights. Once they get inside the house, everything seems to be normal-everything in place, just that no one was home. It is here that we learn Ed is into Vampires-killing them that is. He carries around a satchel that contains crosses, holy water and severl wooden stakes. Charlie laughs. 'A vampire named Jerry?' he says. 'What kind of name is that?!' Even though his friend is highly skeptical of the matter, Ed continues to convince him. Charlie isn't swayed and clearly states to him that 'his life got better when they stopped being friends'. He leaves Ed in their 'missing' friend's house and returns home.
Once at his house, He is greeted in a creey way by Jerry, who only wants to get some beer for his 'hot date'. Charlie tells him to stay outside while he gets the beverages, but Jerry insists on coming inside. Charlie tells him no and his neighbor displays some strange behavior by quivering at the doorstep. He cannot enter without an invitation which states only one thing-Vampire. He gives Jerry what he asks, and the stranger leaves quietly.
The next day, Charlie learns of Ed's disappearance and then starts to believe what his old friend told him. He starts off on an investigation of his own-neglecting his friends and family and even his girlfriend. He goes over to Ed's house and finds out the kid was getting his information on vampires from the famous magicion Peter Vincent. There are also videos on Ed's computer of him spying on Jerry. Each of the videos do not show a single glance of Charlie's Neighbor which proves that Jerry is indeed a vampire. he goes to Peter in seek of guidence and information but is blown off when the magician calls him a freak. Charlie feels as if it is him, and him alone to take on this task. However, after Jerry destroys his house and runs Charlie, Charlies mom and girlfriend into the desert, does the teenager realize that this got a lot more serious.
Now, from that sypnosis, it does sound like a serious movie, right? But don't get me wrong-this is horror/comedy. And there are several comedic parts in this flick. For example-in desert when Jerry is about to kill Charlie, his impaled, but not killed, but a real-estate sign. He starts screaming and howling and let me tell ya-it is hilarious. When Ed apppears on screen after being missing and is a vampire-it is alos freaking hilarious. But don't worry-its intentional by the filmmakers.
The screenplay is excellent. Ferrel and Yelchin work it very well. After the forty minute drag, and the suspense kicks in, that's where the movie really gets good. It becomes an hour thrill ride of action, gore and laughs. Collin Ferril gives one of the best performances of his career. You know when an actor nails his role when he does it so well that you hate his character. I hated Jerry-I wanted him dead. But is not only Ferrel that carries the show to greatness. David Tennet (Dr. Who), who plays Peter Vincent, is spectacular as well. He's somewhat of a prick, but when he's on screen, something funny usually happens. There really wasn't a dull or bland performance in this movie.
In conclusion, Fright Night delivers the thrills, chills, and laughs expected of a horror/comedy. While the beginning is a bit slow, the rest of the movie gives your money worth. And I must say, its better than the original.
A-
a must see!
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