1986 saw the release of a vampire movie with a difference in Fright Night. Now we get the remake (or revamp or re visualisation) and i went in with a little trepidation as the first film was so much fun. Well I need not worry as this manages to out fun the Tom Holland’s original.
Charlie Brewster lives with his mother in a small community on the outskirts of Las Vegas. But strange things have been happening. Students at the local school have been disappearing leaving Charlie’s best friend Ed believing that the new man who has moved next door to Charlie is in fact a vampire. Not believing a word of it, Charlie soon notices things aren’t right with the handsome Jerry and slowly he too thinks that a creature of the night is trying to get into his home. He turns to a hack magician and paranormal expert Peter Vincent for help before things start to get out of hand.
From the moment this starts, you know that this is going to be a rollercoaster of thrills and giggles, as director Craig Gillespie doesn’t waste time but gets right into the action and then never lets you stop for breath throughout.
Colin Farrell, who proved his comedy ability in Horrible Bosses, does it again with the role of Jerry. He relishes the part and while oozing sex appeal he is also very funny too. I would say it’s the best thing that Mr Farrell has done in a long while. Anton Yelchin also makes for a very impressive Charlie, making him a very believable and likeable character and feeling for this boy who cried vampire.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse gets to play geek and creature as Ed and is loads of fun but the real star is former Doctor Who David Tennant. In a role that is miles away from the time lord, he brings some of the biggest laughs with his foul language and drunken antics. If the Doctor hasn’t already made him a star, this will make him a movie star. He steals the film from everyone.
With it’s impressive set pieces, there’s plenty for horror fans to love, enough jumps for those who like their hearts to race and laughs aplenty. Plus, this is one of the few films where the 3D actually works, as objects are thrown at the screen so the audience duck and blood flies at the screens. When the vampires explode, the sparks literally come out for you to almost hold.
Of all the films that have been out there this year, this is definitely the most fun I have had. A real fast moving, exciting film that compliments the original brilliantly. Look out too for a delightful homage to the 1986 film.
If you want a really good time in the cinema, then you could no worst than heading down and catching this…and I never thought I’d say this but try and catch the 3D version. An absolute hoot and I loved it.