I recently found myself running out of newer horror movies to watch, so I began revisiting some of the old-school horror flicks I loved from my youth! I was lucky enough to find most of it on Comcast's on-demand and Netflix streaming video.
One movie I had not watched in ages was the original "Fright Night" from 1985. Since I was going to see the 2011 remake starring Colin Farrell (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus), I wanted to make sure I gave myself a refresher so I could compare the two. While I never enjoy remakes as much as I do original movie versions, I have to say the "Fright Night" remake was phenomenal and well worth the 3-D price! Farrell is the quintessential bad guy and as a vamp, he is methodical and dare I say...just sexy as hell (yes I dare). David Tennant (Dr. Who) as Peter Vincent was the perfect pick as well. He brought more sarcasm and dark humor to his character than I could have ever hoped for. Ed was played by Mr. McLovin himself, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad, Kickass), and I must say I loved his portrayal of the odd, outcast better known as Evil. Rounding out the cast is Anton Yelchin (Terminator Salvation, Star Trek) as Charley Brewster, Toni Collette (The Dead Girl, The Sixth Sense) as Charley's mom Jane Brewster and Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later, V for Vendetta) as Charley's girlfriend, Amy.
There were of course differences in the remake's storyline, location and chain of events. No remake is ever exactly the same as the original, and that is honestly the way it should be. I am always a bit skeptical when going to see a remake because I feel so many of the original films shouldn't be remade or touched with a 100-foot pole. But that's of course just my opinion. There are some remakes that have been atrocious, while others have blown me away and I walk out of the theater saying, "I'm so glad they actually did that." "Fright Night" was one that I am happy to say was a positive remake experience, and one that won't disappoint even the most skeptical movie or horror critic. The entire cast was well selected and I liked the new location setting of Vegas too. How out in the middle of nowhere can you get!? From an aerial view, it looked like nothing else was around them except the bright lights of the big city several miles in the distance. Any vamp that would set up in this desolate neighborhood could pull off the perfect killing spree.
I don't like to reveal spoilers when I write about movies so I'll refrain from giving away too much info. Just know there are a few twists you probably won't see coming and I don't ever feel that's a bad thing when watching a movie - especially one in the horror genre. Those little surprise tidbits always keeps you on your toes, or in this case on the edge of your seat. I won't say "Fright Night" is a must-see - if you can get to it while it's still in theaters, then I say go. If you are not able to and wait for it to release on DVD or Blu-Ray, definitely rent it, because it is well worth your time to give it a watch.
Movie Title: Fright Night 3-D
Tagline(s): "You can't run from evil when it lives next door."
Genre: Horror/Comedy
Directed By: Craig Gillespie
Written By: Marti Noxon (screenplay), Tom Holland (story)
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Toni Collette, David Tennant, Imogen Poots, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Rated: R
Original Release Date: 19 August 2011 (USA)
Studio(s): Albuquerque Studios, DreamWorks SKG, Gaeta / Rosenzweig Films, Michael De Luca Productions, Reliance Big Entertainment (as Dreamworks)
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