FRIGHT NIGHT Movie Review
Jerry the vampire is back in this remake of the 1985 cult classic FRIGHT NIGHT. Colin Farrell plays Jerry, the new next door neighbor that moves into the vacant house next to teenager Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin from Star Trek). At first Charley doesn’t listen to the warnings of any of his friends, but soon realizes that all the rumors are true. With the help of a famous illusionist (who happens to specialize in vampire slaying) played by David Tennant, Charley rushes to save his neighborhood from Jerry before he can turn everyone he cares about into a blood sucking immortals.
So what did I think about Fright Night? I know other reviews have been mixed, but I freaking LOVED it. While Fright Night wasn’t a “remake” of the 1985 version it did follow the same basic story; and certain scenes (I can think of two) were almost identical to the original. I have to say that despite the differences, everything that was changed worked!
Yelchin was perfect as the awkward Charley. He was adorably innocent, and while you wanted to pretty much kill him for ditching his best friends in the beginning of the film, he grows on you by the end.
Colin Farrell is… well, I’m a girl so I have to say this… STUNNING as Jerry. Going off of looks alone, he hits the vampire role out of the park. Acting wise, he does alright. Fright Night is really about stellar acting performances, it’s more about the campy feel that the movie inspires.
Tennant was by far, hands down, my favorite part of the film. As Peter Vincent, the person that Charley goes to for help on how to kill Jerry, Tennant was hilarious. He’s a drunk, a vampire Lestat wannabe as far as clothes, but offers the most amazing comic relief that I found it hard to not laugh out loud and disturb the other people in the theater.
One of the major differences of Fright Night was that Jerry the vampire? He was SCARY. There was no overly sensual seduction between Jerry and his victims, and he didn’t just have a part of fangs that lowered when he fed. Nope, this vampire does NOT mess around. The scares were fun and did what they were supposed to do – made you jump in your seat.
Overall, I think Fright Night was a fun watch. It didn’t pretend to be anything that it wasn’t. If you’re a fan of the cult classics, go take a look at the new Fright Night.
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