3D remake of the 1985 comedy-horror classic about a teenager who suspects his neighbour is a vampire. Stars Anton Yelchin (Charlie Bartlett) and Colin Farrell (In Bruges). From the director of Lars and the Real Girl.
Charley (Yelchin), having ditched his nerdy pal Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Fogell from Superbad), has finally cracked the cool group at school and scored a hottie (Imogen Poots, 28 Weeks Later) in the process. But when people in the neighbourhood start dying, Charley listens to Ed's theory: a vampire is responsible, and the vampire is spooky neighbour Jerry (Farrell). Unable to convince others of the truth, Charley takes it on himself to protect his friends and mum (Toni Collette, Little Miss Sunshine), and kill Jerry.
Neither a complete clanger, nor a lost classic, Tom Holland’s 1985 vampire-next-door flick is the latest inexplicable entry on Hollywood’s recycling list. Set in a Las Vegas housing estate of such crushing uniformity it could use a little vamping up, Craig Gillespie’s snazzy 3D update begins with local kids going missing from school. Charlie (Yelchin), his girlfriend, Amy (Poots), and nerdy tag-along Ed (Mintz-Plasse) suspect it’s something to do with Charlie’s neighbour, Jerry (Farrell). “That’s a terrible name for a vampire,” says Charlie sagely, but can he stop Mr Creepy from shagging his mum (Collette) – or worse?
First and foremost among Fright Night 2011’s assets are its talented players, most of them auslanders pretending to be American. Yelchin (Russian) has an engaging outsider charm, Poots (English) has balls to spare and when Mintz-Plasse takes a – literal – early bath the film really misses him. Farrell (Irish), meanwhile, enjoys himself immensely as a preening sex-pest gibbering on about how “ripe” Amy is. It’s not a scary performance (“ripe” is the word), but you definitely wouldn’t want him dating your sister.
Although the murky visuals (“The whole house looks like that show, Dark Shadows,” notes Charlie) stop the 3D scenes zinging off the screen, there’s a whizzy car chase and some well-choreographed kills – enough, in short, to complement the performances and put this among the more entertaining re-workings of recent years. Next up Puppet Master 11?
By Matt Glasby, Flicks.co.nz
Much like the original (as so many movies are remakes these days) but this was more like a cover. Same sort of theme, but basically writers/directors went their own direction. I throughly enjoyed the 3D splatter-like quality of this flick and the acting from Colin Farrell was spot on, similar to 'In Bruges' but with more attitude, however its hard to see Christopher Mintz-Plasse as anyone other than 'McLovin'. I loved David Tennat from 'Doctor Who' as well, played his part wonderfully, the man can act (maybe tad o.t.t but worked well in the sceme of things). The vampires die like most in 'Vamp Diaries' or 'True Blood' so its like the norm yet really, this featuer has good values on its own merits, few things you dont see coming, scarey bits and of cos some cliffhangers. Genre : horror, thriller, vampire 4/5 : great film, its a shame its based on another film, yet covered its horror-theme bases well (see 'Scream')
firstly i wish to thank flicks for the wonderful experience to see such a awesome and funny movie it was my sons first 3D movie had a great storyline and was hillariously funny also had its fair share of scary parts thank you flicks
Thanks to Flicks & ED of course it was Awesome to go check out this movie with my husband..I thought myself it was a re-vamp of the original.. It brought back memories as I have seen the Original about 50 times on VHS as a young teenager.Not good that some of the movie was Blurry? dont know if it was meant to be like that thou but the in 3D the blood scenes were exactly what this movie needed. Ive already recommended this to friends to go see.. Its a must see....
I've been looking forward to this film for some time as I was intrigued by the casting of Colin Farrell as a vampire. He didn't disappoint with a hilarious combination of cheesiness and menace. He was ably supported by David Tennant (so relieved to discover his character wasn't played by Russell Brand or Dave Navarro) & Anton Yelich. The 3D didn't really add much except for a few scenes of vampire destruction. I don't know if that was worth the blurriness in the rest of the film. I think as long as you don't go in expecting a horror classic, you find this a perfectly enjoyable couple of hours.
I walked into the theater with the 1985 version stuck in my head. Was the new version going to be anything like it? The answer is no, while the storyline is still the same, it was re-vamped for the modern audience, with the make-up and special effects to wow the audience in 3D, and it definately wowed me. The scare factor wasn't really in it, but yes, I would go see this movie again!
The film's greatest pleasures come from Noxon's script - which puts the sexual chaos created by Farrell's attractive bloodsucker front and center - and from the performances.
As in the earlier film, this one dances always at the edge of comedy. It especially has fun with the Rules of Vampire Behavior.
Funny and scary - and sometimes both at once - it lives up to the original, even if it fails to surpass it.
It ends up getting a surprising number of things right.
An entertaining remake of the mid-80s vampire movie that, unlike the original, hasn't got one scary moment in it.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 27th Oct 2011.
Release date: October 27th 2011.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
