.jpeg)
Written by Marti Noxon And Tom Holland
Directed by Craig Gillespie
Charley (re Jerry): "I'm gonna end him. Or he's gonna end me. That's how it's gonna be."
A couple of years ago, I reviewed the 1985 vampire classic, Fright Night and while I'm bypassing the sequel for now (I'll get to it later in the year), I found myself drawn to seeking out thr 2011 remake.
This version took a few different steps but ultimately, it's not too different from the original version. There's a single mother named Jane Brewster (Toni Colette) and her son, Charley (Anton Yelchin). They live in a seemingly normal neighbourhood and then they get a new neighbour.
The neighbour being the mysterious Jerry Dandridge (Colin Farrell). It's not before Charley and his estranged friend Edward "Evil Ed" Lee (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) realise that Jerry's actually a vampire. It also didn't take long before Ed became one too, having come afoul of the scheming Jerry.
From that point onwards, Charley's attempts to protect his mother as well as girlfriend Amy Peterson (Imogen Poots) were something of a challenge. Charley made a powerful enemy in Jerry and the latter had no problem showing Charley how powerful he truly was.
Fortunately Charley had a reluctant ally of sorts in Las Vegas magician Peter Vincent (David Tennant). Granted, Peter didn't immediately go out of his way to be of use. Things had to happen along with past traumas resurfacing for Peter to step a notch. Oh and then there was Amy being turned into a vampire.
As you can imagine, it played out similar enough with Jerry eventually getting his comeuppance and his victims being restored. For Charley, this meant being reunited with Amy and Peter getting a new perspective.
- Other actors who popped up in this movie included Dave Franco, Will Denton and Dee Bradley Baker to name a few. Chris Sarandon also appeared.
- Peter's parents were former victims of Jerry's. I hated the Russell Brand look for the character.
- Standout music: Brian de Mercia's Blank Sabbath.
- Chronology: Present day Las Vegas, Nevada.
Fright Night (2011) might not hit the same way as it's 1985 version but it's one of the better horror remakes from the 2010s. Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell and David Tennant are on particularly good form.
Rating: 7 out of 10
