As a huge fan of the original, I can admit I was not willing to give this much of a chance. First off, Fright Night was one of my favorite horror movies growing up. The movie itself just seemed like an 80s movie and that's where it should stay. I don't like modernizing films that are there for the period. I never do. The first trailer was released and it looked like crap. I shamelessly entered a competition Fright Night was holding to go to Comic Con (I should have won it but I was robbed). Anyway, I saw the film...for free. I refused to pay for it. What happens after I left the theater seems to be of heated debate. I recollect saying 'It was a little bit better than I expected but that doesn't say much'. My one friend flat out said I liked it. Trust me folks, "I liked it" and "Fright Night remake" will never come out of my mouth. I will say that I thought I was going to hate Colin Farrell, who plays Jerry, and have a indifferent view on Charlie (Yelchin). I was surprised to not really mind Farrell's version of Jerry, although nothing in comparison to the original, and despised Yelchin as Charlie. Charlie and Amy are supposed to be the boy/girl next door. I never got that feeling especially when Charlie feels no remorse breaking into someone's house. It doesn't seem to me something the original character would do. Likewise, Amy doesn't look like the girl next door, but instead looks like she should be a character in the Friday the 13th films. There's absolutely no emotional attachment to that character whatsoever.
So Jerry hits the town of Las Vegas to prey on humans. It's up to a few of our characters to stop him including Ed (Mintz-Plasse). His name is not evil ed like in the original (a change for the worst). You have certain lines that Evil Ed would never say. Without giving anything away, I disliked the character 110%. In the original when Evil Ed is bit there is a certain emotional attachment that goes with that scene, and well, suffice it say, you're not going to find anything like that in this film. There's one decent thing about this movie and that's Jerry chasing a car.
And then there's Peter Vincent. I don't even care if I spoil this film anymore because this aggravated me unlike any movie I've seen this year. My one friend made a night comment to me when giving me his critique. How many people that liked this movie do you think actually know how the name Peter Vincent came to be? I'm assuming not very many. I agree with him. What makes it work in the first is Peter Vincent was a horror host that hunted vampires. Peter Vincent was not Criss Angel as this film would have you believe. " I'm a great date. Get me drunk, and I'll try anything.". Come on, really? I was going to go D+ as a good movie, but for Roddy McDowell and respect for his character, I'm purposely lowering it to a D
Good Film: D
Enjoyable Film: C-
IN COMPARISON TO FRIGHT NIGHT (1985)
Good Film: C-
Enjoyable Film: B+
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