FRIGHT NIGHT (2011) Reviews of comedy horror remake

  

Fright Night is a 2011 3D comedy horror film directed by Craig Gillespie. It is a remake of Tom Holland’s 1985 film of the same name.

Plot:

Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) is a teenager living in a suburb of Las Vegas, Nevada, who discovers that a new neighbour has moved in next door to him. Charley’s former friend, “Evil” Ed Lee (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), informs him that many fellow students have gone missing.

When Charley goes home after school, his mother (Toni Collette) introduces him to Jerry Dandrige (Colin Farrell), their new neighbour. Charley becomes fed up with Ed after he claims that Jerry is a vampire. On his way home, Ed is confronted by Jerry, who bites him. The next day, Charley realizes that Ed is missing and decides to investigate.

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As Jerry begins to attack more people throughout the neighbourhood, Charley sneaks into Jerry’s house and finds out that he keeps his victims in secret rooms. Charley goes to Las Vegas magician Peter Vincent (David Tennant, Doctor Who), a supposed expert on vampires…

Reviews:
“It’s smart and funny, but (unlike the original) instantly forgettable, and, crucially, not remotely frightening – even with blood and intestines spattering out in 3D.” The Guardian

It’s just flat. Most of the performances are flat, the jokes are flat, and even a lot of the action is flat. The movie just doesn’t have any energy, like everyone showed up for work every day in need of a caffeine shot. It doesn’t totally fail, but it certainly fails to shine…” The Film Reel

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“Filmmakers Craig Gillespie and Marti Noxon appear to have no interest in telling a convincing story or building suspense, and instead focus on being teen-edgy and hip. Colin Farrell hams it up in another over-the-top performance as Jerry the vampire…” I Like Horror Movies

“Perhaps the most fun is in seeing how special effects have advanced during the past 26 years. One novel little scene involves Charley’s mom (underused Toni Collette, The Sixth Sense) attempting to slay Jerry with a real estate yard sign; a squirming, writhing, contorted Jerry scrambles around in the street in a scene of grisly, nasty blend of horror and humor that the bulk of the movie lacks.” Mattywood Blu-ray disc review

YouTube reviews:

Trailer:

Release:
Fright Night had its premiere at The O2 in London on August 14, 2011, and was widely released on August 19 in Real D 3D.

Main cast and characters:
Anton Yelchin … Charley Brewster
Colin Farrell … Jerry
Toni Collette … Jane Brewster
David Tennant … Peter Vincent
Imogen Poots … Amy
Christopher Mintz-Plasse … Ed
Dave Franco … Mark
Reid Ewing … Ben Wegner
Will Denton … Adam Johnson
Sandra Vergara … Ginger
Emily Montague … Doris
Chris Sarandon … Jay Dee
Grace Gillam … Bee
Chelsea Tavares … Cara, Amy’s Friend
Lisa Loeb … Victoria
Brian Huskey … Rick
Michael Miller … Store Guy
Marya Beauvais … Mrs Granada
Kent Kirkpatrick … Teacher
Arron Shiver … Cop #1
Rick Ortega … Cop #2
Charlie Brown … Doctor
Rebekah Wiggins … Passing Nurse
Eb Lottimer … Adam’s Dad

Technical details:
1 hour 46 minutes
Aspect ratio: 1.85: 1
Audio: Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

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