Last Updated on August 3, 2021
As predicted, we had a massive agreement from folks with the outcome of our last Original Vs. Remake. I believe that everyone except one brave (crazy?) soul knew that the original When A Stranger Calls kicks the shit out of the remake.
For today’s O vs. R, we’re taking a bite out of a fun 80’s horror classic and its fairly recent redo. All I’ve got to say is Oh, you’re so cool, Brewster! So, load up on stakes, keep some fire handy, and grab your favorite vampire slayer tv personality! Welcome to… FRIGHT NIGHT!
Story
Charley Brewster’s got a cute girlfriend, a loving mother, and a master vampire named Jerry that just moved in next door. That last one becomes quite a problem after Charley witnesses ol’ Jerry taking a bite out of someone. Fortunately, Charley gets some help in the form of Peter Vincent, an old vampire slaying actor with some helpful vamp knowledge up his sleeve.
The remake’s story is essentially the exact same as the originals. Sure, a few slight alterations are made, such as the film taking place in Vegas and Peter Vincent is some sort of dark arts stage performer. These changes aren’t bad, but still don’t bring anything incredibly better to the table.
Acting
Chris Sarandon became a legend in this film with his cool, killer portrayal of vampire Jerry Dandrige. It’s one of the best horror villain performances ever. And William Ragsdale and Roddy McDowall make a magnificent vampire hunting duo of young and old. Their chemistry is a huge part of why this movie is so much fun. We can’t forget Stephen Geoffreys’s now iconic contribution as Evil Ed.
Fortunately, the remake is loaded with top notch actors who I feel brought their A games. Colin Farrell takes on the role of vampire Jerry with suave intensity. He is fantastic. So too can be said of Anton Yelchin who makes a very believable semi-popular high school kid. David Tennant and Christopher Mintz-Plasse don’t reinvent anything, but do offer up some nice dosages of humor.
Special Effects
Ah, the power of practical. Fright Night does not disappoint in the fun gore department. And thanks to the lack of CGI technology, it is all presented gloriously in grisly old school fashion. All the stabbing, burning, and biting looks authentically icky. I truly feel that seeing actual goo oozing out of bloodsuckers is the best way to freak people out.
Oh, shit, we have CGI blood and gore. Although I will give the remake credit for going the R-rated route with it. There are some fun bursts of blood and a fantastic stabbing with a realty sign, but again, there is just too much CGI to come of as truly horrific or believable. Jerry looks like shit at the end when he goes full-on dinosaur vamp.
Intensity
Fright Night definitely delivers on the first part of its title. Thanks to Chris Sarandon and some nifty special effects, you’ll be jumping in your seat many a time. We get some great shocks the first time Jerry appears in Charley’s bedroom and when Evil Ed visits Peter Vincent’s place. The grand finale inside Jerry’s home also amps up some great intensity!
Thanks to Farrell’s game performance, we do get some nice frights out of this remade Night. Again, the CGI gore doesn’t help the intensity cause at all, but at least the blood isn’t shied away from. Evil Ed is more funny than threatening in this one as well. I’d say the most tense part of the flick is when Charley breaks into Jerry’s home near the beginning.
Hot Chicks
Amanda Bearse did indeed make for a hot, little innocent as Amy, Charley’s girl. Her sweetness is pretty good in the beginning, but once Jerry gets his fangs in her, some big time hotness comes front and center. We also get a pretty sexy blonde that becomes one of Jerry’s first undressed victims at the beginning.
Oh, Imogen Poots! Miss Poots! I can’t stop saying that name! Poots! Poots! POOTS! She’s a slender, blonde goddess with a face that kills and exudes hot! You can’t take your eyes off her. Charley is one lucky bastard! There’s also a few other good-looking ladies in the flick, but Imogen wins this Poots alone by a Poots!
POOTS!!!
Directing
Tom Holland is a master horror director who knows how to make a creepy, scary flick and mix in some excellent dark humor. Fright Night is such an enjoyable all-around experience and Holland is a big reason why. The way he so dexterously balances the thrills of Jerry’s attacks with such sharp comedy is incredible.
Craig Gillespie is no horror maestro, but that’s not to say he isn’t a fully competent director. I must admit that I pretty much enjoyed the ride he crafted with Fright’s remake. It never really dragged and infused some fun doses of humor. I also appreciated the way he handled the scene where Charley, Amy and his mother are trying to drive away from Jerry.
Fright Night (1985)
Well, I guess even a Poots isn’t enough to best the original Fright Night. Again, I admit to really enjoying the remake. It just would have taken a hell of a lot to be better than Holland’s horror classic. I kind of have a feeling that this is the obvious decision, but I also wonder what you, the AITH reader has to say. Does the remake truly lack the bite to come close or surpass the original? Kindly let me know below. And if you have any flicks you’d like to see in this column, give me a shout at [email protected].
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