Starring: Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Toni Collette, and David Tennant
Directed By: Craig Gillespie
Screenplay By: Marti Noxon
Based on the film “Fright Night” Written By: Tom Holland
Produced By: Michael De Luca and Alison Rosenzweig
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/DreamWorks SKG
Rating: R
Running Time: Approximately 106 minutes
Website: www.welcometofrightnight.com
Budget: $17 million
Genre: Comedy/Horror
Release Date: August 19, 2011
Long before Twilight’s Edward Cullen there was Jerry Dandrige, the charismatic vampire so memorably played by character actor Chris Sarandon (Susan Sarandon’s ex) in the 1985 cult classic horror/comedy Fright Night, co-starring William Ragsdale, the late-Roddy McDowall, and Amanda Bearse.
Colin Farrell assumes Sarandon’s (watch out for his cameo) role in the mostly-faithful 2011 remake, delivering a salacious, tongue-in-cheek turn as the frisky centuries-old vampire on the prowl for fresh blood. Following his movie-stealing cameo appearance in the uneven dark comedy Horrible Bosses from earlier this summer, Farrell proves yet again (for those foolish enough to have forgotten) that he’s far more than a pretty face. He’s one of the finest actors of his generation.
Directed by Craig Gillespie (who helmed the underrated comic gem, Lars and the Real Girl, starring Ryan Gosling), and scripted by Marti Noxon, this remake works in large part due to the persuasive talents of its main cast as well as Gillespie keeping the film loose and involving. Whether you’ve seen the original or not, the remake works in and of itself.
Jerry (Farrell) moves in next door to former-geek-turned-high-school-hipster Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) and his attractive, single mom Jane (Emmy winner Toni Collette, formerly of Showtime’s “United States of Tara”) in a tract housing development just outside of Las Vegas. Jane’s smitten, which obliges her protective son to issue her a cease and desist. Speaking of smitten, Jerry flirts with every babe in the ‘burb, and none of them seem to be immune from his charms, including Charley’s hot new girlfriend (Imogen Poots).
When members of the student body start disappearing without a trace, über-nerd Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse of Superbad and Role Models) tells his tolerant, yet increasingly-standoffish best friend Charley that Jerry is a vampire, to which he scoffs, “That’s a terrible vampire name! Jerry!” But Ed’s certainty is soon validated when a doubtful Charley does some investigating and happens upon some of Jerry’s extracurricular activities.
Writer Noxon knows a thing or two about vampire culture as she was a writer and producer on the cult television series “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” and it’s well-received spinoff “Angel.” The film is aware of its place in the zeitgeist. Thanks to the popularity of HBO’s “True Blood” and the “Twilight” books and films, vampires are big business again.
Besides Farrell, the other cast standout is David Tennant (TV’s “Doctor Who”), who assumes the late-Roddy McDowall’s role as the actor-turned-vampire slayer Charley enlists to kill Jerry. The character has been re-imagined here as a Criss Angel-like Vegas magician who’s seen better days on the Strip.
As was the case with the original film written and directed by Tom Holland, this Fright Night offsets its horror and gore with humor; however, the completely unnecessary 3-D makes every blood spurt and bone break, pop. The truly weak of heart would be better checking this out in 2-D.
Whatever format you choose to see it in, the main attraction is Farrell. Upon leaving a screening of the film, I overheard three teenage girls discussing it, and one said, to the enthusiastic approval of her two BFFs, “I love Twilight and all, but gurrrl, Bella can keep Edward! Jerry can stake his claim on me anytime!”
3 Stars
