Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Fang feast

“Fright Night” is an enjoyable remake of the campy horror classic, updated quite nicely and a fun breather from the more “serious” monster flicks. Anton Yelchin is the new Charlie Brewster, a former geek dating the hot girl (Imogen Poots), and a witness to the bloody feeding frenzy of his vampire neighbor (Colin Farrell).

Like the original, this new version by Craig Gillespie is pretty simple and predictable, but the revived boy-versus-vampire yarn amuses. It’s still funny at the right parts, the humor given a more contemporary spin by screenwriter Marti Noxon, who used to write for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” There are pacing and editing flaws, however; awkward pauses and unnecessarily prolonged moments drain the suspense out of a few scenes.

It’s an impressive cast, despite the less-than-complex roles. Cristopher Mintz-Plasse plays Charlie’s vampire-hunting friend Ed; Toni Collette tones it down but is still good as Charlie’s doubting single mother. David Tennant, fan-favorite former Doctor Who, expressively plays Peter Vincent, now an ill-mannered Las Vegas illusionist and a reluctant participant in Charlie Brewster’s war.

“Fright Night” opens today in Metro Manila.

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