Review - Let Me In
October 15th 2010 03:46
Are you sick of vampires yet?
While I would normally say, dear god please no more damn vampire film for a while, 2008's “Let the Right One In” came as a refreshing surprise to the world. Here we had an intelligent, poignant tale about two kids dealing with something horrible. Subtly horrific and heart wrenching by the end, “Let the Right One In” is, and will always be, one of the best vampire films ever made.
Why on earth would you choose to remake that? Assuming the studio plans to milk an audience who would not typically make the effort to see a foreign film, then “Let Me In” does exactly what they set out to achieve.
But you don't need to see it.
“Let Me In” is directed by Mat Reeves, the man responsible for Cloverfield and oddly the romantic comedy, the Pallbearer. Now he's decided to turn his gaze toward remaking the swedish film, "Let The Right One In".
"Let Me In" is a film that will probably do a lot better than it should. The jaded among us might grumble about remakes and respecting originals but more people will see “Let Me In” than its far superior predecessor. Purely because of the accessible American child actors and the lack of subtitles.
Let me in is a fairly by-the-numbers retelling of the original. While the film is not bad or unwatchable, the tense or meaningful moments in the story only feel interesting because they are shot for shot lifted from the original. Save for one or two moments, what there is of the new additions feel hugely “on the nose”. Come to think of it, most of this film feels on the nose. Some of the best moments in “Let the Right One In” are unspoken, relying on the actors and the visuals to convey a message. “Let Me In” decides to forgo that for the much simpler showing and saying nearly everything.
Dumbed down, is the way to describe it. In aiming for a different audience, Mat Reeves and Hammer Productions have aimed far too low. Making the story so obvious it takes the compelling mystery entirely out of the film.
The acting from the two kids is surprisingly decent. Kodi Smit-McPhee is highly believable as hapless sociopath in the making and Chloe Moretz continues her relentless mission to play every young girl in every film this year (though she thoroughly deserves it). The most impressive roles however come in the form of Richard Jenkins and Elias Koteas, playing The Father and The Policeman respectively. The Father especially, may be one of the few improvements on the original film.
It's nice to see Hammer Horror back and with a new facelift. Hopefully “Let Me In” signals a new era of prosperity for Hammer, who have created some of the most indelible images in horror films since film began. While not off to a blinding start, it hopefully signals the return of quality horror movies to our big screens.
“Let Me In” is an enjoyable enough film, though if you've seen “Let the Right One In” there's no need to make the effort. And if you haven't seen “Let the Right One In”, what are you doing? Go rent it. I'll wait.
I sure hope not!
While I would normally say, dear god please no more damn vampire film for a while, 2008's “Let the Right One In” came as a refreshing surprise to the world. Here we had an intelligent, poignant tale about two kids dealing with something horrible. Subtly horrific and heart wrenching by the end, “Let the Right One In” is, and will always be, one of the best vampire films ever made.
Why on earth would you choose to remake that? Assuming the studio plans to milk an audience who would not typically make the effort to see a foreign film, then “Let Me In” does exactly what they set out to achieve.
But you don't need to see it.
“Let Me In” is directed by Mat Reeves, the man responsible for Cloverfield and oddly the romantic comedy, the Pallbearer. Now he's decided to turn his gaze toward remaking the swedish film, "Let The Right One In".
"Let Me In" is a film that will probably do a lot better than it should. The jaded among us might grumble about remakes and respecting originals but more people will see “Let Me In” than its far superior predecessor. Purely because of the accessible American child actors and the lack of subtitles.
Let me in is a fairly by-the-numbers retelling of the original. While the film is not bad or unwatchable, the tense or meaningful moments in the story only feel interesting because they are shot for shot lifted from the original. Save for one or two moments, what there is of the new additions feel hugely “on the nose”. Come to think of it, most of this film feels on the nose. Some of the best moments in “Let the Right One In” are unspoken, relying on the actors and the visuals to convey a message. “Let Me In” decides to forgo that for the much simpler showing and saying nearly everything.
Dumbed down, is the way to describe it. In aiming for a different audience, Mat Reeves and Hammer Productions have aimed far too low. Making the story so obvious it takes the compelling mystery entirely out of the film.
Man, you don't look so good.
The acting from the two kids is surprisingly decent. Kodi Smit-McPhee is highly believable as hapless sociopath in the making and Chloe Moretz continues her relentless mission to play every young girl in every film this year (though she thoroughly deserves it). The most impressive roles however come in the form of Richard Jenkins and Elias Koteas, playing The Father and The Policeman respectively. The Father especially, may be one of the few improvements on the original film.
It's nice to see Hammer Horror back and with a new facelift. Hopefully “Let Me In” signals a new era of prosperity for Hammer, who have created some of the most indelible images in horror films since film began. While not off to a blinding start, it hopefully signals the return of quality horror movies to our big screens.
“Let Me In” is an enjoyable enough film, though if you've seen “Let the Right One In” there's no need to make the effort. And if you haven't seen “Let the Right One In”, what are you doing? Go rent it. I'll wait.
Seriously, see it.
- Calum W Austin
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