Fright Night 3D

I am not the type of film buff who spits venom at the prospect of a remake or reboot. How can you be, good idea's and more importantly good films invite revisit's and reimaginings. After all John Carpenters The  Thing is in filmic terms a  remake  and It knowinly winks at the  Howard Hawkes original  but then returns to the source novella  and explores more horrific territory  and themes of paranoia .
     Tom Hollands original 1985 production is pure story gold who can forget Christopher Sarandon's evil, but charming Jerry Dandridge battling the nice all american boy next door. William Ragsdale wonderful all take on  Charlie Brewster who  unwittingly finds himself battling an evil he cannot possibly hope to defeat. Then there is the late great Roddy McDowall as Peter Vincent , late night horror host and reluctant vampire hunter a wonderful comedic turn.
     Its this wonderful blend of horror and laughs that only the 80's could produce.  Directed by its writer Tom Holland fresh off the back of his scripting duties on  Psycho 2. a film w far better than it deserved or had any right to be and also a skillful mix of humour, suspense and horror.
    In this  more contempary world, Colin Farrell is our vampire  and though the story retains the beats of the original there are some smart changes such as the shift of locale from old and familiar into the world of modern and sterile estates this time in Vegas.  The humour is still here, the characters are a little more  knowing than the original and David Tennants take on Peter Vincent as a hot Vegas  magician is a variation of his Doctor Who persona mixed with Russel Brand pop chic.
      Craig Gillespie directs a Marti Noxon screenplay.  If there is a  problem  its that certain elements  remind me of the Shia La Bouf starrer Disturbia in tone and content.
      Farrells Dandridge is more feral and predatory and the polar opposite of Sarandons version of  the character which is refreshing and adds a different shade to the conflict. Christopher Minz Plasse provides another humorous star turn as the tragic but funny Evil Ed,  almost eclipsing Stephen Geoffrey's turn in the original. Oh and  watch out for Christopher Sarandons cameo as an unlucky road user.
    The humour seems a little forced at times the dialogue not quite right, the special effects are well, special and its squarely aimed at the post scream generation. In short I enjoyed it as different take on a particular horror favourite. It works, I came away smiling and entertained, but the original is still tops in my book and with the recent announcment that it will make its return on Blu ray this Christmas It will graduate to the top of my christmas wish list.
     My only real criticism is the criminal under use of Toni Collette,  and a notable mention for Imogen Poots as Charlies girlfriend Amy.
   In closing I saw this in 3D and on the whole it works quite well except for the scenes where we witness events in darkened rooms mainly in the first twenty minutes. Wearing dark glasses to watch people crawling about in the dark does not make for a good 3D experience.
   So in closing an an entertaining update and a  perfect film for Halloween. I prefer the original with its broader comedy and chills but that's because  A) I love Roddy McDowalls take of Peter Vincent and B the more playfully evil take on Jerry Dandridge.