Oh, look: another Colin Farrell remake that deserves a whole lot more attention than it originally garnered upon release - this time with the 2011 version of Fright Night. Fright Night was lambasted on its announcement purely on the basis that it's a remake. People seemed less willing to give it a go, too, because it stars Colin Farrell. Now, Farrell is a capable actor and - like this remake - he's a bit underrated. That said, there's something about him that means his films almost always flop. You can't argue with the statistics. Anyway: Fright Night, based on the cult film of the same name about a couple of teenagers who suspect their next door neighbour is a vampire, is (despite what the naysayers will tell you) loads and loads of fun; an unabashed '80s throwback with a simple agenda: to give you a good time. Not to mention that Farrell, playing a vampire, is great in the lead role. Granted, the CGI is a bit dodgy at times and there are a few questionable moments scattered throughout, but for what it's worth this is a really entertaining little remake. It's not like it tried to be anything other than exactly that, after all, and it should be judged on those terms and those terms alone. Also: David Tennant and Christopher Mintz-Plasse!
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
