Over twenty-five years ago I was fortunate enough to visit the set of Tom Holland's original Fright Night. Little did I know at the time that this entertaining vampire flick would go on to be one of my favorite films of 1985. So, when I heard that the 80's genre classic would be getting the inevitable remake, I was extremely skeptical. This despite a seemingly picture perfect cast (Anton Yelchin as Charley Brewster, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Evil Ed, and Colin Farrell as bloodsucker Jerry Dandrige). In Fright Night, a teen suspects his neighbor is a vampire after discussing a series of strange occurrences with his nerdy buddy Ed. Further research into the matter puts Charley and his girlfriend in a a tight spot.

Of the cast, it is Farrell who shines brightest. As a terrifying creature of the night, Farrell brings a fierce sexual charge and a sly, sardonic wit to the role. Sadly, this Fright Night refuses to take its time thus losing the charm and character camaraderie that made Holland's original so appealing. Look no further than the dull, uninvolving relationship between Yelchin and Imogen Poots. They're more LaBeouf/Fox than Ragsdale/Bearse and this hurts the film because it doesn't feel like anything is - if you'll pardon the pun - at stake. Also scarce are the practical make-up effects that spectacularly made up the majority of the original. They've mostly been traded in for standard CGI fare. Screenwriter Marti Noxon (a Buffy the Vampire Slayer veteran) moves the action to Las Vegas and the location adds very little to the proceedings. Also gone is the sweet natured B-movie theater host Charlie, famously bonded with in the 1985 version. In his place is a cocky magician who'd much rather stay in his hotel and drink than help Charley out of his precarious predicament. This Peter Vincent is played by the gifted Andy Tennant who would have been wise to hand the role over to Russell Brand instead, because that's who he appears to be channeling. This Fright Night was directed by Craig Gillespie (who made the outstanding Lars and the Real Girl). Seems like an odd choice, but Gillespie does the best he can with the material he's been given (and to his credit, I did enjoy a lengthy single shot sequence in which Dandrige chases Charlie and family down a desert highway). Fright Night isn't horrible (although the awful, uber dark tinted 3D might have you thinking otherwise), but file this one under the category; "Yet Another Film That Shouldn't Have Been Remade."