Your review is pure bulls-eye! I felt that there was wasted opportunities in the remake and that I liked the film, but not enough to fall in love with it. The original would always be the best.
Your commentary was spot - on ..it was the kind of movie that you watch once and would forget about 10 secs. later ... which is what I did ! ... Two be honest I felt cheated ... I was cheated ... and if I want my Fright Night fix ... I would have to go with the 1985 Fright Night ... I really think they dropped the ball with this one ... and please ! ... know sequels !
I saw the remake before seeing the original. I prefer the original, that's rare because I usually connect to the version I see first. I liked the remake but I didn't think it was anything special, apart from a few standout moments. I watched the original thinking I wouldn't like it much. But I love it, for the reasons you said.
Haven't seen either version of 'Fright Night', which is amazing because Roddy McDowell is one of my favourite actors. The original was well reviewed in Europe. From what I know of it, it does seem like a very tricky film to remake and I thought the remake would always be on a hiding to nothing. Love how McDowell is made to resemble Peter Cushing in the old movie footage.
Great review as always. The problem I have with remakes though is that if it doesn't live up to the original then what is the point of it's existence. The original grew a loyal cult following over time, but I think this film will be quickly forgotten like most of the other horror remakes.
It looks like I may as well jump on the bandwagon with requests as well. How about the three different versions of The Thing. Haven't seen the latest yet but I loved Carpener's vision of how it should be told. Keep up the entertaining vids.
I've been getting a lot of good suggestions for future Recons on remakes. The Thing is one I was thinking about. I haven't seen this new one yet, although I thought I heard it's technically meant to be a prequel, even tho when I saw the trailer for it it looked to be pretty much a remake to me...
@HaphazardStuff How about instead of the 1982 & 2011 'The Thing', instead comparing the 1957 'The Thing From Another World' with Carpenter's 1982 remake. I realise there may not be as much modern viewer interest in this alternate review, but I do think that it would be interesting to compare radically different horror and storytelling techniques as a commentary on where movies have evolved (or devolved). The Thing 2011 is a redundant remake cash-in anyway.
What did you think of FRIGHT NIGHT 2? I think it's pretty decent-- No where near as good as the first, but not bad as sequels go, and I enjoyed the variety of vampire minions.
I feel about the same, when I had first heard that this was getting remade and Disney was involved I was worried.At least the remake was watchable. What did you think of the remake of the crazies?
Your review is pure bulls-eye! I felt that there was wasted opportunities in the remake and that I liked the film, but not enough to fall in love with it. The original would always be the best.
whatuswattingat 4 weeks ago
Not to be a whiner, but when can we expect Casino Royale?
HOOAH13579 1 month ago
Your commentary was spot - on ..it was the kind of movie that you watch once and would forget about 10 secs. later ... which is what I did ! ... Two be honest I felt cheated ... I was cheated ... and if I want my Fright Night fix ... I would have to go with the 1985 Fright Night ... I really think they dropped the ball with this one ... and please ! ... know sequels !
Itchieban1 1 month ago
I saw the remake before seeing the original. I prefer the original, that's rare because I usually connect to the version I see first. I liked the remake but I didn't think it was anything special, apart from a few standout moments. I watched the original thinking I wouldn't like it much. But I love it, for the reasons you said.
Dparish24 1 month ago
can you do a remake thing on psycho?
DwRockett 1 month ago
Haven't seen either version of 'Fright Night', which is amazing because Roddy McDowell is one of my favourite actors. The original was well reviewed in Europe. From what I know of it, it does seem like a very tricky film to remake and I thought the remake would always be on a hiding to nothing. Love how McDowell is made to resemble Peter Cushing in the old movie footage.
Numinous20111 1 month ago
Enjoying watching these, you were right on the money with this one. Fright Night is wonderful camp.
TheUnderdwellers 1 month ago
Great review as always. The problem I have with remakes though is that if it doesn't live up to the original then what is the point of it's existence. The original grew a loyal cult following over time, but I think this film will be quickly forgotten like most of the other horror remakes.
LukeMM95 1 month ago
It looks like I may as well jump on the bandwagon with requests as well. How about the three different versions of The Thing. Haven't seen the latest yet but I loved Carpener's vision of how it should be told. Keep up the entertaining vids.
gusgossner 1 month ago
@gusgossner
I've been getting a lot of good suggestions for future Recons on remakes. The Thing is one I was thinking about. I haven't seen this new one yet, although I thought I heard it's technically meant to be a prequel, even tho when I saw the trailer for it it looked to be pretty much a remake to me...
HaphazardStuff 1 month ago
@HaphazardStuff How about instead of the 1982 & 2011 'The Thing', instead comparing the 1957 'The Thing From Another World' with Carpenter's 1982 remake. I realise there may not be as much modern viewer interest in this alternate review, but I do think that it would be interesting to compare radically different horror and storytelling techniques as a commentary on where movies have evolved (or devolved). The Thing 2011 is a redundant remake cash-in anyway.
Numinous20111 1 month ago
What did you think of FRIGHT NIGHT 2? I think it's pretty decent-- No where near as good as the first, but not bad as sequels go, and I enjoyed the variety of vampire minions.
GoblinXXX 1 month ago
@GoblinXXX
You know I never saw the sequel. Always seemed hard to find. Someone told me the full film was posted on YT, so maybe I'll check it out on here.
HaphazardStuff 1 month ago
@HaphazardStuff It's worth checking out if you can,
GoblinXXX 4 weeks ago
@GoblinXXX Loved Fright Night 2, although there was a few unanswered questions in it.
whatuswattingat 4 weeks ago
This is an odd request, but would you do an Original vs Remake of "The Thomas Crowne Affair"? Love to know your thoughts, and love your work.
tonystark106422 1 month ago
I feel about the same, when I had first heard that this was getting remade and Disney was involved I was worried.At least the remake was watchable. What did you think of the remake of the crazies?
iamwesker90002 1 month ago