Let Me In is based on the 2008 Swedish film "Let The Right One In." I have not seen the first one so I can not compare the two, but let me say this one alone really proves that with exceptional child actors (and I can't stress this enough) a very engaging screenplay, and a director who knows how to switch it up from extreme violence, to feelings of lost youth you have a real winner. The story follows Owen (Aussie actor Kodi Smit-McPhee) who lives with his mother in an apartment complex. Mum is a God following alcoholic who has just separated from her husband. Owen is bullied by three boys at school and he constantly envisions himself fighting back. One night though he notices that someone is moving in next door. He sees an older man as well as a young 12 year old girl move into the apartment beside his. One night, Owen is sitting on the playground when a young girl approaches him. Her name is Abby (the amazingly talented Chloe Moretz) and she is the young girl who has moved in next door to Owen. Owen starts to make conversations and finds out that Abby is living with her guardian (Richard Jenkins). But Abby has a secret. She warns Owen to stay away from her. Abby is indeed a vampire. It isn't long though that Abby befriends Owen and starts to allow him to understand what she really is. A blood lusting vampire caught in the innocent body of a 12 year old girl, who is about to bring violence to this small remote town. I'm not going to tell you anymore as I don't want to give anything away.
This movie intrigued me. I have to admit at the start this movie was extremely slow. Like very slow. I myself was having doubts about this film, if I was going to fall asleep instead of seeing one of the best vampire movies I have seen, (trust me stick around) The director Matt Reeves second feature (after Cloverfield) is a slightly smaller scale piece, but he pulls it off extremely well. He lets the audience understand the characters before he launches into brutal violent scenes to show the extreme horror this creature will bring to the town. (I must warn you it has some extremely violent scenes). What worked the best though was the chemistry between the two child actors Chloe Moretz and Kodi Smit-McPhee. I don't know where these two child actors came from, but their acting skills are exceptional. I can not say enough about Chloe. She, to me, is becoming the new actress that every director should cast. The girl knows her talent and I feel she could be the next Meryl Streep. I know big call, but this kid is the reason her movies work. Take for instance 500 Days Of Summer, Chloe stole the show. Kick-Ass, Chloe as Hit-Girl was the best thing about it. The girl is extremely good at what she does. Her take on Abby is brilliant. One minute she can seduce you into thinking she is innocent and misunderstood. The next you witness her terror as this killing machine and think to yourself, I can't believe I actually care for her, but she is a killer. Only talent can prove that.
Let Me In brings to the table a new take on the vampire craze. Finally, we get to witness a film that allows us to understand the tormented nature of this creatures instead of making a joke of the characters (I'm looking at you Robert Patterson). Do we like them? Do we hate them? Only a terrific cast, exceptionally director and a screenplay that doesn't relies on CGI effects to capture an audiences attention can prove a winner. For anyone who wants to witness a thinking person's vampire fable I can not recommend sinking your teeth (pun intended) enough into this movie. Highly recommended. 8/10
Awesome review - thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks mate. Love to review
ReplyDelete