Let Me In DVD
Starring: Chloe Moretz, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Richard Jenkins, Elias Koteas, Cara Buono.
Director: Matt Reeves
Rating: 4/5
Let The Right One In was one of the greatest movies to grace the big screen back in 2009 - an original and powerful addition to the vampire genre - so I was more than a little worried when it was revealed that an American re-make was one the way.
American versions of foreign movies have never enjoyed much success, or been that good if we are being honest, but happily there is always one movie that bucks a trend and this is it.
Abby (Moretz) is a mysterious twelve year old who moves next door to Owen (Smit-Mcphee), a social outcast who is viciously bullied at school.
In his loneliness, Owen forms a profound bond with his new neighbour, but he can’t help noticing that Abby is like no-one he has ever met before.
As a string of grisly murders grips his wintry New Mexico town, Owen has to confront the reality that this seemingly innocent girl is actually a savage vampire.
For anyone who feared that Let Me In was going to butcher Let The Right One in fear not director Matt Reeves has delivered a great movie.
It does stick closely to the original, which may leave you wondering why they bothered, but it's the central performances of Chloe Moretz and Kodi Smit-McPhee that are so great.
Moretz has proved over the last twelve months that she is a force to be reckoned with and Let Me In sees her take on the drama and produce a very adult performance.
Kodi Smit-McPhee is also great as Owen, who desperately wants to shake off the bullies and belong. The chemistry between the pair is obvious from the start and Let Me In is a tender story of friendship and first love.
Let The Right One in may not have the depth and emotional punch of the original but Reeves, who was behind Cloverfield has produced a brutal as well as sweet in places movie.
It's a new take on the vampire movie, I'm thankful to say that it's a whole world away from the Twilight Saga, as well as being a movie of friendship, loyalty and tolerance.
But Reeves is unafraid to show off the vampire in all it's glory as several of the character meet a rather gruesome end - not thanks to Abby.
Let Me In is chilling and brutal as well as touching and child-like it's remake that really does stand on it's own two feet.
Let Me In is out on DVD and Blu-Ray now.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Matt Reeves