Film Review: LET ME IN (2010)

Director: Matt Reeves
Writers: Matt Reeves (screenplay), John Ajvide Lindqvist (screenplay & novel of the original Swedish production: “Låt den rätte komma in”)
Running time: 111 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Drama/Horror/Mystery
UK Release date: 5^th November 2010

Watched on DVD Thursday 30^th August 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having watched, and loved, the original Swedish film “Let the Right One In” (2008); (see my review here) it was with much trepidation I turned on this American remake. In fact, I have to say that when I watched “Let the Right One In” back in 2010, it only came second in my top ten because a certain film called “Inception” happened to be released that year. But I digress; I was in fear that the studio would dumb it down so much that it wouldn’t have the same haunting quality of the original. Was I right? Well, I’ll tell you after this very brief summary.

Twelve year old Owen is a loner; he spends much of his time in the courtyard of the apartment block he lives in with his mum. Some boys at school, Kenny, Mark and Donald (particularly Kenny) take great delight in bullying and tormenting him. One day a girl, Abby, moves into the apartment next door with her ‘Father’. They meet in the courtyard and, after a bit of an awkward start, begin to become friends. Abby has a secret though and when Owen finds out about it he is left with a dilemma. I will leave it there, although I’ve given less away here than they do in the trailer.

Very well made with the same haunting quality of the original; they got the look and feel of it just right. The performances were all excellent as well; particularly the two young leads; Kodi Smit-McPhee as Owen and Chloë Grace Moretz as Abby. They were ably supported by; Richard Jenkins as The Father, Elias Koteas as The Policeman, Dylan Minnette as Jack and Cara Buono as Owen’s Mother.

I find it hard to talk about this film without drawing comparisons with the original. I guess if I hadn’t seen, and fallen in love with the original, I would have thought this was quite brilliant. The trouble is, it’s almost shot-for-shot the same film; with some obvious references changed. I noticed also that it was set in the 1980’s also, giving scope for a sequel with Owen as a grown-up. So how does it compare; well I must say I preferred the mystery of the original and it will always be my favourite version. However, I still found this one perfectly watchable and have no problem in deeming it Highly Recommended if you’re not lucky enough to have seen the original… Otherwise.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED.

My score: 7.5/10

IMDb Score: 7.2/10 (based on 45,673 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1228987/

MetaScore: 79/100: (Based on 35 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89/100 (based on 205 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 74/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 58,854 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/let_me_in/

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
[first lines]
Paramedic #1: One-three-one to dispatch, come in.
Radio Dispatcher: [after delay] One-three-one, this is dispatch, go ahead.
Paramedic #1: This is one-three-one. We have a male, mid 50s, with burns over nine to nine and a half percent of his body. Prior to arrival on scene, the patient apparently doused his head, neck and face with some sort of highly concentrated acid. patient's airway severely compromised due to fume inhalation. Vital signs undetermined. Please advise, patient is a federal suspect. We're coming in with a police escort right now.

Abby: I want to be left alone.
Owen: So do I.
Abby: Now go away.
Owen: No! I've lived here longer than you.

Abby: Just so you know, I can't be your friend.
Owen: Why not?
Abby: That's just the way it is.
Owen: Well, who said I wanted to be your friend? Idiot.

Abby: [touching Owen's bandaged cheek] What happened there?
Owen: Some kids from school.
Abby: I'll help you.
Owen: But you're a girl.
Abby: I'm a lot stronger than you think I am.

Abby: You have to hit back.
Owen: I can't. There's 3 of them.
Abby: Then you hit back even harder.

The Father: Please don't see that boy again.

LINKS:
Official Site: http://www.letmein-movie.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008)

Director: Tomas Alfredson
Running time: 110 mins (approx)
Certificate (UK): 15

UK Release Date: 10th April 2009

Watched on DVD Sunday 30th May 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I’ve heard a lot of praise about this film and so I thought I’d better check it out. I wasn’t disappointed; it’s a truly excellent film. Very original in its approach and very well executed, I find it hard to find a fault with it! But I digress; it’s made in Swedish with subtitles, but believe me its well worth battling with the text. Here’s a short summary before a bit more praise.

As I’ve already said, the film is Swedish, and as you’d expect the setting is a small town in Sweden. It’s winter, unless it snows all year round there, and twelve year old Oskar, a bit of a loner, makes a new friend, Eli, when she moves into the apartment next door. Oskar has a problem with bullies at school and Eli teaches him to stand up for himself, but this causes further complications along the line. Meanwhile, there are several unexplained deaths occurring across the town that nobody seems to be able to solve. As Oskar and Eli’s friendship deepens, he discovers her secret, she’s a vampire, and as such it may not be possible for her to stay for much longer. I won’t say any more, don’t want to give too much away.

This is the best film I’ve seen so far this year. Beautifully shot with a really atmospheric soundtrack and brilliant performances from the two main actors, Kåre Hedebrant as Oskar and Lina Leandersson as Eli. Notable mentions must also go to Per Ragnar as Håkan, Henrik Dahl as Erik, Karin Bergquist as Yvonne, Peter Carlberg as Lacke and Patrik Rydmark as Conny.

This is how a vampire movie should be made in my opinion, it’s understated and quite beautifully shot. The soundtrack fits the pictures perfectly and it’s a really touching tale. I really identified with the main characters and found it easy to feel for them as their lives are turned inside out. A truly excellent film and very very highly recommended!

My score: 9.5/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1139797/
Official Site: http://www.lettherightoneinmovie.com/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/imdb/vi777782041/