Director: Craig Gillespie

Writers: Martin Noxin, Tom Holland

Starring: Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, David Tennant

Year: 2011

I sometimes like to claim that I have a bizarre relationship with horror films. When I was a little ‘un, and our family would go to the video store, I would check to make sure no-one was watching, then sneak into the horror section and start checking out the covers. I wouldn’t actually watch one – not in a million years (well…12 to 15) – but the images on those boxes held a dread fascination. One such cover that I have always clearly remembered was the 1985 cult classic Fright Night.

Though still not as scary to a 6-year-old as watching Anne of Green Gables

I eventually did see the original and can certainly say that…I saw it…and…it’s got a memorable box cover. Oh! And Prince Humperdink’s in it!

Looking...looking...uhh...kay looking pretty damn creepy actually. If he'd looked at Westley like this he might just have come out on top there. Stop looking at me man!

I’m not gonna waste any space: I enjoyed this remake. I mean, really enjoyed it. And I don’t go to the flicks to see horror movies as a rule. I’m delicate that way. For much of the proceedings the tension is present; the mood is nicely set; where there are effects they aren’t very intrusive; and generally the performances are functional. But here’s where I get to gush a little bit. This movie is owned by Colin Farrell. This is not the first villain he’s played, and possibly not even the most colourful…

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but as the Big Bad of this flick, he is clearly having the time of his life. And so was I. But it wasn’t just Farrell’s turn as the “Vampire-next-door” (that isn’t a spoiler) – when we finally get to meet David Tennant’s stage magician/rock star/relic hunter/vampire slayer…well, I might have wet my pants a little. Just a little.

Some have complained that the writers didn’t really know what they were doing with this character, but Tennant is having such a great time that it doesn’t matter so much. I’d probably agree – except that I’d say that I was having such a great time that I didn’t really care about it at all.

Hello...I'm the Doctor. I will reverse the polarity of your being alive by driving this stake through your heart bitch!

That’s not to say the writing was critic-proof or anything. Sure, there are flaws, but seriously: Isn’t it about time we just went to the flicks to have some fangs-out fun?

How to Enjoy it:

I’m gonna make this one a date night flick. If the lady’s into the gore, then you don’t need me to tell you how to have a good evening. If not, then you get to cuddle all night while she hides her eyes in your manly arms from the scary bits. Waitaminnit…

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (Enjoyable)