Fright Night (***)

Fright Night (2011) is a slightly teen friendly vampire horror movie remake of the 1985 film by the same name (**½).  The first film was more of a comedy and the second film places more emphasis on horror with just a touch of comedy thrown in.  That is part of my problem with this movie.  This is a genre where you either play it funny or you make it completely serious and genuinely frightening.  Anything between loses some its scariness and makes it feel lightweight.

The movie does feel lightweight.  My other problem with the film is that I don't think that it breaks any new ground.  Everything that is done in this movie has been done before.  It might as well be an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, which is actually a far better show than most people realize.  Only a few Buffy fans like me understand its greatness.

There are many elements in the first film that are repeated in the remake but done better.

Despite my complaints, there is enough action in the film to get me caught up in the story.  At one point there is a battle between the vampire and people in a car.  The car loses.  Later, there is a subterranean battle between humans and vampires that is pretty well done.

I like seeing David Tennant playing an actor and reluctant vampire expert.  Too bad he left Doctor Who for this.