Written and created by Matthew Pejkovic

Contact: mattsm@mattsmoviereviews.net

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1987
THE LOST BOYS
STARRING:COREY HAIM,JASON PATRIC,KIEFER SUTHERLAND,DIANE WIEST,COREY FELDMAN,JAMISON NEWLANDER,BERNARD HERMAN,JAMIE GERTZ,BARNARD HUGHES,BROOKE MCCARTER,ALEX WINTER,BILLY WIRTH

STORY BY JANICE FISCHER & JAMES JEREMIAS

SCREENPLAY BY JEFFREY BOAM,JANICE FISCHER & JAMES JEREMIAS

PRODUCED BY HARVEY BERNHARD

DIRECTED BY JOEL SCHUMACHER

GENRE:COMEDY/HORROR/TEEN

RATED:AUSTRALIA:M/UK:15/USA:R

RUNNING TIME:97 MIN

Sam (Corey Haim) and Michael (Jason Patric) have just moved to Santa Carla with their newly divorced mum (Dianne Weist). When Michael falls in with a group of trench coat wearing, motor bike riding teenage vampires led by the mysterious and sinister David (Kiefer Sutherland), Sam enlists the help of two vampire slayers known as the Frog Brothers (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander) to kill the lead vampire and lift the curse placed on Michael.
Unlike fellow vampire film Near Dark, The Lost Boys uses traditional vampire conventions (holy water, garlic, stake through the heart, etc) and mixes it with the then modern culture of the 1980's.
Combining the teen and vampire subgenre's works very well, with the party all night and sleep all day lifestyle exhibited by these vampires no doubt an appealing drawcard to many adolescents. Director Joel Schumacher skilfully exploits the comparisons between the two at first seemingly different genres, whilst also commenting on peer pressure and drug use amongst teens (with blood the drug of choice in this film.)
The films young actors are perfectly cast and put on choice performances. Jason Patric's alluring presence is used very well, and Kiefer Sutherland (who has become a deft hand at playing villains) is wonderfully menacing whilst sporting the mullet from hell. Corey Haim is good as the fish out of water fashion victim, who along with his future partner in crime Corey Feldman and Jamie Newlander provide some nice comedic touches, especially the later two who are great as the ultra macho, Rambo inspired vampire slayers.
Schumacher's visual flare works well with the films neon lit 1980's backdrop, and his point of view shots of vampires flying through the air makes quite an impression. Along with the films comedic elements, Schumacher also handles the horror aspects very well. There are some fine thrilling moments (Sutherland, Patric and co. hanging from the bottom of a rail bridge and then falling into an never ending abyss is a highlight), and the films gory moments are nicely handled and never come off as over the top.
Impressive make up effects, rich cinematography by Michael Chapman, and a rocking soundtrack help create a memorable vampire tale, yet the films inability to keep up its momentum stops The Lost Boys from becoming a great horror movie, with special mention to the final act which -despite a good twist and killer punch line - fails to meet the promise established before hand. A very good, yet flawed vampire movie which will always remain a guilty pleasure of mine.

***1/2
 
 

 

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