Let Me In (Movie Review)

Rating:

For those who have not seen ‘Let the Right One In,’ you’ll like it’s Hollywood remake – ‘Let Me In.’ If you’ve already seen the Swedish original, this new version will feel choppy and uninteresting, only until the second half where it really picks up.

Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass) stars as Abby, a mysterious 12-year- old who moves next door to Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee from The Road), a social outcast who is viciously bullied at school. In his loneliness, Owen forms a profound bond with his new neighbor, 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.

I must reinforce how wonderful the original was. The pacing might have been slow and at times just boring, but it built a visceral connection between the two young protagonists that was transfixing. As a result, it is only logical that you will constantly be comparing the two versions scene by scene, and I have to strongly recommend you against it. It is not fair to the new version which stands up quite well as its own individual work of cinema.

The opening scene of ‘Let Me In’ is absolutely enthralling. You feel like you are in for something special. Then, for viewers of the original, it begins to look hurried and uneven. With the introduction of the the second half, it is clear how much more frightening this version becomes with its display of special effects. These elements appear to consist of a combination of CGI and speeded-up live action, making it more effective. There are horror elements that will entertain the senses such as the vicious brutal attacks; severed limbs and heads and blood gushing from opened arteries.

The acting is just as good as the original. Chloe and Kodi understood the isolation and unhappiness their characters felt. Overall, if you’re searching for a good horror film with some substance, Let Me In is an enjoyable watch.

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