Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Chloe Moretz, Richard Jenkins, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Seth Adkins, Elias Koteas, Cara Buono, Sasha Barrese, Chris Browning, Dylan Minnette, Jimmy 'Jax' Pinchak
RunTime: 1 hr 55 mins
Released By: Shaw
Rating: NC-16 (Violence And Some Nudity)
Official Website: http://www.letmein-movie.com/

Opening Day: 9 December 2010

Synopsis:

Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl from Kick-Ass) stars as Abby, a secretive 12-year old girl, who moves next door to Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Road). Owen is a social outcast who is viciously bullied at school and in his loneliness, forms a profound bond with his new neighbour. Owen can't help noticing that Abby is like no one he has ever met before. As a string of grisly murders occupy the town, Owen has to confront the reality that this seemingly innocent girl is really a savage vampire.

"Let Me In", a haunting and provocative thriller written and directed by filmmaker Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) and produced by legendary British horror brand Hammer Films, is an astonishing coming-of-age story between a young girl and an alienated young boy unlike any other you have seen. Based on the best-selling Swedish novel Lat den Ratte Komma (Let The Right One In) by John Ajvide Lindqvist, and the highly-acclaimed film of the same name, "Let Me In" takes audiences straight to the troubled heart of adolescent longing and loneliness.

Movie Review:

News Flash! Hollywood didn’t F-up the remake of the beloved Swedish horror drama, let The Right One In. Rejoice! Ok, I'm not being mean here but, i have to given credit to where it’s due. After much anticipation and worry of what will become in the hands of the money-maker in Tinseltown, sweat was wiped clean and a breath of relief over came as the celluloid flashed across my eyes. Let Me In, stood on its own, even though most of the tone was carried over from the original. The west-Europe suburban was an exact match to what was how the 80s felt and slipped smoothly into the dark malevolent setting. Faithfully sticking close to the predecessor, Matt Reeves (Cloverfield - which is a guilty pleasure of mine) weaved much of the action as it should be while adding his own touch.  

What the original lacked was the cinematography, fortunately Greig Fraser had the eye to bring this classic a step further with his quiet front, symmetrical framing and dread into the scene. One such case was the car crash scene which takes place from the view point in the interior back seat which made my jaw drop with its realistic composure. Even with much of the story being told when night falls, everything seemed much highlighted and was clear of how the film was painted to point the audience to the right direction. Skillfully scripted and directed, I'll have to admit, the choice of having the hospital scene as the opening really did stir up more intrigue, solidifying the mystery and suspense. Particularly noted was his choice of the view of the boy’s mother which we never really see in full view. It always above screen or from a reflection or blocked. A perfect decision to show the view point of a child. 

Acting all around was remarkably worthy by all the cast. Even to the smallest role. Kodi Smit, playing the boy, last seen in The Road (which had me worried because of his lack of sadness in that film and many thought that he was miscast), stepped up to the game as the lonely bullied boy trying to live life in  that forsaken town. And then there’s Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl rules!), last seen in Kick Ass (*heart), has done it again fitting snugly into the role of Abby. Of cos last but not least, Richard Jenkins, playing the father who heartfully played the role pitch perfect.  

Even with all the praises, this standing ovation remake still has much to be compared in some areas but excelled in many others. What can i say, no one can remake that swimming pool massacre scene, which was more poetically haunting, like the Swedish.  

Movie Rating:



(A remake that is worthy to sink your teeth into!)

Review by Lokman B S