Let me In, a review

Let me In, a review

Låt den rätte komma in or in English, Let the Right One In, what Twilight could've been: a sweet yet very dark, and very gory take on the vampire romance genre with two children as their leads instead of two teenagers. And rather than dealing with the whole vampires vs. werewolves aspect of it, they're dealing with the complexity of vampires hiding from the public. (In other words, it'd be Twilight if Stepanie Meyer hadn't written it.)

In the film, Oskar is constantly bullied at school, and who should come to his rescue than the new neighbor, Eli. However, it turns out Eli is a vampire and thus, needs blood to survive. However, things start getting dangerous as the law investigates the bloody murders taking place. Together, Oskar and Eli form a romance that his both sweet, disturbing and gory as any rated R treat.

As many viewers of the original are and probably will be, there is some skepticism on American remakes. And while I can't say anything in favor or against Cloverfield director, Matt Reeves, one thing to look forward to is a performance from young Chloë Moretz, who played Hit-Girl in Kick Ass.

With that in mind, let's review Let Me In.

Things aren't going well for Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee). His parents are in the middle of a loud divorce, he's being picked on at school and worst yet, murders are taking place throughout the town. However, he happens to meet a young girl named Abby (Chole Moretz), who walks around with no shoes.

Fans, be at ease. For the most part, the remake does justice to the original.

Owen eventually befriends Abby. As he does his best to beat his oppressors, Abby must try to find blood and feed. If her older companion can't help her, she may need to take things in her own hand.

Everything you liked about the original is here: the gore, the dark tones, the ambiguous morality. Owen is essentially in love with a demon. Will he still continue to love her, or will he bail when things get tough?

However, some things don't translate as well. Namely, the tone of the movie. Too many times the film goes to CGI for the vampire scenes and the music is just too overbearing at times, telegraphing (get it? Telegraphing?) the tone when silence would've done just as well.

Still, don't let that put you off. This is a rated-R treat for any vampire lover out there.

See this movie!