When a film that gathers an enormous following and a smattering of praise has an American remake announced the same year it is released, you would expect a few groans. That is exactly what happened with Matt Reeves’ Let Me In, an adaptation and reworking of both the book and film named Let The Right One In. With that in mind, expectations weren’t high for the film, but it largely succeeds despite apprehension from most of the film-going community and works as a personal and touching tale, just in a different locale. Join me after the break for my full review of the faults and successes of this remake.
We start off with a mysterious man being rushed to the hospital through the snow covered winding New Mexico landscape. We don’t know why or what has happened, but the score let’s us know this is a scene of tension that we have been plopped into the middle of, and it is emphasized by the fact that the man is handcuffed to the railings of his stretcher. As “The Policeman” (Elias Koteas) prods for information from the mysterious victim, we are reverted back to a few weeks before. Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is viewing neighbors in his apartment complex from his second floor window and witnesses “The Father” (Richard Jenkins) and Abby (Chloe Moretz) move into his apartment late one night. However, Abby isn’t your typical youth, and as her budding friendship with the increasingly lonely and bullied Owen begins to take form, the danger for all involved builds until it spills over.
The story is one of loneliness and how naïve we can be in our youth. So much so that by the time you form a friendship, and then realize that person is not normal (or, in this case, a vampire), we act like this doesn’t change the long-term outlook; when you are that young, you don’t worry about the future, you just live in the moment. While this is a story that has been told before, it was not in this locale, and it certainly did not seclude our main character to this degree. Owen truly has no other friends to count on when we are introduced to him, save for the gym teacher Mr. Zoric, who has about two minutes of screen time. This would be a suffocating situation if it wasn’t for the intriguing relationship between him and Abby, which helps bring a little humor and protection to Owen.
One of the more unique qualities of Let Me In is how the scenes in snow covered New Mexico feel warm, despite the obvious cold. The chemistry between Owen and Abby, although awkward at first, starts to gain traction and cinematographer Greig Fraser manages to capture warmth where it simply doesn’t exist when the two are on screen. Additionally, the camera work in a scene where “The Father” is tossed around inside of a vehicle as it rolls into a ditch is truly horrifying and a showcase piece. This use of practical effects brings me to my first major concern with the film.
When CGI is used sparingly and in the background, it can have a tremendous benefit on screen. However, when Abby’s feral mode kicks into high gear, she becomes a CGI blur and the carefully setup ‘80s aesthetic is completely shattered. When CGI looks fake it rouses me from the moment; my trust that this is a real situation is completely demolished. Unfortunately, while the CGI is used only a handful of times, it happens to be the key moments of Abby’s vampire attacks that are supposed to have an emotional punch, but instead feel like a gentle nudge. This is a kind and innocent girl that also is a monster, but that aspect is lost in the shuffle of wild special effects. This truly is a major aspect of the story, and why the first film is exceedingly brilliant; there is a perfect marriage between the horror genre and the drama that serves as the backbone of the film.
Despite my major gripe with the CGI, there are some golden aspects of the film that are haunting. Richard Jenkins portrayal of “The Father” is incredible and he has a detached and sad resonance that floods each scene. Additionally, Michael Giacchino’s pounding score provides an unrelenting tension throughout the film that emphasizes the potential danger for anyone. Director Matt Reeves also captures a great childlike awkwardness between Abby and Owen, particularly while they bob their head to music.
Ultimately, fears that Reeves would turn Let Me In into some mainstream thriller or horror film were completely unfounded. What he has done is create a deeply personal and resonant film that has one glaring flaw that keeps it from cementing itself as a true classic in its own right. Let Me In is a stirring study of loneliness in an age where personal contact was one of the only methods of companionship that could be formed but ultimately misses hitting the homerun it could have.
Final score: B+
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You read the book?
The book had some pacing issues of its own, but had more of the controversial stuff that I loved about the story. I read the book not long before seeing LET ME IN
And still, “Let Me In, an adaptation and reworking of both the book and film named Let The Right One In.”
What elements did it add from the book that weren’t in the original movie? Also changing the character of Thomas(Hakan), really does change the story completely(well, to an extent). It does change the character of Abbey(Eli) a lot, however. There are inherent problems following that line of thinking in the original, and making an entire movie out of it, well……
I get why some people like the remake. I really do. I also get why some people assumed Oskar will be the next Hakan because Hakan used to be the last Oskar, in the original movie. Even though nothing supported it, and even though as soon as that happens, not so much a friendship/soul mate love story but a, so Oskar gets boned again, huh? Story.
You are asking me to explain spoilers in a review? No thanks. There are bits and pieces I didn’t like that were changed. However, that isn’t the point of an OBJECTIVE review. We should treat the film as a singular property and judge it based on its own merits. Not how it compares to the other. Do certain aspects work in the framework of this film? I think for a large part, most of the changes DO. If it has a flaw that the original hit a homerun with, then we can mention that aspect, as I did.
Also, Hakan’s relationship with Eli in the original film is very vague. In the book, it is clearly spelled out. Oscar is not Hakan… at all.
Exactly. In the film it is vague, but the film maker throws in implications to support the book. Choice of victims, interactions with Eli, what kind of grown man would stay around, etc…
Again if you treat the film as a single property, there are a lot of problems with the Thomas angle. I could say why, but I understand about avoiding spoilers so I won’t. In any case, please email me at googergieger@gmail.com and tell what elements did it add from the book that weren’t in the original film? and I can tell you the problem with the Thomas angle.
You are asking me to explain spoilers in a review? No thanks. There are bits and pieces I didn’t like that were changed. However, that isn’t the point of an OBJECTIVE review. We should treat the film as a singular property and judge it based on its own merits. Not how it compares to the other. Do certain aspects work in the framework of this film? I think for a large part, most of the changes DO. If it has a flaw that the original hit a homerun with, then we can mention that aspect, as I did.
Also, Hakan’s relationship with Eli in the original film is very vague. In the book, it is clearly spelled out. Oscar is not Hakan… at all.
the swedish version of ‘let me in’ is awesome, hope this one is too.
The original is tonnes better. Don’t bother with this one. Its basically the same movie but in American. LOLz
In that case I will see it. My biggest problem with the original is that it was subtitled.
Did you see the film already?
The CGI shouldn’t have had the big of an effect on the score. in fact, I don’t see what the big deal was about it. compared to real life, even Avatar looked fake. You can never replicate real life with CGI. And in the case of the emotion, I thought it delivers a great emotional punch to the chest. I have no doubt that this will be a classic film. I am curious to know though if you believe Let The Right One In to be a classic, even though that film is far from perfect aswell. *cough cough* cat scene*cough*cough*
I do think LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is a classic. CGI wasn’t the only flaw, but in order to point them out, would cause spoilers. However, it was enough of a drawback to me that it took me completely out of the moment. It felt like I AM LEGEND all over again. It looks fake, and it IS fake. At least in the terms of AVATAR, you are in another world, and you are surrounded by that.
AVATAR had jaw-dropping near photo-realistic creatures and special effects on a background of a vivid and imaginary world. This was set in the 80s, with a realistic backdrop. Then, boom, when she goes batshit she is suddenly this CGI mess? And her climbing up the trees? No thanks. She is a vampire. Just jump. She shouldn’t have to climb, and certainly shouldnt be so damn sloppy.
If you had read the book you would realize that she grows long nails and climbs trees like she did in the movie. The book describes her as being cat-like.
I DID read the book. While they do describe her climbing trees, they never mention that she is as sloppy of a climber as she is portrayed in the film. Additionally, you would still think she could jump pretty high.
I DID read the book. While they do describe her climbing trees, they never mention that she is as sloppy of a climber as she is portrayed in the film. Additionally, you would still think she could jump pretty high.
Awesome review that has me wanting to see the movie even more!!! I think it’s gonna be really good as many people are saying that the remake is actually pretty faithful to the original. http://www.letmein.ca
According to ARTISTdirect’s Rick Florino, “Let Me In” (“Let The Right One In” remake) is one of the best films of the decade! Check out his 5 star review here! http://bit.ly/9tE5xh
According to ARTISTdirect’s Rick Florino, “Let Me In” (“Let The Right One In” remake) is one of the best films of the decade! Check out his 5 star review here! http://bit.ly/9tE5xh