The Infected Review LET ME IN

[N.R. Gasan]

At this very moment -- which is to say, when I created this thread -- I haven't seen LMI. However, I will be seeing it today, as I'm sure will a number of folks from Team Eli. I knew someone was going to make a thread like this, so I figured I might as well go ahead and do it. And as soon as I get home from seeing the film, I'll edit this post and put my thoughts below while the impressions are fresh in what mind I have. :)

N.R.'s Review Of LMI:

In a nutshell: 2 1/2 Stars (out of 4)...better than "fair," but not "good." Be advised, there are plenty of "spoilers" below.

I wanted to like this movie, I really did. And I can't say I disliked it; I was, however, disappointed by it. As I was watching LMI, I tried really hard not to compare it to the Swedish film; not easy to do. But even judging LMI on its own merits, I feel it comes short of what could have been. There's no fault on the part of the principle actors; each was supremely capable in his or her part. But just as LTROI is greater than the sum of its parts, LMI falls short despite the grade A efforts of the cast.

The biggest drawback, for me, is that there is almost no chemistry between Chloe and Kodi on-screen. Zip. Zero. I don't know if it was the directing or that the two just don't "click," but where there was an immediate rapport between Lina and Kare -- and thereby their characters -- here there is none. Throughout the movie, the Abby-Owen relationship rings hollow. And without that spark, so much of what happens between Abby and Owen as the story progresses seems forced, even contrived.

I'm actually happy that Reeves changed the names of the principles, because Abby and Eli are two very different characters. As we all know, Eli clearly hates what she is; she even weeps after having killed Jocke. Abby, on the other hand, shows no sign of remorse or self-loathing anywhere in the film. I felt no sympathy towards her character at all. And where Oskar was well motivated in gravitating towards Eli, I could not grasp why Owen felt such an attraction towards someone who was not only dangerous but not even human. OK, the kid is lonely, but after seeing Abby's vampire face when he offers to make a blood pact, I'd be running for the hills. At the end of LTROI, when Oskar is sitting there with that contented look on his face (a scene that still gives me a warm feeling, despite having seen it countless times), I was happy; it feels so right. At the end of LMI, same scenario, I was thinking, "Why? Why would this kid run away with this...creature?" Unlike in LTROI, where Hakan's origins were never made clear, in this movie it's made very clear that the "father" had essentially been Owen at one time; he had been with Abby from a young age.

The character of the police detective is almost a joke. He is completely two-dimensional. This is no slap at the actor; I'm just stating a fact. The character of the detective gets no development at all. So when he behaves the way most detectives in real life never would, I was like, "Huh?" Near the end of the movie, he goes to the apartment complex. Bear in mind, he's investigating multiple homicides. Yet, he goes to Abby's apartment without back-up. Then he kicks in the door without a warrant, without cause (sorry, a creaking floor board doesn't qualify as exigent circumstances). Unlike Lacke, the detective has no personal motive, no reason to purposely screw up an arrest and deep-six any subsequent criminal case. That's just bad writing. And directing.

And while we're getting around to directing, Reeves could take lessons from Tomas A. He did not maximize the skills of Chloe and Kodi, who -- unlike newbies Lina and Kare -- are seasoned kid actors. Neither Chloe nor Kodi saw LTROI before shooting LMI, and I really think this was a mistake. I can't help but think that they would have benefited by seeing the chemistry between Lina and Kare. And the pool scene was a waste. Unlike most of the movie, Reeves decided that here he would get artsy. Maybe as a homage to LTROI. I don't know. But I, for one, would have liked things a bit more graphic. Since the bullying was more blatant in this film, I think it would have been consistent -- and more gratifying -- to see these punks really get what for. Maybe not to the degree of a slasher film, but I would have liked seeing Abby go to town on these low-lifes, up close and personal.

I could go on, but that's the main gist of my thoughts on LET ME IN. My recommendation: Wait to rent the DVD; theaters are expensive these days (unless you go to the matinee, like I did). But if you really can't wait for the DVD, then don't run to the theater...just walk leisurely. :)

[abner_mohl]

Saw it last night. Several key scenes were missing that were the heart and soul of the original, plus the CGI effects were pretty distracting. When Abby was in full vampire mode, she moved around like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Chloe's performance was average as Abby, definitely not as memorable as Lina's, but Kodi was pretty good as Owen, as pointed out elsewhere he is almost as good as Kare. The actor who really stood out was Richard Jenkins as the Father, you really feel sorry for his character because Abby really treats him like garbage, and knows his days are numbered. The bullies were far more cruel, they made Connie and his crew seem like choir boys. Elias Koteas was good as the Policeman, but he would have been better as Lacke. LMI's Lacke & Virginia were just props,and the secondary characters, the drunks and Oskar/Owen's dad were definitely missed. There is an interesting quick reference to Tommy from the book. What really hurts the movie is it is obvious Abby has shopping around for a new Renfield, especially when Abby and Owen first meet, she looks him over like a talent scout, and likes what she sees. It was passable entertainment, but it's definitely the Walmart version of LTROI.

[hillerr]

Thanks for your thoughts. Sounds like it'll be a $1 Redbox rental for me. Without the emotional effect that the original has, I see little difference from this vs. standard horror movies. We'll see if others concur and if they do, the brilliance of the original is affirmed.

[foxfire]

I haven't read any reviews yet. I'm going to see the film in 45 minutes. v v

[Drad]

Agree with you on the cop part. My friend said the same thing about busting into the apartment alone, lol.

I liked how this film left the drunks out, but the problem with the cop is the climax didn't work.

In the original, Lacke was about to kill Eli with a knife, and Oskar screams at him, and points his own knife at him. In the book, Oskar throws a Rubicks cube. In this version, Abby's life isn't in danger from the cop.

[Theinfected914]

I'm glad I didn't go see it. As someone else said, I'll just wait until it hits redbox-- thank God for that.I knew from the start that Chole was the wrong choice. Well, looks like Cloverfield 2 will be underway. Hmmmm, another bad sequel? Guess we'll have to wait and see. Ha-ha, on the bright side of things, at least Micheal Bay didn't remake it.

[hillerr]

Ha-ha, on the bright side of things, at least Micheal Bay didn't remake it.

I'm glad for ANY movie not made by Michael Bay.

[Zhoutai21]

But hillerr!!! The Rock is a masterpiece!

[TΛPETRVE]

A'ight, it's time to post my thoughts.

It's just hard for me to slate Let Me In as it's hard for me not to slate it. It was definitely an entertaining romp and it had some great scenes that would have done nicely in the original, if not for the change of pace. As a mere movie, it was definitely worth sitting through.

But now it comes: The whole movie felt incredibly artificial. The characters, every single one - except for Richard Jenkins, who really did a neat job - felt like puppets. They were dehumanized to a level that made any empathy impossible for me. Owen seemed like such a worthless, subhuman piece of flesh that I almost felt he rightfully deserved everything that happened to him. Actually, I really wanted him to suffer. When I came out of the theater, the first thing that came to my mind was Aleister Crowley's precept "Deem not of change: Ye shall be as ye are, and not other. Therefore the kings of the earth shall be Kings for ever: The slaves shall serve." There was no change, no inner development in the protagonists. Only the inevitable emerging of a new master-and-servant relationship, like a fate predetermined for those too weak to live and too stupid to die.

So, when I originally assumed there would be no emotional impact to Let Me In, I was half wrong: It did evoke emotions - however, they were definitely not sensations of pleasure, but of contempt.

And still, I have to recomment the movie to either everyone who either didn't like the original, but is still interested in the story, and to people who just want to see a good, thoroughly entertaining vampire movie.

[drakkar]

OK, I repeat myself:
Thanks a lot! I was hoping for a qualified review, and suddenly here it was!

What about the score?