JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Let Me In – John Doe’s Trailer of the Moment
The Remake That Might Be?
Let Me In Poster
Poster 2 for Let Me In
John Doe is having a hard time distilling his trepidations and malevolent thoughts about the US remake of the Swedish film Låt den Rätte Komma In (Let The Right One In).
Here is a quick exert from John Doe’s Review for perspective:
Poster 3 for Let Me In
Adapted for cinema from his own denser original work, writer John Ajvide Lindqvist manipulates the folk lore of those starved for the red stuff and grounds his work in emotional truth. Tempting us with delicate appearances that are readily shattered, the tender savagery rises like the dawn sun.”
Where the first film reveled in emotional ambiguities and utilized the coming of age metaphor to explore human themes, from the trailer this new version seems destined to fall back in step with the established blood sucker genre.
Largely due to the fact that Director Tomas Alfredson had never actually seen a vampire movie, the original removed the fangs of cliche. This was a major strength of his work.
Based on the book titled Let Me In, Alfredson took one thread from the source novel and ran with it. Fans of the story will know that several subplots were omitted from the first adaptation. Standing out was Tommy’s storyline that culminates in a basement battle that would lend itself well to cinema.
Another part that was trimmed on the first pass was that of Hakan, Eli’s mentor with a salacious air. Though the element of mystery surrounding him worked, it would be nice to see his entire story told.
When this new project Directed by Matt Reeves of Cloverfield fame was announced, many hoped to see some of this edited material transposed onto the screen. Admittedly JD has not read the script so there is a chance of wish fulfillment still lingering.
The aggressive scoring that plays over this trailer and hacked editing indicate inappropriate changes in tone that immediately cause concern. From the footage below we also see that many shots have been mirrored, not that it’s a bad thing in and of itself.
On the positive side, there are indications of new scenes. Importantly it also looks like the Director is at least bringing his own style and the alternate aesthetic look of the piece seems complimentary.
A casting comparison.
Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass) as Abby, replacing Lina Leandersson’s Eli seems to be a good fit. She certainly has the presence. Australian Kodi Smit-McPhee’s (The Road) Owen has a big task replacing Kåre Hedebrant’s Oskar, both children in the original were exceptional but the glimpses we get here seem to show wise casting.
Trying to keep his own expectations in check, Johnny D is determined to approach this fresh translation with objectivity. It’s very hard when it has to be measured against such a captivating and rewarding benchmark. Perhaps his affections and knowledge of the material will actually culminate in pleasure purely because of the respect that Matt Reeves has expressed for the book and its maiden motion picture. Still doesn't mean JD won't have his garlic and crucifix handy when it's released !
To read an interview with the Director of Let The Right One In visit Bryn over at Horrorphile who was equally enamored with the film.
The new International trailer for Let Me In
Screen Adventure
Horrorphile
I don't like the casting of the girl, she looks too smug in the role.
The cinematography looks too similar. And the tone looks too heavy-handed.
I'll still see it of course. But I don't think I'll have too many good things to say.
Lovetrucker
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Disagree with Bryn - I love Moretz and after what she did in Kick Ass she can't do wrong by me for now, and Kodi is amazing - loved him in Romulus My Father - the Road was like celluloid vallium for me - hated it
Looking forward to it regardless and will hold judgement until that time.
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I was going to post the trailer for this the other day, I'm glad I didn't because I have not heard of the original. So, I hunted down a copy and just finished watching it. I have to agree with Matt. It's a good movie but I don't think it actually deserves the praise it's getting. I wouldn't call it the best vampire movie ever made. However there is definitely something about it, that's compelling. It's like watching a ballet - it's very artistic, almost delicate, fragile. Very interesting.
I'm willing to bet that the trailer gives off a different impression than the actual movie. Chloe has way too much personality for this role. She'll pull it off ONLY if she tones it down.
I don't have much faith in remakes, so I'll just keep my fingers crossed.
I just hope they don't CGI it to death. That would be a travesty.
Horrorphile
Hollywood is already making it very accessible to a wider audience by remaking it in the English language, can't they take the bull by the horns and attempt to make it even closer to the novel (ie the darker, more visceral and troubling elements) ...?? I doubt it.
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I saw the English dubbed version last night and some of the dialogue was kind of a weird translation. And it seems that a girl dubbed the voice of Conny, the bully. I love the subtleties and I thought the ending massacre at the pool was BRILLIANT and AMAZING!!! The entire movie was like poetry. I'm pretty sure that if I watched it again, I'd grow to like it even more.
I can only hope the remake does it justice but I'm not going to bet on it.
If I can, I'll definitely get my hand on the book.
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
another well crafted post splitting open the jugular of contention!
I think the change of title says a huge amount already, Let the Right One In, for a start, already sets up a premise, and an expectation, whereas the American title does not say as much, possibly then neither does the film?
And then there is the cultural differences between the orginal and America's remake.
I always squirm when a classic is remade, however, shameful to admit, I still have not seen the original, must do that soon.
cheers
fog
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Matt,
The original was very hyped so I understand your appreciation without worship
Agree foreign remakes are out of hand and seldom hold a candle to their inspiration.
Film & TV on DVD
Direct and to the point response...truth be told my post did originally begin, "Well this looks like another complete pile of shit"
Film & TV on DVD
I don't like the casting of the girl, she looks too smug in the role.
The cinematography looks too similar. And the tone looks too heavy-handed.
I'll still see it of course. But I don't think I'll have too many good things to say.
Hi Bryn,
I'm sure we will both weep when it is released.
I do think that Chloe suits the part, its the whole tone that seems off to me.
Did you notice I linked to your Director review?
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Lovetrucker,
"I'm not even a girl" will probably be omitted from this take on things, as will most of the concepts that made the original seem so fresh...just like how they pussied out on following through with the final punch in The Ring remake.
Film & TV on DVD
Disagree with Bryn - I love Moretz and after what she did in Kick Ass she can't do wrong by me for now, and Kodi is amazing - loved him in Romulus My Father - the Road was like celluloid vallium for me - hated it
Looking forward to it regardless and will hold judgement until that time
Hi Jason,
I will let Deni's response answer the question of where I found the trailer
They are taking a different approach? So there may be more from the novel?
Chloe seems like a good fit if she doesn't play it like a comic book film.
As for Khodi, i still haven't seen The Road but your description describes how I felt watching Romulus my Father
Film & TV on DVD
I was going to post the trailer for this the other day, I'm glad I didn't because I have not heard of the original. So, I hunted down a copy and just finished watching it. I have to agree with Matt. It's a good movie but I don't think it actually deserves the praise it's getting. I wouldn't call it the best vampire movie ever made. However there is definitely something about it, that's compelling. It's like watching a ballet - it's very artistic, almost delicate, fragile. Very interesting.
I'm willing to bet that the trailer gives off a different impression than the actual movie. Chloe has way too much personality for this role. She'll pull it off ONLY if she tones it down.
I don't have much faith in remakes, so I'll just keep my fingers crossed.
Producer Simon Oakes has made it clear that the plot of Let Me In will closely resemble that of the original film, except that it will be made "very accessible to a wider audience"; "If you say 'remake', I think that's true to say. That's what it is. It's not a reimagining. [It has] the same beats, maybe the scares are a little bit more scary. We've been able to ramp that up quite a lot, obviously for budgetary reasons.
I just hope they don't CGI it to death. That would be a travesty.
Hi Deni,
That producers quote is downright offensive..if that's the approach then this thing will be even worse than the trailer makes it appear.
So the original didn't jazz you fully? Maybe its because of expectations due to the hype? For me there hasn't been a better vamp film in years....agreed it is not the best of all time, but I would argue the best since Buffy and Twilight almost destroyed the genre.
Film & TV on DVD
another well crafted post splitting open the jugular of contention!
I think the change of title says a huge amount already, Let the Right One In, for a start, already sets up a premise, and an expectation, whereas the American title does not say as much, possibly then neither does the film?
And then there is the cultural differences between the original and America's remake.
I always squirm when a classic is remade, however, shameful to admit, I still have not seen the original, must do that soon.
cheers
fog
Thanks for the compliment Foggy,
The title change is actually that of the novel, but I get what you mean.
Naturally the cultural differences are going to abort a lot of the originals fresh feel and more controversial ideas.
I think you should find the original and then ignore how much we have hyped it
Screen Adventure
Deni - do also maybe think that the fact that you watched the film dubbed in another language was severely affecting it too.
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie, it's good. I'm just not blown away by it.
I watched the dubbed version because i didn't have the energy or the focus to read the subtitles at 11pm. The dialogue was hokey in some parts but I don't think that ruined the experience. I watched it again at a reasonable hour over the weekend and I felt the same. I've not really experienced any hype except what's on this thread. Only after I saw the movie, did I read the Press on it.
I think it's touch and go with the remake. It all boils down to the competency of the producer/director.
At first I didn't like the idea of making the horror scenes scarier - but then that depends on how they do it... one of the things I liked about the movie is the subtlety and I loved the use of "silence" but I know that an American audience wouldn't go for that.
I looked at the past credits for both the director and the producer and there's not much there to determine anything so we'll have to rely on chance as to whether or not they will do it justice.
Horrorphile
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I'm surprised at how much of a half-assed job they do with dubbing, it was almost like an Asian person's literal translation of English. But, seriously, that didn't ruin it for me much. I'm much more captivated by the visuals on this one.
When I have spare time during the "day", I'll see if I can get the subtitles but there is just no way I can read subtitles late at night.
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
I will have to check out my local DVD store, but I do nto hold out hopes they will have it, being in the mountains.
If anyone has a copy they would like to post to me, and I shall post it back, I would be much obliged.
By the way, even though I have not seen it, having been a fan of European films for most of my cinema viewing life, French film in particular, I suspect the American remake will not please those who liked the original, as American mainstream production houses tend to not like subtlety or ambiguity these days.
But who knows, maybe it will be an art house tour de force?
cheers
fog
Film & TV on DVD