The Lost Boys

Starring: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Diane Weist, Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz
Written by: James Jeremias, Janice Fischer

Director: Joel Schumacher
Year: 1987

Rating: * * * *  Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *  )  Total: * * * * *

Recent divorcee Lucy moves herself and her two boys in with her Father. It's bad enough that they're moving to the murder capital of the world, but what's worse, this town has vampires.

This vampiric spin on the idea of Peter Pan centers on the two boys. Michael (Jason Patric) the older boy, falls for a woman named Star, who's associated with some local biker's, all young adults themselves. They take Michael under their wing and initiate him into their club. Unbeknownst to Michael, he's not just being initiated into their club, for these guys are vampires, and they seek to bring him over to their side. His younger brother Sam, meets up with a couple strange characters named Edward and Allen Frog. Sam and the Frog Brothers share a love of comic books, but the Frogs prefer horror. They view them as survival manuals as they suspect vampires are real, and fancy themselves true vampire hunters. Sam scoffs at the idea at first till he notices his Brother's recent behavior. In order to save his brother, they must confront these Lost Boys, kill the head vampire, and restore Michael to normal.

This is probably the definitive Vampire film of the 80's, if not of all time. Joel Schumacher balances this film well, with enough comedy to keep you laughing, and enough horror to build suspense and tension. Yet neither detracts from the other, making the overall experience purely enjoyable. Joel borrows just enough lore from established vampire mythology to support the continuity of this film. Diane Weist is superb as the docile mother who tries to please everyone. Barnard Hughes is perfect as the cooky Grandfather who loves taxidermy and the tv guide. A killer soundtrack, that with he exception of INXS, Lou Gramm, Roger Daltery, and Jimmy Barnes, are all unheard of bands putting in solid performances. Gerard McMann's Cry Little Sister is epic. Beauty Has Her Way by Mummy Calls has good contemporary sound, with a Simple Minds vibe. Echo & The Bunnymen do a solid cover of People Are Strange, but Roger Daltery's Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me is fantastic. 

SEE THE TRAILER: The Lost Boys