Saturday 2 November 2024

David at the Movies: Stephen King's vampire saga hasn't lost its bite!


  SALEM'S LOT


I'm glad I didn't let all the negative chat about this remake put me off seeing it. In my opinion the movie does justice to Stephen King's source material (and I note King has a co-writer credit). Yes, there's a lot left out, but all the key ingredients are here: the arrival of Barlow's coffin à la Dracula in Whitby; the Glick boys, including the famous "let me in the window" moment; the jumpy graveyard scene; Ben's relationships with Susan and Mark. Young Mark has a beefed-up role, which makes a powerful impact; and the mother-from-hell surprise and the huge set-piece climax are welcome innovations. 

This pacy version has some of the freshness and pizzazz that made The Lost Boys and Fright Night so much fun, and I say a big Bravo to writer/director Gary Dauberman.

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