The Lost Boys (1987)

  I don’t normally review movies I’ve already seen. I only did that a couple of times when I first started out on this website, when I did The Room and Jerry Maguire. But I thought I would give that another shot after rewatching The Lost Boys. I loved this movie when I saw it the first time and I loved it even more when I watched it on its annual tradition at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (where the movie was filmed). And guess what? Nothing’s changed at all. The movie is still just as fun and ridiculous as I remember it and anyone who knows anything about me at this point knows that I’m a fan of 80’s films. And this film is completely soaked in the 80’s. From the soundtrack, hairstyles, clothing, dialogue, everything just screams this decade. It even has some famous 80’s faces like Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, and Alex Winter. I’m not sure if I’ve ever enjoyed watching a film with vampires more than this one and I don’t know if I ever will. Well, Blade is a close second but this film is always going to hold a special place in my heart. I have more to add to this cult classic, so let’s revisit the blood-soaked land of Santa Carla and see if we can learn something new.

     For anyone who doesn’t already know, the film follows two brothers (Jason Patric and Corey Haim) who move to a seemingly laid-back California beach town and soon discover it’s home to a dangerous group of vampires. As one of them gets drawn into their world, the other races to understand what’s happening before it’s too late. I don’t know how much more I can say about this movie that I haven’t already said but there’s so much to enjoy about it, like the cast. Apart from who I mentioned, the film also includes Dianne Wiest as the brothers’ divorced mom, Barnard Hughes, Edward Herrmann, Jamison Newlander, Brooke McCarter, Billy Wirth, and Chance Michael Corbitt. I thought everyone did a pretty good job in blending camp, teenage angst, and legitimate menace. It could be over-the-top at times but that’s also what I enjoyed about it. The film also offers a unique visual style that you don’t normally see in vampire cinema. I’m not sure I can find much to complain about this movie. I mean sure, the characters do say the name “Michael” a total of 114-118 times. Damn, and I thought I was repetitive. I wouldn’t exactly call that too big of an issue though, because I still had a blast giving this film a rewatch and director Joel Schumacher did a good job in bringing his crazy energy to this flick. I don’t think I’ve watched this movie since I saw it at the Boardwalk but it was nice to check it out again. In a way, it was like catching up with an old friend. A very campy, over-the-top, and bloody friend, but still a friend nonetheless. What more could anyone want from a film with vampires?

     After giving this movie another viewing, I think the only thing that I’ve learned is that it still kicks ass. Yeah, it’s more insane than when I overexplain things but I don’t really care. I had fun and that’s what counts. Having said that, I would have to give this movie a 9 out of 10. So, if you’re into vampires, 80’s campiness, or if you’re just looking to have a good time, then go ahead and check this film out if you haven’t already. Funny, stylish, and very bloodthirsty.