American remakes of foreign films are genuinely terrible and generally butcher the original (yes, there are exceptions). Matt Reeves the director behind “Cloverfield,” is planning on remaking the lucid and wintry vampire film “Let The Right One In,” and when we heard this we honestly winced. “Cloverfield,” is as subtle as a freight train and the Swedish teen vampire flick (directed by Tomas Alfredson) is a very thoughtful and nuanced one full of icy Scandinavian atmosphere and compassionate tenderness – he seems incredible ill-suited to the material.
But, it’s happening and Reeves explained his intentions to MTV and we watched with arms folded skepticism.
“It’s a terrific movie and a fantastic book. I think it could be a really touching haunting and terrifying film. I’m really excited about what it could be. I had such a personal reaction when I saw the movie and when I read the book. I felt like there was an opportunity to do something incredibly personal while still being in a genre arena. It’s an amazing mixture of a coming of age story and a really scary horror film. It’s touching and scary. It’s an incredibly touching love story and a really scary vampire movie.”
Ok, to be fair, he is saying all the right things, but it’s been done, what will be bring new to it? “I think it could be a really touching haunting and terrifying film.” Uhh, it was a touching and (mostly) terrifying film. Is his idea to make it scarier, cause that’s missing the point dude.
“I’m keeping it in the early 80s. I love the setting of it being in a snowy locale. I’ve been thinking of Colorado, maybe Littleton,” he said. Umm, ok, again. Not a major change, it’s an Americanized locale, so what? Either way, it’s apparently coming soon.
“Overture wants it as soon as possible. They would love me to do it next so that’s what we’re shooting for at the moment.” You’ll have to convince us this is worthwhile first.
