DVD A mother and her two teenage sons move to the coastal town of Santa Carla, California, only to discover that the place has a rather serious vampire problem.
Details
After their parents split up, brothers Michael and Sam move with their mother Lucy to the seaside town of Santa Carla to live with their eccentric grandfather. At first the town appears to be a typical laid-back California community, but it doesn't take long for the brothers to realise that Santa Carla has a darker reputation - missing persons posters are everywhere and the locals jokingly refer to the place as the "murder capital of the world".
While exploring the bustling beachfront boardwalk, Michael becomes fascinated with a mysterious girl named Star. Unfortunately for him she already belongs to a biker gang led by the intimidating David. Keen to impress Star, Michael finds himself drawn deeper into the gang's strange late-night world. What begins as harmless thrill-seeking quickly turns into something far more sinister when Michael unknowingly drinks what he believes to be wine during an initiation ceremony. In reality he has taken the first step toward becoming a vampire.
Meanwhile Sam has befriended the self-proclaimed vampire hunters Edgar and Alan Frog, two comic-store owners who firmly believe Santa Carla is crawling with the undead. At first Sam dismisses their theories as comic book nonsense, but when Michael begins showing the tell-tale signs of vampirism - strange cravings, supernatural strength and a disturbing inability to face daylight - Sam realises that the Frog brothers may actually be right.
Determined to save Michael before he fully transforms, Sam teams up with the Frog brothers to track down the gang and destroy the head vampire controlling them. What follows is a chaotic battle involving garlic, holy water, wooden stakes and some impressively messy vampire slayings, all while Lucy unknowingly grows closer to a new boyfriend who may not be quite as harmless as he appears.
Picture & Sound
The picture quality is only average, with DVD exposing a few of the limitations of the original transfer. Some scenes lack the sharpness you might expect and occasional print anomalies are visible. However, the film's strong visual style - dark coastal nights, neon boardwalk lights and smoky underground lairs - still holds up well.
The remastered Dolby Digital soundtrack fares much better. The surround channels are used effectively throughout the film, particularly during the high-energy action scenes and musical sequences. The film's distinctive rock soundtrack, including the memorable theme "Cry Little Sister", really helps bring the atmosphere of Santa Carla to life.
Overall
The Lost Boys represents a major change in direction for the traditional vampire film. Director Joel Schumacher cleverly mixes horror, comedy and a heavy dose of 1980s rock culture to create something that feels both stylish and surprisingly fun. Rather than brooding gothic castles, these vampires ride motorbikes, hang out on the boardwalk and blast rock music while terrorising the town.
What really makes the film work is its cast. Kiefer Sutherland makes a fantastic villain as the charismatic and dangerous gang leader David, while the double act of Corey Haim and Corey Feldman provides plenty of humour as they attempt to take on the undead. Add in some memorable dialogue, an excellent soundtrack and plenty of over-the-top vampire mayhem and you have one of the defining cult films of the 1980s.
If you've never seen The Lost Boys before then it is well worth seeking out. Just try to ignore the truly spectacular hairstyles and questionable fashion choices - although in fairness, they are very much part of the film's charm.
Special features
- Production Notes
- Trailer
