The Lost Boys [1987] - DVD (Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Barnard Hughes, Edward Herrmann - Dir: Joel Schumacher)

This 1987 thriller was a predictable hit with the teen audience it worked overtime to attract. Like most of director Joel Schumacher's films, it's conspicuously designed to push the right marketing and demographic buttons and, granted, there's some pretty cool stuff going on here and there. Take Kiefer Sutherland, for instance. In Stand by Me he played a memorable bully, but here he goes one step further as a memorable bully vampire who leads a tribe of teenage vampires on their nocturnal spree of bloodsucking havoc. Jason Patric plays the new guy in town, who quickly attracts a lovely girlfriend (Jami Gertz), only to find that she might be recruiting him into the vampire fold. The movie gets sillier as it goes along, and resorts to a routine action-movie showdown, but it's a visual knockout (featuring great cinematography by Michael Chapman) and boasts a cast that's eminently able (pardon the pun) to sink their teeth into the best parts of an uneven screenplay. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews of The Lost Boys [1987]

Spoon
UK, Wiltshire
29th September 2008

Blood-y Brilliant!
After quite a few disappointing movie rentals, and being none too impressed by the more recent monster/action films to grace our screens, I decided to try out a classic.

My interest was initially perked up by the fact Kiefer Sutherland was in it. Being a bit of a fan, and liking the premise of the film, I decided to buy the double boxset of the film (it works out cheaper - even if the 2nd one is a bit naff in comparison) and I must say it's one of the best films I have seen in ages!

The story goes thus. Michael and Sam move with their mum to Santa Carla, California, after what seems like a slightly messy divorce. They settle in quickly, Sam befriending two (if not slightly odd) comic book store teens, and Michael befriending agang of bikers...or are they?

Pretty soon, Michaels getting up to behaviour that annoys any parent - staying out all night, sleeping all day - while Sam tries to get to the bottom of his brother's wierd behaviour.

I don't want to blow the plot for anyone that hasn't seen it, but it's a fun and wholly entertaining film, with a rousing soundtrack, one or two jump in your seat moment, and for the Kiefer fans out there, yet another role (besides 24) that he seems made for. Keither plays his role with glee and flips between bully, lovable looking rogue and...something a lot less savoury.

Thoroughly entertaining, with some truly comic moments - and not just for the eighties fashions and HUGE hair - but because it doesn't take itself all that seriously - and to be honest is a much better film for it.

So come on - buy today, pop in the DVD player, go back in time to the eighties and enjoy one of those true eighties classics that belongs up there with the likes of Terminator and Robocop!

Andrew Kerr
Scotland
28th September 2008

The Lost Boys
From the decade that gave us so many brilliant films (The Breakfast Club, Back To The Future, Short Circuit, ET, and Gremlins, just to name a few) comes 'The Lost Boys', another film that proves why the eighties was the decade for film. After a divorce, a flat-broke mother (Dianne Wiest) moves into her father's home in the town of Santa Carla along with her two sons (Corey Haim and Jason Patric). They soon find out that not only is Santa Carla the murder capitol of the world, but is also filled with vampires. Add Kiefer Sutherland and his gang into the mix along with two vampire hunters, a brilliant soundtrack, some brilliant scenes and you've got the perfect recipe for a classic.

Every now and again when I was a child, my mother would let my sister and I stay up late and watch a horror film that was on TV. On one of those occasions we watched The Lost Boy's and I've absolutely loved it even since. I've heard that many vampire enthusiasts didn't like The Lost Boy's. In a way I can see why, it's not not exactly your standard vampire film, it broke the mould and was brave enough to be different. It's not meant to be taken as seriously as say Dracula, and if you can let a few things pass and appreciate the film for what it is (fun), then it promises to entertain you. The casting is fantastic and was spot on, the characters created in the film are brilliant. There is some good well paced action. I loved the 'vampire-eye' views of the attacks throughout the film. In a way the camera work reminded me of The Evil Dead and it has the same eerie effect. The plot itself and it's development is pretty solid, with a twist or two to keep you involved. Some of the scene's are actually pretty scary and they don't need to relay on gore to deliver. Two that come to mind are when they all 'hang-out' on the train track, and of course when Michael is given some Chinese food. The movie soundtrack really is one of the best I've ever heard and its well suited to The Lost Boys.

There is a newly released sequel, but I'm a bit reluctant to watch it. We seem to be in the age of remakes, and I feel that any sequel to such a classic film would be substandard. The Lost Boys however really is a fantastic film, that can be watched time and time again. If you haven't seen it, see it now as I doubt you'll be disappointed, just make sure you buy the double disk version as the special features are worth the cost alone.

aimz
Scotland
14th September 2008

Fantastic
The Lost Boys is an absolute classic. One of my favourite films of all time.Definitely Kiefer Sutherlands best role.A MUST SEE!!

"There only noodles Michael"

movie maniac
south wales
3rd September 2008

the way to do it.
after buying 30 days of night and being very dissapointed by the film , i decided to buy this old offering and totally enjoyed the film even though i had seen it a few times before its funny the story is good there is load of tension in fact everything a good film needs,instead of bad acting and buckets of blood the most modern vampire flicks offer.
the lost boys is probabley the most enjoyable vampire film over the last 25 years teenagers will love it and all film collections should have a copy .money well spent.

kevs355
UK
31st August 2008

Iconic 80's classic!
A classic blast from the past with a kick-ass soundtrack, great acting and the two Coreys! There's lots of kinda scary/jumpy in parts and the 2 disc version has loads of extras inc. deleted scenes etc... so, if you havn't seen this already SHAME ON YOU! lol

Amend your error immediately and BUY!!! just make sure you avoid the dire newly released sequel.