Fright Night Part 2

There are so few sequels that do work, and have something a bit more to say from the original. Fright Night 2 is one of those. It has more to say on the idea of the supernatural in real-life (Charlie's inability to deal with the events of the original movie, Vincent's trying to avoid the whole thing), and gives us a decent follow-up to the original with Dandridge's sister on a revenge kick. There are more nods to Stoker and the original vampire mythology (the reference to wild roses, for instance), and the new vampire's sidekickers are equally as weird as Jonathan Stark's Billy Cole in the original. See it if you can: it doesn't seem to be a movie that shows up very often.

Three years after killing the vampire in the original, Charlie has started to believe it was all his imagination and starts to forget that vampires truly exist - until four strangers lead by Regina, a noted actress, arrives at Peter Vincent's house and starts to have an unhealthy interest in Charlie, Peter and Charlie's new girlfriend Alex. It becomes clear that Regina is Jerry's (the vampire in the original film) sister and she is determined to get revenge on the friends and plans to turn Charlie into a vampire - so that he can face his punishment for all eternity. Though not as good as the original, I still enjoyed this film. The cast of the first returns and the script is still sprinkled with plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor, but it's not as fun as the first was. it was just missing that special "Umph". The strongest aspect of this film is the various special effects incarnations, which look great. These range from a man's face turning translucent and melting to stop-motion bat-like monsters. The special effects in this film look much better than in the first and are delivered in moderation (The ending notwithstanding) so they are effectively used and not their just to dazzle us. Fairly gory at times, and the effects-packed finale is certainly fun to watch. Julie Carmen is also really good as the vampiress. Pretty enjoyable sequel, rent it but don't buy it before you see it.

After three years of therapy Charley Brewster, now a college student, is convinced that Jerry Dandridge was a serial killer posing as a vampire. But when Regine, a mysterious actress and her entourage move into Peter Vincent's apartment block, the nightmare starts again - and this time it's personal!

Fright Night is my favourite 80's horror film, which blended vampires, humour, thrills and special effects with great ease- of course, the main attraction were Roddy McDowell, Williams Ragsdale and Sarandon, and only two return in this sequel, and their chemistry and interaction is on fire - Julie Carmen plays the sister of the vampire in the first instalment and she looks sinister enough.

How did this sequel measure? When I first saw it years ago, I was disappointed, finding it uneven with the first half really good but the rest quite flat. Yes, it had great special effects, a seductive but sinister lead vampire, a memorable sequence of a vampire in skates, and good climax, but it didn't impress me on the whole. I found it dragged in the second half and was slower paced.

Now? With a second viewing my opinion has changed a bit. It's quite watchable, entertaining with a good plot and some good scary atmosphere, however I still think it lacks the energy and humour of the first film. But then that's hard to achieve. Fright Night 2 stands on its own merit and a worthy sequel.

I enjoyed this true sequel to the original Fright Night(1985).once again Charley Brewster(William Ragsdale)and Pter Vincent(Roddy McDowall)return to battle some new vampires.this film,unlike the original film has some humorous bits mostly courtesy of John Gries who played Louie.the musical score was once again done by Brad Fiedel,and was again very appropriate to the movie.the acting is good enough for the most part.i thought Traci Lind was good as Charlie's girlfriend.however,Julie Carmen,who plays Regine,really didn't do anything for me.I also thought the special makeup effects were inferior to the original.nevertheless,the movie is watchable and a worthy sequel.Fright Night Part 2 is a 6/10

Follow up to the 1985 horror hit isn't quite as good as the original, but is an amusing enough sequel.

Charley Brewster is now in college, when Dandridge's sister rolls into town with her entourage.

Fright Night Part 2 benefits from a well written story that has some of the spirit of the original film and plenty nicely gruesome special FX. Sure, it's not as charismatically done as the first movie, but it's a sequel with big shoes to fill! Director Tommy Lee Wallace does pretty well with giving the movie some style and solid action. The sequel also has a share of dark humor. Brad Fiedel's beautiful rock score is used once again and Deborah Holland does a great cover on the song 'Come to Me'.

Roddy McDowall and William Ragsdale both make welcomed returns as their original characters and come off as the best of the cast. Julie Carmen does make a fairly decent vamp villain though, while Jon Gries, Brian Thompson, and Russell Clark make for some good freak geeks.

Again, it's not the original, but as sequels go it certainly isn't bad either!

*** out of ****