DVD Review: The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys
(DVD Lost)

This 1987 film is something of a cult favorite. It was moderately successful at the time of its original release but has gained much more of a following in the decades since, with huge audiences for both its VHS and DVD releases. It inspired both 2008 and 2010 sequels (loosely connected to the original) as well as several comic-book storylines.

 

The Lost Boys was directed by Joel Schumacher, and stars Dianne Wiest as Lucy Emerson, moving her two sons, Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam (Corey Haim) to the Southern California coastal community of Santa Carla to live with her cantankerous old father (played by Barnard Hughes). Michael is an angry teen and strikes up a friendship with some quirky and questionable types hanging out in town every night. Sam is more trusting and innocent, and strikes up a friendship with two paranormal-obsessed town boys — “the Frog brothers” — who insist Santa Clara is infested with vampires. The only problem is…they’re right! And the vampires, all sexy and young-appearing (and led by Kiefer Sutherland as David) want to make Michael one of their own.

 

This is a funny, scary and very atmospheric production, with some absolutely terrific performances, and some unforgettable lines. The soundtrack is filled with great music — check out the soundtrack album for some great October music to listen to. Other noteworthy performances include Edward Herrmann as Max, Lucy’s new love interest, Jami Gertz, Michael’s friend also being courted for the vampire life, and Corey Feldman, who nearly steals the film as Edgar Frog (the only character to appear in all three films in this series).

 

( Internet Movie Database entry for this film ) | ( official The Lost Boys Facebook page )

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

Have you watched this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!