After moving to a new town, two brothers are convinced that the area is frequented by vampires.
Well here is the start of my “Lost Boys” franchise review, I’m really excited to be reviewing this franchise, so lets get on with it!
The 80’s, it was a magical time not just for Horror films but for the whole movie industry. “The Lost Boys” is one of those fantastic movies that has stood the test of time from that era and just over 25 years later is still considered to be one of the greatest vampire films ever made and for very good reason. Although you wouldn’t think it would’ve turned out the way it did with the problems that were going on behind the scenes. Executive producer Richard Donner originally intended to direct the movie himself, but as production languished, he moved onto Lethal Weapon and eventually hired Joel Schumacher for the job. Also after Richard Donner passed on directing, Mary Lambert was brought in but left due to “creative differences.”
Also the original screenplay written by Janice Fischer and James Jeremias was originally about a bunch of “Goonie-type 5th-6th grade kid vampires”, with the Frog Brothers being “chubby 8 year old cub scouts”, and Star being a boy instead of a love interest. Joel Schumacher hated that idea and told the producers he would only sign on if he could change them to teenagers, as he thought it would be much sexier and more interesting. I’m so glad that Schumacher got to change it.
Believe it or not a-lot of people where actually against the film, especially a-lot of Horror fans. People saw the film as a threat to the genre in the same sort of way that people saw “Twilight” as a damnation of our beloved genre, and whilst I won’t get drawn into that argument I will state that “Twilight” has nothing on “The Lost Boys” and doesn’t even be deserved to be mentioned in the same sentence.
The film launched the films cast into stardom, this was Corey Haim and Corey Feldman’s first film together, which marked the start of a popular 80’s trend “The Two Corey’s” and we obviously can’t forget about Keifer Sutherland. I will also never forget the first time I watched this film, when I saw the vampire ‘Marko’ and I blurted out “OH MY GOD IT’S BILL!!!” Yes I got excited about seeing Alex Winter in the film, it’s a shame he didn’t have more lines/scenes in the film.
“The Lost Boys” is a film I consider essential viewing, not just for Horror fans but for anyone who’s a fan of films in general. In my opinion it’s one of the greatest vampire films ever made and it’s never lost it’s magic touch. Now all together now…. “Cry, little sister…”
Miscellaneous facts about the film:
Kiefer Sutherland was only meant to wear the black gloves he wears as David when riding the motorbike. However, while messing around on the bike behind-the-scenes, he fell off, breaking his arm so he had to wear the gloves through the whole movie to cover his cast.
Both the bandstand that the band is playing on the first time Michael sees Star and the Frog Brothers comic book shop were destroyed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Keenan Wynn and John Carradine (a veteran of vampire films) were both original choices for Grandpa. Wynn died right before filming and Carradine was too ill.
The title of the film is a reference to the companions of Peter Pan, who remained forever young.
Both Corey Feldman, who plays Edgar Frog, and Barnard Hughes, who plays Grandpa, share the same birthday, July 16th.
This movie invented the phrase “vamp out”, which has passed into common usage on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Though almost all of Kelly Jo Minter’s scenes are deleted from the film, and the only true appearance she makes is over Lucy’s shoulder in the video store, she still received billing the film’s opening credits. Her scenes can be viewed in the 2004 Lost Boys DVD special features.
Sam (Corey Haim) has a poster of Rob Lowe on the outside of his closet door. On the DVD commentary, Joel Schumacher says that it was there because had recently directed Lowe in St. Elmo’s Fire.
The names of the Frog brothers, Edgar and Alan, are a reference to Edgar Allan Poe, the well-known writer of horror fiction.
Characters in the movie say the name ‘Michael’ approximately 118 times.
Corey Feldman said in the documentary “bloodsucking cinema” that all the blood had glitter in it and was “slimier than other fake blood.”
When Max first arrives at Sam, Lucy and Michael’s house for dinner he does not enter until invited in by Michael. This echoes many vampire films in that, according to vampire myths, vampires must be invited in before they can enter someone’s home.
The movie was filmed in Santa Cruz, CA. Santa Cruz in Spanish means “Holy Cross,” which is an interesting connection given the vampire subject matter and their vulnerability to crucifixes.
In the opening sequence there is a random crowd shot that includes an older man in the distance with thick glasses wearing a Gothic looking hooded black robe. While his appearance is in line with the “spooky” factor of the film, he is in fact a semi-nomadic Christian.
It is not shown for long, but Laddie is the missing boy on the milk carton that Lucy picks up off the floor. He is not a relative of Star, just a boy the vampires picked up as a companion for Star.
Both of the two 1987 movies about a “family” of attractive vampires who lure a young man and make him into a half-vampire before he is eventually “cured” (Near Dark and The Lost Boys) feature a son of Jason Miller in their casts: Joshua John Miller is in Near Dark, and his half-brother Jason Patric is in The Lost Boys.
The second time Sam visits the comic shop two men can be seen playing pinball. The guy with the facial hair is Joe Ferrara who actually owned the comic shop Atlantis fantasy world. The comic shop has now moved location but is still owed by Joe.
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