Joel Schumacher directs an 80’s cult classic with an epic soundtrack, a scene stealing saxophone player and unforgettable quotes that leave you thirsty for more! This July will mark 35 years since Kiefer Sutherland rocked the blonde mullet in his biker glory in The Lost Boys – and we haven’t stopped thinking about him since.
Jason Patric and the late Corey Haim star as brothers who move to Santa Carla with their newly-divorced mother (Dianne Wiest). However, things are not all that they seem when Michael (Patric) falls in with the troublesome local boardwalk gang, led by belligerent mullet-wearing David (Kiefer Sutherland). Sleep all day, party all night, it’s every teen’s dream… Until the body count starts to rise.
The Lost Boys is full of stunning visuals and camera-work, shown from the very beginning. The opening shot glides across the dark ocean to the beat of Cry Little Sister. It’s chilling and exhilarating all at once as the sensation of flying is mimicked seconds later. The boardwalk carnival is revealed ahead of us, where many of the film’s key moments take place – a seemingly innocent funfair turned hunting ground to most nefarious drifters. The camera shot used here is picked up on several times over the course of the movie, but it is with this opening shot that we are captivated and anticipating what is it to come.
Schumacher graces the traditional portrayal of vampires in the first 30 seconds alone. Complete with the screeching of what is presumably bats, The Lost Boys retains popular belief about the blood-suckers but expresses originality with a few game changing rules of their own. With a clever little twist, Schumacher’s classic adds its own personal touch on the mythology of vampires; it ‘vamps’ the lore up if you will. Just when you think you’re up to speed with the legends, the rug is swiped from beneath you with an unexpected curveball. Maybe it’s best to ease up on the garlic for now.
The Lost Boys would not be nearly as memorable without its binge-worthy soundtrack. From Lost in the Shadows to Cry Little Sister (better know as the main theme), every song captures the scene perfectly. Whether they’re racing on their motorbikes or succumbing to the temptations of David’s ministrations, it’s not hard to lose yourself in the moment, watching with bated breath as the concern for Michael grows.
The transition between sequences and songs is seamless, especially at the beginning of the film. After witnessing a violent altercation near the boardwalk, the scene cuts to shots of the locals whilst Michael and Sam arrive in the town. People Are Strange starts to play as we observe an unruly bunch of characters. Clearly, there is more to the town than meets the eye.
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What is one thing that could make this timeless masterpiece better, you ask? Well, a scene stealing musical performance from multi-instrumentalist, Tim Cappello, of course. Cappello exudes sass. He may even have created the term ‘cool’ with his chiseled bod, flowing locks of hair and dance moves for days. In fact, he’s so trendy that his character doesn’t even have a name, credited only as Beach Concert Star. I don’t know about anyone else but when I reflect on The Lost Boys, it’s this hip-shaking saxophone player that comes to mind first.
Musicality aside, his introduction is actually featured in quite an integral scene that propels the story forward – the arrival of Michael’s love interest and David’s trusted companion, Star (Jami Gertz). Not only is Cappello the envy of every movie-goer, he serves a greater purpose – he might be the real hero of this film. Had Michael never attended this concert, he would have never fallen onto David’s path. On the other hand, had Sam not tagged along, the younger brother probably wouldn’t have encountered his comic-book loving and vampire slaying pals, The Frog Brothers (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander). Really, the pair only have Beach Concert Star to thank.
The attention to detail throughout the film is remarkable. Everything has a deeper intention. Subtle clues are left everywhere, tying into the plot when you least expect it. It’s worth watching several times to be sure you don’t miss even the smallest of indicators. Once you spot them, it’s hard not to be impressed with Schumacher’s craftiness.
There is truly never a dull moment. The balance between horror and comedy works surprisingly well considering it was one of the first movies to try out this hybrid-genre. It doesn’t try too hard to be funny; the dialogue and actions of the characters come across naturally, which is a credit to the actors.
Patric and Haim have a wonderful dynamic as bickering siblings who would do absolutely anything to protect the other. It’s their relationship that establishes a solid foundation for the rest of the film to ultimately succeed. At its core, the film is about brotherhood, which shines whenever this pair are together. The two make Michael and Sam’s bond believable, leaving you rooting for them before the horror has even begun.
Even after all these years, The Lost Boys holds up better than a couple of modern vampire flicks. For the most part, it is one of the few that has aged well, with only a tiny amount of dated exceptions. A timeless classic in every sense of the word. Fun, adventurous and full of charm, it’s one you can’t get enough of. So, order in some food, relax and remember… They’re only noodles, Michael.
About The Lost Boys
Teenage brothers Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam (Corey Haim) move with their mother (Dianne Wiest) to a small town in northern California. While the younger Sam meets a pair of kindred spirits in geeky comic-book nerds Edward (Corey Feldman) and Alan (Jamison Newlander), the angst-ridden Michael soon falls for Star (Jami Gertz) — who turns out to be in thrall to David (Kiefer Sutherland), leader of a local gang of vampires. Sam and his new friends must save Michael and Star from the undead.
