El Pequeño Vampiro

Back in the 80's, making Childrens Films was eaiser. There was no need for hypnotic techno background beats. Directors didn't include glitzy light shows whenever good and evil fought, Pokemon-style. Some of the best fantasy films come from the 80s and featured bad acting, horrible continuity, and rather icky special effects and cinamatography as a whole.



"The Little Vampire" which stars mostly Jonathan Lipnicki, but also his little fanged friend Rollo Weeks, looks 10-20 years old but it actually a new release by New Line Cinema. And while for many this sounds like the ultimate rip of the dark children's fantasy based on some pretty famous books (at least in Europe), in actuality I think it's this that gives the film class.

I cringe every time Jonathan's character says "dude" and cringe harder when Rollo lays out the vampric lore dribble on why they don't bite humans. (They dine on cows.) But it becomes harder and harder to dislike someone so charming as either boy as the chase for the medallion continues.



The medallion is most of the time gaurded by Rookery who may be one of the most complete characters in the film. From the moment one sees his vampire hunting contraption looking like something from either "Mad Max" or "Tremors," those who are not children in the audience know this isn't going to be your typical kid's flick. The dark, creepyness continues throughout it's length, and someone in Oscar town might want to think on giving some nods for costume and art direction. Nothing beats the expressions on Rollo Weeks' face when he takes Lipnicki for their flights.

Alas, the film lags and is generally one big chase. The vampires want the amulet, the vampire hunter wants the vampires, and Jonathan's parents just want thier son to be normal. A tricky thing a dark movie appropriate for children is. If they had added more action, it wouldn't have worked. And in my opinion, even with the scares present, it probably only worked half way.



But the attempt looks sooo good.

The Little Vampire: B

The Little Vampire is a delightful film about a little boy from America, Tony, who is teased and picked on at his new school in Scotland by the local laird's obnoxiously arrogant grandsons. He meets and befriends Rudolph, the youngest son of a family of charming vampires, who are trying to save themselves from Rookery, a vicious and unscrupulous vampire killer. It is rated PG for some mild peril, to which I would add that very young children would need to have some of the life and death issues explained. Both my sons, ages 11 and 6, just loved the movie -- enough that my six year old wanted to see it again, and I didn't mind taking him. The lessons my kids learned were mostly about friends coming in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the value of loyalty and dedication to a cause. There are enough plot twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat (at least the first viewing!), and although some of the dialogue is banal and predictable, some of it is deliciously witty. Last but not least, the costuming and special effects are wonderfully well done, and go a long way to making even some of the silly scenes very impressive. All in all, I would recommend it highly (to anyone who doesn't have trouble with the notion that vampires are not minions of Satan) as good, clean, amusing fun.

I've loved all things concerning vampires since the first time I saw The Lost Boys. (Obviously not an Oscar-worthy film, but it certainly is entertaining.) When I saw previews for The Little Vampire, I must admit that I thought it looked really, really bad. I had the opportunity to watch it a few days ago and was pleasantly surprised by the film. I was impressed by the special effects, especially Rudolph's bat form. The cows were an interesting addition, too. I loved the costumes and makeup. The story and plot weren't all that original and were very predictable, but I think kids from 6 to 12 would enjoy those aspects of the film. I thought Rollo Weeks and the actress who played his sister, Anna, were terrific and I hope to see them both in more films. Jonathan Lipnicki was cute, but is that kid ever going to grow? Sheesh, he'll look 6 when graduates from college. I liked most of the adult characters, especially the vampire parents. I've seen Richard E. Grant and Alice Krige both in other movies and I enjoyed their performances. I would give this movie a 7 out of 10. It's fun to watch and only a little bit too cutesy.

The little vampire is not a serious film and you do have to accept that when you're watching it. It is genuinely funny and shows a new side to vampires. The child actors are pretty good as well as the adults. It is overall a rewatchable and charming film.

When I first saw the movie, I thought it was the cutest thing. I'm 17 years old and I'm not ashamed to say that I really like this movie. It had a cool plot that made it not so much of a kid movie. And it really shows you can make friends in even the weirdest conditions. Movies like this, allows you to sit back and forget about the stress of everyday and you can let the little kid inside you take over full of imagination and amazement. Really this is an excellent movie who need to escape without really escaping!