When the older brother, Michael, goes into town for a live concert, he runs into a rather attractive woman named Star (Jami Gertz). Star introduces Michael to her friends, who just happen to be vampires, and they decide to invite Michael to be one of them. Unbeknownst to Michael, he drinks the blood of David (Kiefer Sutherland), the leader of a band of motorcycle riding teenage vampires, thus giving Michael this supernatural dark gift. However, he must make his first kill before becoming a true creature of the night. Only one thing can save Michael from an eternity of bloodsucking. The head vampire must be killed. But who is the head vampire, and can he be found before Michael gives in to temptation? Will Sam and his newfound friends be willing and able to help Michael before it's too late?

This film is a classic, light-hearted 80's foray into the horror genre, complete with horrible wardrobe, glam rock, goofy humor, and a stellar cast performing a great screenplay with a cohesive plot. There are indeed some great lines in this film that are quite memorable. The Frog brothers, in particular, serve as some cute comic relief. The effects and make-up are outstanding, and this is really noticeable in the final, knock-down, drag-out fight in the end of the movie. The cinematography is also really well done (for example, the aerial shots when the vampires are flying towards the house).

This movie is not meant to be taken very seriously, and it is certainly not Anne Rice or Bram Stoker by any means, but it is some great old-fashioned weekend entertainment. Overall this is a great movie that everyone who grew up in the 80's should definitely own. Moreover, it's a great addition to anyone's vampire or horror collection. If you can enjoy a light-hearted romp through vampire mythology, then definitely pick this film up!

A small downside to this DVD is that there are few extras. If you merely want a great movie at a low price, then pick up this DVD. Otherwise, there is a two-disc set coming out soon that should be worth checking out!


Not Just Ordinary Vampires   July 30, 2000
 20 out of 20 found this review helpful

As one of two teenage vampire movies released in 1987, (the other was the miserable "Near Dark")"The Lost Boys," is a hip, modern retelling of the vampire myth set in a Southern California setting. Brothers Michael (Patric) and Sam (Haim) are the newcomers to the small seaside town of Santa Clara, which is known as the murder capital of the world due to the mysterious disappearances of many town residents.

At the town's amusement park, Michael gets himself involved with a gang of vampires, who appear as normal street punks. Meanwhile Sam, meets the Frog Brothers, who run a comic book store at night, but are vampire hunters by day. After Michael himself becomes a vampire due to drinking the blood of a vampire, he is determined to find a way to save himself, the girl he loves, and his family from the impending danger that lurks them.

Directed by Joel Schumacher ("Batman Forever," "Batman & Robin," "Flatliners," etc.), the film's appeal to teenagers is due to its young cast, great soundtrack, and great, yet campy storyline. Dianne Wiest is excellent as Michael and Sam's mother, and Kiefer Sutherland in one of his first major roles is wicked as David, the leader of the gang.

Keep an eye out for a pre-"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adveture" Alex Winter as Marco, one of the vampires. This film also marked the first collaboration of the two Cories, Cory Haim & Cory Feldman, in a string of movies they made together in the 1980's ("License to Drive," "Dream A Little Dream," etc.) that capitalized on their teen-idol status. Reportedley, Jason Patric (who is Jackie Gleason's grandson) hates it when fans mention this movie as one of his best works, but the truth is it still remains one of the late 1980's cult classics.

If you like a funny, yet scary movie in the same tradition as "Scram," then check out this movie. It gave me many memories watching it on DVD as it did when I first saw it at the theater.


"Thou shalt not die. . ."   December 11, 2004
 16 out of 20 found this review helpful

THE LOST BOYS successfully blends vampires with the innocuous Eighties. Sure, there's some blood, gore, fangs, and fright, but ultimately the viewer is overwhelmed by all the spiked, superficial big hair. There's more hair spray than horror to this little jewel, but that's alright: THE LOST BOYS still delivers a gruesome good time, augmented by some jolly good laughs.

Santa Carla, California. A beach, an ocean, a free-spirited community, a teen haven. Bingo: Vampire paradise. Into this swirling netherworld comes a divorced mother and her two sons; it doesn't take long (like, the first night) before a grinning, snarling pack of teen vamps comes calling. One of the sons becomes "tainted"; the other enlists the help of a couple of goober brothers to reverse the curse. The movie rushes like a Cyndi Lauper MTV video to its aggressive conclusion, and all I can say after watching the carnage and destruction is I'm darned glad I'm not a plumber.

Jason Patric and Corey Haim are fine and divine as the troubled brothers. Kiefer Sutherland can be spooky simply reading a gingerbread recipe, so he shines as the ringleader of the teen vampire brood. Dianne West and Edward Herrmann provide boring adult roles, while crusty Barnard Hughes, a most eccentric grandpa, is given the film's absolute best line. THE LOST BOYS is good Eighties stuff--a great visual treat with a kicker musical soundtrack that will leave you twisting your hair. . .and wondering where that hair spray is.
--D. Mikels


THE BEST VAMPIRE MOVIE EVER   September 10, 2000
 15 out of 17 found this review helpful

When this movie came out in the eighties, I dont think many people realized that it would become a classic film from that decade. Its not just a good vampire movie, its a good movie...period.

Jason patric and Corey Haim are brothers whos mother has moved them to be with their grandfather. Their new home is Santa Clara, otherwise known as the murder capital of the world. While there the older brother Michael (Patrick) meets a gang of teenagers who just happen to be vampires responsible for most of the murders. The younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) runs into a couple of self professed vampire killers. The fact that they are twelve doesnt douse their intensity. Michael appears to be on his way to becoming a vampire and the only way to stop it from happening is to kill the head vampire (The identity of which is revealed at the climax of the movie)

The movie flows nicely with a good script. The acting is good, the effects are good, the music is great. The humor throughout the movie adds some chuckles without forcing it. It all gels together into the best vampire movie I have ever seen. (My humble opinion).

The movie is one of my top ten favorites, but I was a little dissapointed with the DVD. There are very few extras, just a trailer and some production notes. Still worth adding to your DVD collection, but I have my fingers crossed for a collector's edition.


Half-hearted horror for the teen crowd   May 10, 2000
 9 out of 14 found this review helpful

Joel Schumacher's teenage horror movie "The Lost Boys" attempts to have its cake and eat it. There's plenty of thrills, but the dramatic narrative is constantly undercut by lame attempts at humor. Jason Patric is the eye-candy hero who moves to Santa Carla, California, with his family and is immediately recruited by Kiefer Sutherland's band of predatory vampires. Michael Chapman's location photography is stunning and Schumacher builds plot and characters with effortless grace, but Corey Haim's witless comic relief (as the beleaguered younger brother) is a constant itrritation, and the introduction of the 'Frog brothers' (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander) - the teenage proprietors of a comic book store who also moonlight as vampire hunters (!) - will cheapen the entire film for a sizable proportion of the audience. Still, Dianne Wiest, Edward Herrmann and Barnard Hughes provide value for money as the token grown-ups, and Bo Welch's production design emphasizes the film's modern Gothic ambitions.

Despite the presence of dot-crawl, Warners' DVD is the best rendition of "The Lost Boys" on home video to date. Whereas the previous widescreen laserdisc was poorly framed at 1.95:1, this anamorphic (2.35:1) disc reinstates the complete Panavision frame. The Dolby Digital track is clean and forceful, and there's a theatrical trailer which completes the package. A full-screen/pan-scan version of the film is included which provides beautiful closeups of the good-looking cast, but is otherwise worthless.