Stories about night creatures with long fangs who suck out the blood of humans (a.k.a. vampires) have been around for centuries. Some of the earliest mentions can be traced back to the ninth century and numerous religions and cultures offer tales of the "undead". Therefore, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that there have countless books, television shows, and movies based on vampires that run the gamut of genres. From horror to comedy and drama to young adult media, stories including vampires have always been popular and made money. In 1987 Director Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever) brought his version of vampire horror/comedy to movie theaters with The Lost Boys. This month, in honor of the film's 35th anniversary, Warner Bros. has released it in 4K for the first time.
After their parents divorced, Michael (Jason Patric; Sleepers) and Sam (Corey Haim; License to Drive) moved to Santa Clara, CA with their mom, Lucy (Dianne Wiest; Bullets Over Broadway). There Michael meets Star (Jami Gertz; Twister) who seems to be attached to David (Keifer Sutherland; 24) though their relationship is unclear. When David lures Michael into their "group" and tricks him into drinking blood, Star tells Michael he is a half-vampire. As long as he doesn't feed he can be cured if the head vampire is killed. Michael, Sam and, the self-proclaimed vampire hunters, brothers Edgar (Corey Feldman; Goonies) and Alan (Jamison Newlander; The Blob) Frog suddenly find themselves on a quest to find out who is the head vampire and kill him.
While young and fairly unknown at the time, this film starred a cast of up-and-coming actors with tons of potential. Sutherland is the stereotypical vampire in charge who believes himself to be invincible. Patric is the young heartthrob and he and Gertz have genuine chemistry making their scene powerful. The two Coreys are a great team, which is why they worked together often and were friends in real life.
While the video quality of this new 4K transfer is incredibly detailed, there is still some graininess in the darker scenes. This makes the 2160p visuals uneven at times but overall the picture is sharp and detailed, making this version of the film one that has never been seen before. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is equally as impressive with crisp dialogue and a robust soundtrack that enhances the viewers' enjoyment.
Probably the most disappointing aspect of this release is the extras. The Lost Boys Ultra HD Blu-ray contains previously released special features including:
4K UHD Disc
Commentary by Joel Schumacher
Blu-ray Disc
Commentary by Joel Schumacher, The Lost Boys: A Retrospective", "Inside the Vampire's Cave: A Director's Vision", "Inside the Vampire's Cave: Comedy vs. Horror", "Inside the Vampire's Cave: Fresh Blood-A New Look at Vampires", "Inside the Vampire's Cave: The Lost Boys Sequel?", "Vamping Out: The Undead Creations of Greg Cannon", "The Return of Sam and the Frog Brothers: Haimster & Feldog-The Story of the 2 Coreys", "The Return of Sam and the Frog Brothers: Multi-Angle Video Commentary by Corey Haim, Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander", The Lost Scenes, Lou Gramm "Lost in the Shadows" Music Video, and the Theatrical Trailer.
As Horror/Vampire movies go, this one is on the tamer side but no less impactful. The film has become a cult classic and continues to gain fans throughout the world despite having premiered 35 years ago. The fact that The Lost Boys still holds up over time is a testament to the writers, the director and the cast. Suggesting fans purchase this anniversary, the 4K combo pack is a no-brainer. You won't be disappointed!
Grade: B+
