If you recall my original review of "Let the Right One In" from a couple of years ago, you know I loved this movie. It was a Sweedish film released in 2008 which chronicled the life of small high school student who's ignored at home and bullied at school. His life is one un-ending cycle of abuse and neglect until new neighbors move in, an older man and young girl who appears to be about his age.

What unfolds is a story of love, betrayal, commitment and revenge. While I thought the movie was great I didn't expect it to get the "hollywood treatment" so soon. Released under the title "Let Me In", the U.S. version tells basically the same story with some major differneces.

1. Blood!!!! In this post "True Blood" world movie goers want their Vampire flicks buckets o' blood. The Original Sweedish film is singular in it's eschewing of the stuff, the American remake swims in it.

2. Adults: In the Sweedish film the Police are never involved, in the remake the local Police Detective drives the narrative in many ways.

3. Parents: In the remake, you never see the protagonists parents. You see his alcoholic mother's body but her face is deliberately obscured. The vampire girls "father" is shown in detail.

4. Politics: In the remaike the film is set in 1983 and the opening sequence features Regan on the Television talking about the nature of "evil".

Which was better?
I prefer the original myself but only slightly. Because it was foreign and fresh, I had no clue and no expectations. I was able to immerse myself in the story completely because I had no idea as to where it was going to go. I found the performances in the original more believeable and nuanced. I also liked the almost complete lack of blood. I did like the manner in which the new version clearly stated how neglected some kids are and how bullying often goes completely unnoticed by parents and school officials, with disasterous consequences.

I did NOT like the use of CGI in the attack sequences, it looked poor and rushed, definately low grade special effects. Still in all I'd recommend you rent "Let the Right One In" and seel "Let Me In" both are good films and should do your own comparison.

Worf