Let Me In - *** out of ****

For English-speaking folk who are more afraid of subtitles than the supernatural, "Let Me In" will prove to be well-worth your ticket price. I know the Swedish original, "Let the Right One In," quite well, and because I feel that it is a perfect film, I was very skeptical when it was announced that Matt Reeves ("Cloverfield") would be writing and directing this American update.

The plot is virtually the same, but it is a movie that is more fun to discover on your own, so there will be minimal spoilers in this review. Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee from "The Road") is a young boy turning 13 who is constantly bullied at school. His parents are separated, and he has this overwhelming feeling of loneliness in his life. His mother, who he lives with, only appears onscreen to alert him to dinner and remind him to pray before his meals. His father only exists in the form of a desperate phone call, and it becomes clear that neither really wants him.

This changes when he meets Abby (Chloe Grace-Moretz of "Kick-Ass"). Abby is intelligent way beyond her years, does not wear shoes in the snow, and seems to have a strange relationship with the man living with her (the great Richard Jenkins from "The Visitor" and "Burn After Reading"). Owen does not question these strange circumstances but instead sees Abby as a different version of himself, and they form a friendship although Abby immediately warns him, "We can't be friends."

At the same time as this, a bizarre series of murders seems to be plaguing their small town, and a police inspector (Elias Koteas from small parts in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Shutter Island") tries to make sense of everything. This key role wasn't quite emphasized well enough in this version, but his purpose within the plot is still there. He doesn't serve the same role of the audience as trying to figure out what's happening in this movie but instead is on his own while we figure everything out ahead of him.

That's about all you will get from me in the plot. The acting in this film is a revelation of child acting with Chloe Grace-Moretz and Kodi Smit-McPhee nailing dimensions of their characters that would be difficult for most adult actors. The pair are the foundation of the movie, and they both perform beyond admirably. I was most impressed by Miss Moretz. If you think about the dimensions of her character and what was required of her, you know that this was not a simple feat. I was reminded of Anna Paquin's (HBO's "True Blood") Oscar-winning role in "The Piano." Chloe has the most lines and must also show the greatest struggle and range of emotion.

Matt Reeves appeared to me to not be the one to effectively make this movie because I was disappointed in "Cloverfield." I guess when the advertising campaign made you more scared than the final product, you're bound feeling as if something is missing. He proves to be very competent here, allowing the dull yellows and greens to light the areas with the red blood serving as the finishing touch. The pacing of some scenes felt a little off, and the suspense was lacking in certain areas where the original made it unbearable. These problems aside, Reeves did a splendid job of working with child actors in very adult roles.

The computer graphics are slicker, and although they looked wonderful, I was anxiously awaiting the 'cat attack' scene from "Let the Right One In." Unfortunately, it was cut. Perhaps it does make more sense to cut it in this version, but because that was the cheesiest-looking effect from the original, I was looking forward to seeing it polished.

As of right now, you're probably thinking that I'm reviewing a different movie than the trailer you saw. I am not. "Let Me In" is chilling, scary, morbidly satisfying, and unafraid of stepping on shaky territory. That the movie on the whole was able to handle these things with such grace and ease truly surprised me. Yes, I would classify it as a horror film while the original was a dramatic thriller, but those who are not familiar with the story will go into this and experience a good movie. Whether it's a good horror movie, good drama, good thriller, or what-have-you is beyond the point. This hybrid works extremely well despite whatever doubts I have about it being made in the first place. Watch this version first, then find "Let the Right One In" on DVD. It's like seeing the movie before reading the novel so you aren't disappointed.

Rated R for strong bloody horror violence, language and a brief sexual situation.
Check your local theater for showtimes.