VAMPIRES VS. THE BRONX (NETFLIX) (2020)

SYNOPSIS: Three gutsy kids from a rapidly gentrifying Bronx neighborhood stumble upon a sinister plot to suck all the life from their beloved community.

MOVIE REVIEW:

While we are still waiting for the sequel to Eddie Murphy and Wes Craven’s much maligned Vampire In Brooklyn, here comes Vampires Vs. the Bronx.

Sorry about that, different era different movie but same old vampire.

When a group of best friends, Miguel, Bobby and Luis rally to save the bodega from falling into the hands of a mysterious corporation, they encountered a sinister supernatural force that is way beyond their imagination. It turned out they are centuries old Vampires hell bent on taking over Bronx to make it their new HQ.

Yup those immortal creatures that suck one’s blood, hide from the sunlight but lurks in the shadows at night. Because liked they say, no one give a damn if anyone went missing in the Bronx.

Vampires Vs. the Bronx brings audiences back to the good old days whereby vampire movies are fun, goofy and thrilling. Remember Fright Night and The Lost Boys? That was a time whereby vampires have yet evolved into sparkling creatures.

Anyway, the movie is tightly paced and the humour often tongue in cheek. It has no qualms poking fun at the genre when one of the scenes has the boys checking out Blade as a form of reference on how to kill vampires. And then they proceed to equip themselves with holy water, sacramental bread and stakes made from discard furniture. Clichés but they get the job done.

Like the former young cast of Stranger Things, the relatively unknown Jaden Michael, Gerald W. Jones III and Gregory Diaz IV brought a level of raw infectious energy to the otherwise familiar storyline with their chemistry and witty bantering. Having a multiple of races including Spaniard, African-American, Haitian in the movie give the writers a chance to cleverly exploit some clever jokes out of the situation as well.

Other cast members include Shea Wingham from Kong: Skull Island and Joker portrayed the vampires’ crony, a shady estate agent who aims to be part of them. American rapper Method Man plays Father Jackson, a role that is surprisingly too minor to have an impact consider he is a religious figure. Then there is “The Kid Mero” who plays everyone’s favourite convenience store owner, Tony.

There might not be much scary or heart pounding moments but generally Vampires Vs. the Bronx is an enjoyable unpretentious flick that runs briskly and boasts a decent amount of fun. Comparing this to Adam Sandler’s Hubie Halloween, this one is far more worthy to play on Halloween movie night.  

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee