8 Reasons Why Lost Boys is The Best Vampire Film.

I have maintained, for the last 35 years, that The Lost Boys is the single greatest vampire movie ever made. I have just watched the 35th anniversary re-release and I stand by my claim.

Here's 8 Reasons why it's the best:

1) The soundtrack. Any soundtrack that includes People Are Strange(originally by The Doors, covered by Echo and The Bunnymen for the film) is automatically heading to the top of any list, but when that soundtrack also includes: Cry Little Sister (Gerard Mcmann), Laying Down The Law (INXS) and Lost In The Shadows (Lou Gramm) it's propelled even higher.

2) The Vampire aesthetic. This is a film made in, and set squarely in, the 80's. The look, style and overall aesthetic of the vamps matches this flawlessly. Having lived through the 80s I can confirm that a lot of people used to dress like that. But that's not the issue with this point. A lot of vampire films rely on an older styler of vampire aesthetic, even if set in a modern setting. A vampire in the now, who may need to try at times to fit in to avoid detection, is really unlikely to dress like people did hundreds of years ago. This film proved at the time you could bring vamps up to date, and not treat them like relics.

3) The use of Classic vampire tropes. Throughout the film we are advised on all of the classic ways to kill, or hurt, vampires. The use of holy water, garlic and sunlight. The thing about mirrors and reflections is brought up too, with one character who begins to fade in a mirror as he starts his transformation into a vamp. Some vamp films mess with these tropes and try to bring in new stuff that often just doesn't work. Sparkling in the sunlight? I'm looking at you. Yet this film did do one thing that added to the tropes.

4) New lore. While using the classic tropes in point 3 this film adds new lore. Based on Bram Stoker's seminal work most vampires turn to dust when staked. This movie builds, and expands, on that. To quote Edgar Frog, "I think I should warn you all, when a vampire bites it, it's never a pretty sight. No two bloodsuckers go the same way. Some yell and scream, some go quietly, some explode, some implode, but all will try to take you with them."

5) The quotable nature of so much of the script. This is a fairly standard thing in a lot of vamp films, but this film is just a step above most of the others. "You'll never grow old, Michael, and you'll never die." "Don't ever invite a vampire into your house, you silly boy. It renders you powerless." "Great! The Bloodsucking Brady Bunch!" "One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach, all the damn vampires." "You're The Only Woman I Ever Knew That Didn't Improve Her Situation By Getting Divorced." "You're A Creature Of The Night, Michael. Just Like Out Of A Comic Book." Now these are just a few of my favourites, but the point still stands. I'm aware this is probably the weakest argument of the list, but i stand by it.

6) The portrayal of the vampires. Even when we can't see them on screen we know certain things about them. They fly. They are a clearly terrifying sight, and they are violently, and inhumanly strong. They hang upside down in their lair to sleep and they have the strange eyes and fangs we all expected. And yet, despite their inhuman and violent nature, they are portrayed as intelligent and calculating. A combination that makes them a force to be reckoned with in the vampire community.

7) It doesn't take itself too seriously. Vampire films tend to fall into two camps. Very serious or overly comedic and, as with any genre of movie, it can be very hard to walk that tightrope with the right balance. This movie manages that with moments of terror, interspersed with light comedic moments. You find yourself fearing for the characters, only to find a short moment of relief with a laugh before the terror returns. Neither side of this equation is overdone, and neither aspect steals away from the other.

8) My final point is perhaps the most salient, and important, point of the list. Kiefer Sutherland as David. He commands every scene he is in even if he says very little. Yet he doesn't overpower or dominate the other characters at all negatively. His use of non-verbal communication, with his eyes, his smile and his overall demeanour as the 'leader' of the vampires is fascinating to watch, and his final battle with Jason Patric's Michael, zipping in and out of the shadows, then taking control from the high ground is simply exquisite. Even now 35 years later I look at Kiefer and the first thing I see is David. That's longevity, and that is why he is so good in this film.

And so there you have it. My list of why Lost Boys is the best vampire film ever. I'm already aware of some of the arguments that might come, specifically from the the From Dusk Till Dawn crowd, and I aknowledge tje excellence that, amd many other vampire films. But for me David, and his Lost Boys, will always reign as kings.

As an extra point look at this poster. This is perfection in poster format. While Jason Patric is front and large, Kiefer dominates the centre of the frame and is staring deep into your soul. That is a face that says "I'm in charge!" without uttering a single sound. Alongside that though we have the fantastic black and white imagery overlayed on a pool of blood red. This is a glorious poster and I really want one framed for my office.