Joel Schumacher
's 1987 film
The Lost Boys
capitalized on a temporary lull in horror movies in the late '80s and created a heavily music-video-influenced vampire homage with enough campy humor, heavy metal costumes, and hunky stars to put a fresh spin on the genre. An amusing piece of eye candy spiked by a few creepy moments, the movie, in typical '80s style, relies heavily on the soundtrack to bolster its emotional core. The soundtrack, like the film, works great on the surface -- but don't go much deeper. A mix of covers and bombastic '80s pop originals, the songs work best when they concentrate on the horror factor.
Echo & the Bunnymen
turn in an excellent cover of
the Doors
'
"People Are Strange"
that has a bouncier, more melodic touch than the original.
Jimmy Barnes
and
INXS
"Good Times"
is an energetic rocker used to personify the party-hardy SoCal atmosphere of the film. The strongest song is the movie's theme,
"Cry Little Sister,"
a goth-influenced midtempo ballad. Singer
Gerald McMann
's pained phrasing and creepy lyrics, and a chilling chorus sung by what sounds like disembodied children, exemplify the best parts of the movie and the soundtrack. ~ Theresa E. LaVeck