The Lost Boys

Review

by Theresa E. LaVeck

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.

Tracks

				Title	Performer	Time
		1		Good Times	Barnes, INXS	3:49
		2		Lost in the Shadows (The Lost Boys)	Gramm	6:17
		3		Don't Let the Sun Go Down onMe	Daltrey	6:09
		4		Laying Down the Law	Barnes, INXS	4:24
		5		People Are Strange	Echo & the Bunnymen	3:36
		6		Cry Little Sister (Theme from the Lost Boys)	McMann	4:03
		7		Power Play	Eddie & The Tide	3:57
		8		I Still Believe	Capello	3:42
		9		Beauty Has Her Way	Mummy Calls	3:56
		10		To the Shock of Miss Louise	Newman	1:21

indicates Track Pick

indicates a click-through to a song review

Releases

Other Editions