Kudos to TNT- they've come up with a winning adaptation of SALEM'S LOT! While it is of course NOT the dream version of the novel we fans could hope for, it's definitely more than passable...despite it has about the same running time as the original TV miniseries, this one moves at a break-neck speed...there's not a lot of "downtime"- it doesn't spend an expository hour brambling around the Lot to introduce the town and its inhabitants- the action starts up in the original-but-unnecessary prologue and really doesn't let down. Outside of Susan, the characters here are definitely much darker in this version, especially disappointing when it comes to Mark- the sensitive, scared-but-brave little boy becomes a brooding teenager(it works, but it's definitely NOT the novel's Mark). There's greater development for Larry Crockett, and it especially works for Father Callahan- first, James Cromwell is a fine actor, and second, makes you realize how under-written this part was the first time around. Sadly, three of the main characters don't really make the cut. First, Rutger Hauer actually is outstanding as Barlow, and righteously is returned to the vampire envisioned by King from his silent Nosferatu ghoul the first time around. It's really a bummer that he doesn't have more screen time. Donald Sutherland's Straker is creepy at the outset...bearded, shaggy and clearly nuts, this man in NO WAY would blend in with staid New Englanders(did he accept this role under the condition he could look like a 70 year old hippie?)- James Mason's sinister subtly is sorely missed. Yet it's Samantha Mathis as Susan that registers least- Bonnie Bedelia's unforgettable performance in the original provided the pathos that served as the backbone in the original...Not that Mathis is bad, but as virtually every other character this time around is emotionally non-involving or nasty, we needed a Susan to care about- Mathis does a professional job being beautiful and perky, but her loss to the vampire world doesn't break out hearts like Bonnie managed to do. Andre Braugher is okay as Matt(re-written to be gay- the homoerotic context of his encounters with Mike before and after Mike's conversion is unique but not scary).
Special effects are definitely slicker, and used to jolting effect, but the memorable vampire attacks of Ralphie Glick and Mike Ryerson 1st time 'round are sorely lacking. With that said, all-in-all you WILL stay glued to your TV screen this time around...guess we'll have to wait for the PBS six-hour version in a decade to get it ALL right!
Special effects are definitely slicker, and used to jolting effect, but the memorable vampire attacks of Ralphie Glick and Mike Ryerson 1st time 'round are sorely lacking. With that said, all-in-all you WILL stay glued to your TV screen this time around...guess we'll have to wait for the PBS six-hour version in a decade to get it ALL right!