The Little Vampire

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With his family just moved from urban America to rural Scotland, the young "Tony" (Jonathan Lipnicki) is naturally a bit discombobulated. It doesn't help that he keeps dreaming of vampires and both his parents and his fellow pupils at school think he's maybe a bit bonkers. Well guess who is going to have the last laugh when he meets "Rudolph" (Rollo Weeks) who is (quite literally) hanging around in his bedroom. Initially terrified, "Tony" soon discovers that it's the local dairy farmer who has more to worry about and they become fast friends. The problem for "Rudolph" is, though, that he and his family are subject to a curse that can only be reversed by obtaining a special jewel and then doing some moon-barking on a very particular night. As his dad (Richard E. Grant) tells him that time is running out, and local vampire hunter "Rookery" (Jim Carter) hones in on his quarry armed with his silver bullets and illuminated crucifix, it looks like "Rudolph" and his pal have quite a challenge on their hands if they are to rescue the entire vampire race! Hammer horror this isn't, it isn't even "The Lost Boys" (1987) - instead it's just an enjoyable piece of engaging family entertainment that is really all about two lads making and staying friends in the face of some teatime menace from the contraption carrying Carter. There are plenty of holes to pick with the plot, the setting and the costumes if you've a mind to, but that would defeat the point of watching something that is squarely aimed at kids who are prepared to use a little of their own imagination rather than just be spoon-fed everything from someone's laptop. Lipnicki reminded me of Rick Moranis the whole time and there's an amiable bond between him and the energetic Weeks and between him and the slightly mischievous Anna Poppelwell as a vampire sister with perhaps a little emphasis on the vamp! There isn't much here for adults, but if you let that inner kid out then you might find this quite good fun.