Based on the popular books, the story tells of Tony who wants a friend to add some adventure to his life. What he gets is Rudolph, a vampire kid with a good appetite. The two end up inseparable, but their fun is cut short when all the hopes of the vampire race could be gone forever in single night. With Tony's access to the daytime world, he helps them to find what they've always wanted.
There are some decent lessons about power and when to use it and when to give it up, about accepting rather than attacking those who are different and about dealing with fear.
– Sara Wildberger,
Miami Herald,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
The film reminds us that Harry Potter isn't the whole story in children's literature, reversing the usual vampire movie cliches and advancing a few morals about tolerating differences.
– Jay Carr,
Boston Globe,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
Mildly entertaining but dramatically messy.
– Derek Elley,
Variety,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Much of the film's success is down to the costume design, the novel SFX and the mildly foreboding atmosphere of the mist enshrouded Scottish countryside.
– Derek Adams,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
fresh:
Vampire cows provide comic relief and many of the scares in this respectfully dark yet optimistic story about a lonely child who befriends a vampire.