1.The Casting. Colin Farrell (whom I've never been a big fan of) is surprisingly good as the vampire next door, Jerry. He brings a nonchalance to the villainous role that is a refreshing change from the brooding bloodsucker archetype. Christopher Mintz-Plasse ("McLovin" in Superbad) is also a brilliant choice for the character of the misfit Ed.
2.The Setting. The suburban Las Vegas mise en scene makes sense (geographic isolation + transient population = ideal circumstances for vampire predation). The bucolic quality of this sunny community also renders the nighttime horrors transpiring within it that much more Gothic and gruesome.
3.The Set-Pieces. The film includes some terrific action sequences, such as the scene of a deadly car chase along a dark, deserted highway.
4.The Riffs on the Original. I love how the remake plays with the vampire-must-be-invited-in plot device, and how it transforms the Peter Vincent character from an old TV horror host into a hip (and hysterical) magician with a Criss Angel-ic stage show in Vegas. The cameo by Chris Sarandon (who played Jerry in the 1985 release) is a nice touch as well.
5.The Humor. The film's greatest strength; it is laced with genuine laugh-out-loud moments. If you were amused by Zombieland, then you will love Fright Night's sense of wit.
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