Something keeps drawing me back to this film. I truly can't put my finger on it. But it's not really a "guilty" pleasure. I finally caved in and bought the video when after having already rented it twice, found myself wanting to see it again. And no one's more surprised than me. I must've seen it five times by now.
Michael J. Fox teams up again with "Back To The Future" director Robert Zemeckis. Sounds like a winning combination. And it is. But something didn't sit well with the masses. Promoters didn't know how to run with the ad campaign, which I think hurt its performance.
I know the film was a bit of a box office disappointment, but that doesn't mean it's not a good film. It's an original treatment of a black comedy/adventure/horror. OK, so maybe that's its problem. This film suffers from the "too-many-categories" syndrome.
It does have some funny moments, but they're not knee-slappers. It does have some horror elements, but they're not bone-chilling or terrifying. Its most common theme or state is that of mystery chase.
The special effects are top notch and not over emphasized to the point of nausea. They are used throughout the film to enhance the supernatural setting the film is set in. It's another strong example of how computer animation has taken filmmaking to another level where almost anything is possible, to the benefit of an awestruck audience. But who knows, in a decade or so, these may be regarded as crude, low-grade, parlor tricks.
This was a post "Gump", pre "Contact" effort that is the recipient of at least the same care and effort of the other two. A signature of Zemeckis' films of late, where attention to detail seems a high priority. Of course, like any other film in history, there are flaws, but in my opinion they are forgivable. Spoiler guidelines prohibit me from elaborating, but unless you're really critical of films, you will probably miss it. Any film of supernatural subject matter should be given a certain amount of artistic license.
Basically, "Frighteners" is fun to watch, fast paced and has something for everyone, but it must've failed on some level for some people. I've recommended and loaned this film to a number of friends who've enjoyed it. Their responses were not too emphatic, but they enjoyed it nonetheless. I know what you're thinking, and I believe they'd tell me if they didn't like it. At least, I hope so anyway.
I guess all I can say is, if you were thinking about seeing it, or maybe just in the mood for something different, then give it a shot. You could do a lot worse. But don't take my word for it. See for yourself.
Michael J. Fox teams up again with "Back To The Future" director Robert Zemeckis. Sounds like a winning combination. And it is. But something didn't sit well with the masses. Promoters didn't know how to run with the ad campaign, which I think hurt its performance.
I know the film was a bit of a box office disappointment, but that doesn't mean it's not a good film. It's an original treatment of a black comedy/adventure/horror. OK, so maybe that's its problem. This film suffers from the "too-many-categories" syndrome.
It does have some funny moments, but they're not knee-slappers. It does have some horror elements, but they're not bone-chilling or terrifying. Its most common theme or state is that of mystery chase.
The special effects are top notch and not over emphasized to the point of nausea. They are used throughout the film to enhance the supernatural setting the film is set in. It's another strong example of how computer animation has taken filmmaking to another level where almost anything is possible, to the benefit of an awestruck audience. But who knows, in a decade or so, these may be regarded as crude, low-grade, parlor tricks.
This was a post "Gump", pre "Contact" effort that is the recipient of at least the same care and effort of the other two. A signature of Zemeckis' films of late, where attention to detail seems a high priority. Of course, like any other film in history, there are flaws, but in my opinion they are forgivable. Spoiler guidelines prohibit me from elaborating, but unless you're really critical of films, you will probably miss it. Any film of supernatural subject matter should be given a certain amount of artistic license.
Basically, "Frighteners" is fun to watch, fast paced and has something for everyone, but it must've failed on some level for some people. I've recommended and loaned this film to a number of friends who've enjoyed it. Their responses were not too emphatic, but they enjoyed it nonetheless. I know what you're thinking, and I believe they'd tell me if they didn't like it. At least, I hope so anyway.
I guess all I can say is, if you were thinking about seeing it, or maybe just in the mood for something different, then give it a shot. You could do a lot worse. But don't take my word for it. See for yourself.