Dean Koontz chiller, starring Jeff Goldblum. Highly entertaining...suspenseful... even mesmerizing at times.
Jeff Goldblum pulls the veritable rabbit out of the proverbial hat in this one. His acting is intensely deep and highly professional in this Brett Leonard (director of the notoriously horrible adaptation of Stephen King's "Lawnmower Man," so bad it was, King SUED and WON, to have his name removed from the title and marketing!) adaptation of Dean Koontz's literary effort.
This adaptation is horrid, as well. Koontz, in my opinion, should also have sued. The "adaptation" isn't an adaptation, it's a complete rewriting of the story, dialog, setting and characters.
The only thing that remains the same is Hatch (Goldblum) and the circumstances which surround his amazing new "gift." Koontz's earlier works, as was the work upon which this movie was based, had little detail, although his characters are very well developed and his story lines/plots move along with little or no distraction at all. This leaves his earlier works easily adapted to film by any director with a capable imagination and even just a little talent. Unfortunately, Brett Leonard displays neither in this attempt. Someone should have told him the red sun ... wasn't SCARY!
As a movie, it is highly entertaining, fun, scary and has you literally on the edge of your seat several times during its viewing. There are a couple of really well done "scare you!" moments and many moments where you catch yourself holding your breath.
However good the movie itself may be (or may not, depending on your point of view), Jeff Goldblum's performance completely redeems the horrid rewrite and inept direction of this production.
Totally.
The scenery and props were very well done, and the scene in which Hatch visits the Tarot Reader is very authentic. The tarot cards she uses are quite unique and extremely well designed. I wouldn't mind having a deck like that myself.
The Alpine-styled architectures and wooden and glass designs are truly lovely and well designed. Even the slightest attention to scene settings and props make for a much more enjoyable finished product.
Christine Lahti is very convincing as Hatch's (Goldblum's) wife, Lindsey Harrison, and Alicia Silverstone is believable and fun to watch, in her portrayal of the Harrison's younger daughter. I'm not a fan of Ms. Silverstone's, but I must say her performance in this role is about the best I've ever seen from her.
The twists and turns in this movie are a bit predictable, but there are a few surprises which leave you saying, "Wow..."...but what saved this production was Jeff Goldblum's marvelous talent.
Jeremy Sisto was a nice bit of eye candy for those who are interested in that, but it was Goldblum's wonderful gift for acting that put this movie in my horror collection.
It was a good book, and is a good movie; it's just not enough like the book for me to feel comfortable with the adaptation, and the direction was completely lacking. However, the actors weren't walking around aimlessly, spouting drivel and worthless platitudes thanks to Walker's (he did BRAINSCAN!!!!) abilities, but his screen play/adaptation should really have been more faithful to Koontz's wonderful story. It would have made for a much more entertaining evening...and movie.
The ending is very satisfying; high tension, wonderful techno music playing not too loud, but loud enough in the background, and Hatch's wife saying over and over, "I'm so sorry," for doubting Hatch's visions were real. His gift takes him straight to his daughter's side...and into the clutches of the "demon" with which he has been granted psychic contact.
Who will win the ultimate battle? Hatch (the good guy), Vassago/Jeremy (the "demon") or another, unrevealed participant?
While the final battle takes place on this plane, the ethereal battle which rages in the background is every bit as important. This climaxial scene is the epitome of metaphorical synergy. It was the only scene in the movie which was well-directed; where the acting quality, the visual effects and the direction were in sync with one another. Before this scene, for the entire rest of the movie, the acting quality is the only thing which will keep you watching it.
All in all, it earns a 7.0/10 from...
the Fiend :.
Jeff Goldblum pulls the veritable rabbit out of the proverbial hat in this one. His acting is intensely deep and highly professional in this Brett Leonard (director of the notoriously horrible adaptation of Stephen King's "Lawnmower Man," so bad it was, King SUED and WON, to have his name removed from the title and marketing!) adaptation of Dean Koontz's literary effort.
This adaptation is horrid, as well. Koontz, in my opinion, should also have sued. The "adaptation" isn't an adaptation, it's a complete rewriting of the story, dialog, setting and characters.
The only thing that remains the same is Hatch (Goldblum) and the circumstances which surround his amazing new "gift." Koontz's earlier works, as was the work upon which this movie was based, had little detail, although his characters are very well developed and his story lines/plots move along with little or no distraction at all. This leaves his earlier works easily adapted to film by any director with a capable imagination and even just a little talent. Unfortunately, Brett Leonard displays neither in this attempt. Someone should have told him the red sun ... wasn't SCARY!
As a movie, it is highly entertaining, fun, scary and has you literally on the edge of your seat several times during its viewing. There are a couple of really well done "scare you!" moments and many moments where you catch yourself holding your breath.
However good the movie itself may be (or may not, depending on your point of view), Jeff Goldblum's performance completely redeems the horrid rewrite and inept direction of this production.
Totally.
The scenery and props were very well done, and the scene in which Hatch visits the Tarot Reader is very authentic. The tarot cards she uses are quite unique and extremely well designed. I wouldn't mind having a deck like that myself.
The Alpine-styled architectures and wooden and glass designs are truly lovely and well designed. Even the slightest attention to scene settings and props make for a much more enjoyable finished product.
Christine Lahti is very convincing as Hatch's (Goldblum's) wife, Lindsey Harrison, and Alicia Silverstone is believable and fun to watch, in her portrayal of the Harrison's younger daughter. I'm not a fan of Ms. Silverstone's, but I must say her performance in this role is about the best I've ever seen from her.
The twists and turns in this movie are a bit predictable, but there are a few surprises which leave you saying, "Wow..."...but what saved this production was Jeff Goldblum's marvelous talent.
Jeremy Sisto was a nice bit of eye candy for those who are interested in that, but it was Goldblum's wonderful gift for acting that put this movie in my horror collection.
It was a good book, and is a good movie; it's just not enough like the book for me to feel comfortable with the adaptation, and the direction was completely lacking. However, the actors weren't walking around aimlessly, spouting drivel and worthless platitudes thanks to Walker's (he did BRAINSCAN!!!!) abilities, but his screen play/adaptation should really have been more faithful to Koontz's wonderful story. It would have made for a much more entertaining evening...and movie.
The ending is very satisfying; high tension, wonderful techno music playing not too loud, but loud enough in the background, and Hatch's wife saying over and over, "I'm so sorry," for doubting Hatch's visions were real. His gift takes him straight to his daughter's side...and into the clutches of the "demon" with which he has been granted psychic contact.
Who will win the ultimate battle? Hatch (the good guy), Vassago/Jeremy (the "demon") or another, unrevealed participant?
While the final battle takes place on this plane, the ethereal battle which rages in the background is every bit as important. This climaxial scene is the epitome of metaphorical synergy. It was the only scene in the movie which was well-directed; where the acting quality, the visual effects and the direction were in sync with one another. Before this scene, for the entire rest of the movie, the acting quality is the only thing which will keep you watching it.
All in all, it earns a 7.0/10 from...
the Fiend :.