Reviews (2)

Unique, but good
This movie is very unique, which is good. It gets boring watching the same Godzilla from Japan. Godzilla is much more flexible in this film. Don't listen to anybody who says this movie is a waste of time, because they're crazy.

Ehh....
While this is a moderately good monster movie, this is a horrible Godzilla movie. It's virtually identical to "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms". And another thing that bugs me about this movie is the total lack of research. In the film, the AH-64 Apache helicopter is shown as a one-man chopper with guns on either side of the cockpit. The real AH-64 is a two-man chopper with one machine gun mounted UNDER the cockpit. Also, the creature's claws are all wrong. Lizard claws are flat on the bottom, whereas the creature's are rounded, like birds. And whoever came up with that "within a year, these 200 babies could become 40,000" line should watch the movie again. The first one wasn't able to lay eggs until it was at least thiry years old. Thirty years seems like planty of time to hunt down and destroy those hatchlings. ... Read more

Reviews (283)

Real animation.
As a sequel to the Alien trilogy, the general consensus is that 'Alien Resurrection' scraps the bottom of the barrel. It goes for melodramatic impact with predictable deaths and corny action movie one-liners. A massive setback for a highly acclaimed sequence of films but not a bad adaption of a comic book series. Indeed the premise behind 'Resurrection' seems to have been lifted mostly from the Dark Horse comic's 'Alien' stories. The characters are richly 2-dimensional. Bad acting? When you're playing a comic-book character, there's no need to wander through the depths of human emotion, just play it as it is on the page. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's style in his French language films do portray a highly animated sense of reality and much of the set designs and action sequences in 'Alien Resurrection' do seem to have been directly influenced by the comic stories. The previous films worked hard on displaying an imaginable sci-fi future, where human emotion and interaction still managed to take precedence over technology. In 'Resurrection' we are blasted with endless amounts of explosions and gore, the only tinge of humanity coming from an androyid (ironically played by the rather 'wooden' Winona Ryder).

I would love to see Jeunet tackle the sci-fi genre again, maybe a film where he could harness some of his own vision in the story, as well as in the direction. Terry Gilliam's 'Brazil' was a wonderful example of how a highly imaginative director could create his own pseudo-sci-fi world without the cuddly trappings of George Lucas. If you're a sci-fi comic book fan then, 'Alien Resurrection' is definitely one to see.

A Joke!
This almost doesn't even qualify as an Alien movie and feels more like some spin-off of the franchise and really ruins the power of the 1992 third Alien movie. Why would anyone want to clone Ripley and an alien anyway? The acting, even by Weaver is weak and this movie's plot is laughable! What a sad ending to a great movie series. It should've ended with Alien 3!!!!! End of story!

This final installment is on shaky ground.
1997's fourth installment in the "Aliens" movie franchise is my least favorite of the bunch for many reasons even though it also has it's own merits. In all honesty, while there's plenty of things to enjoy, this movie is missing something that made the first two movies so incredible and even the third one which has it's own flaws of it's own.

This movie takes place 200 years after the events of "Alien 3". Ellen Ripley's DNA has been successfully recovered and a mix of Ripley and the alien's DNA have been successfully cloned and now Ripley's 'descendant', actually a clone of her has been brought to life to wage her final battle against the predatory aliens that are now approaching the planet Earth. The 'new' Ripley has Alien DNA within her that makes her capable of 'caring' for the alien creatures. A band of vicious smugglers however comes on board to steal the Alien DNA only to discover that the new breed of aliens is more dangerous than any other ever before and now the aliens are hunting both 'Ripley' and the smugglers and now they must destroy the alien and prevent them from getting to Earth and also try to make it home alive.

This movie cuts both ways for me. While certainly not a bad movie overall, "Alien Resurrection" suffers the most from serious flaws more than any of the previous "Alien" movies. While the movie is enjoyable for its special effects and awesome action sequences, I for one agree with many that this was almost not even necessary to be made like this especially since the 1992 third entry was where it should've ended. A lot scenes are pretty gross to look at especially the ones where 'Ripley' tries to 'calm' down the alien creatures or even tries to act like some 'mother' figure to them. I for one feel that this movie is more of like some 'alternate timeline' movie spin-off of some sort that almost feels completely detached from the previous three and that it's almost like thrown together leftovers from them as well.

The cast is hit and miss for me. Sigourney Weaver as the 'new' Ellen Ripley is fantastic as usual and is the only one in my opinion who really carries this movie all the way through. Her character is still very good although a step or two down from the previous movies. The rest of the cast however really don't fare anywhere near as good. Winona Ryder really drops the ball on this one and the character she plays is boring and without character or personality even though she isn't as she is thought to be. The male cast comes off being excessively dry and unconvincing and one in particular is almost enough to tick you off at his attitude towards Ryder's character in this movie. The directing by Jean-Pierre Jeunet is really good and this combined with Siguorney Weaver's acting as usual really do a lot to make this flawed movie a good movie worth watching.

The movie has its merits though. The special effects are top-rate and the movie has a really suspenseful tone but it starts getting to the point that the formula has been a bit tried since it has already been done three times already. The newest species of alien is really scary and but the face and head look almost like a human skull or even a deformed Freddy Krueger. The movie is saved by a really awesome but gruesome ending which I'm not going to mention out of fear of spoiling it. The ending alone saves this movie along with the special effects. While many movie series seam to suffer from a pattern called the "Fourth Installment Syndrome/Curse" or whatever you call it with examples like "Batman and Robin" or "Jaws: The Revenge", "Alien Resurrection" avoids a lot of this with great special effects and awesome sequences. For a 'Part 4' movie, this really fares so well for a fourth installment and maintains some freshness even if the cracks in the franchise start showing through.

The "Director's Cut" edition of "Alien Resurrection" does little to improve this movie and is only like ten minutes longer than the original and of the revamped versions of all of the "Alien" movies, "Alien Resurrection" benefits the least out of them all and the result is disappointing. The movie also has a new intro to it. The second disc like the other films on their newest re-issues has lots of great extras with 'making of', commentaries, and lots of cool Easter eggs. There are plenty of extras in this movie that are worth looking at though and the DVD is really excellent. The picture quality was good to begin with but this "Collector's Edition" really improves the picture quality and the sound quality is amazing to the point that if you have surround audio speakers or can connect your TV to the stereo speakers, then it will feel almost like you're back at the big screen again! The final result for me is that this gets a rating that rounds off to 3 solid stars but at the same time, this movie while good on its own, just never can find it's own place against the shadows of it's predecessors and is ultimately a movie that is more for the die-hard Alien audiences.

Looking back on it now, I have to say that despite the weaknesses especially on the last two parts in the series, "Aliens" stands as one of the best sci-fi/horror/action movie franchises of all time and that Sigourney Weaver may be the most remembered by her roles in all of them.

THE DARKEST CHAPTER IN THE SERIES.
Some people think that "Alien 3" is the worst movie in the series. Others think that "Alien Resurrection" is the worst. I think that "Resurrection" is slightly better than "Alien 3", but I also think that we all agree that both "Resurrection" and "Alien 3" aren't even close to the level of excellency of the first two movies.

Anyway, "Alien Resurrection" does have interesting things: the atmosphere is dark and it's very stylish. Finally we can see a pretty face in the series, Winona Ryder plays a supporting role in this movie. Also, "Resurrection" has scenes packed with bullets, explosions and action.

However, "Alien Resurrection" also has low points. Yes, Winona appears here, but her acting talent is kinda wasted. Some plot twists feel very forced, and the movie has its share of grotesque and pointless scenes. But all those things are OK, however, the thing that I can't forgive as a fan of the series is the Alien / human creature, that thing is so grotesque and infamous that the damn thing makes that the final scenes look like an ultra-cheap horror movie.

In the final countdown "Alien Resurrection" still is good enough to score a solid 3 stars rating in my scale, but to be honest I would recommend you only the first two movies, "Alien" and "Aliens".

WHAT THE...?!?!
'Alien' was excellent. 'Aliens' was superb. 'Alien 3' was.. well.. it was okay. At least I found it to be a respectable sequel in its own right. But this... THIS?!!?! Let me just say 'Resurrection' should've been SHELVED AND NEVER HAVE SEEN THE INSIDE OF ANY THEATER!!! This movie sucks on so many levels it's unreal. Bad acting, bad plot, lame, boring, dumb... I still can't believe Sigourney Weaver would go along with such an inane project. Must've been the money, cuz reportedly she got a lot of it to play in this travesty. And what about that freaky 'Mummy Returns' reject of an alien at the end?? LAME!!!

Movie sucked. Stick with the first two definitely, and possibly the third... This one sucks big time. ... Read more

Reviews (676)

A dissapointment
The first Mummy was an enjoyable, if tedious, romp about the struggles of an adventurer and his companions to stop the apocalyptic agenda of an ancient Egyptian priest. Far from perfect, The Mummy nevertheless boasted an infectious blend of high adventure, low-scare horror, and special effects that transformed it into a surprise hit. Now comes the sequel; The Mummy Returns along with most of the original cast. The rather jumbled plot is as follows: A cult of power-mad Egyptologists have concocted a plan by which they can obtain world domination. First, they must resurrect Im-Ho-Tep, the mummy from the first film. Since they are being led by the ancient priest's re-incarnated girlfriend, Anck-Su-Namun (Patricia Velazquez), this proves to be surprisingly easy. Then, with his powers restored, Im-Ho-Tep heads off to do battle with the mythical Scorpion King, whose tomb lies in a pyramid at the center of a hidden oasis. In order to find that oasis, Im-Ho-Tep needs an artifact which happens to be in the possession of Alex O'Connell. And, when the boy is kidnapped, that brings his parents, his uncle Jonathan, and their old friend, Ardeth Bay, into the conflict. This results in a lot of chasing around the globe and a climax that features a special effects-laden battle between two armies. Unfortunately, it becomes obvious real fast that the only reason The Mummy Returns exists is because of Universal Studio's greed, and not due to a creative process. Of course this is the thought process that kills most sequels. The story is told so sloppy and is so unnecessary, the characters are eventually abandoned and it becomes really hard to care about anyone or anything. The plot pot is boiling so furiously with silly deaths-and-rebirths and various attempts at sub-plots, it turns to overkill.

Fraser has never seemed more smarmy; he doesn't retain a smidgen of his usual bumptious charm. Weisz, who must shift from being a strong woman at one instant to a helpless damsel the next (and endure some really embarrassing fight sequences with Velasquez in flashbacks to her former life in ancient Thebes -- she's been reincarnated -- don't ask), is surprisingly nondescript in all these guises. Even the CGI is a let down: The computer generated Scorpion King is simply awful (the warriors of Anubis are so startingly fake you can feel Ray Harryhausen crying out for vengeance). While roller-coaster rides can be fun, even they need proper timing: they require occasional pauses from the plunges, and certainly shouldn't drag on forever. Oh well, I hope Jurassic Park and Planet of the Apes score better than The Mummy Returns.

Action-packed Entertainment - a True Sequel
I tend to rate a movie on it's 'see again' factor - I'd watch this one again and again... I've rarely seen a sequel that follows on so beautifully from where the original left off. It's 10 years later and the O'Connells have a son, Alex, who has a relentless tendency to get into trouble - kind of like his mother, really.

Okay, so there are a few 'seen-it, 'been there, done that' moments, but despite this, "The Mummy Returns" manages to pack in the action and keep your eyes glued to the screen. Best points: the story behind the murder of Pharaoh Seti I in the first movie involving Evy, Imhotep and Anck Su Namun - nice follow on there; the FANTASTIC battle between Anubis's army and the Medjai in the desert - great SFX! And the moment of Anck Su Namun betrayal - one of those rare times your heart goes out to the bad guy.

Most importantly, the movie is about FUN. Yes, there are things that defy reality, the plot isn't water-tight or rock-steady - so what? It's an action-packed, entertaining, SCI-FI movie with memorable characters, great actors that makes brilliant use of special effects and doesn't take itself too seriously. What more could a die-hard movie buff ask for?

All I'm saying is...
...this could have been much better. Three years after the fact, I know many of us are in agreement that this sequel did not live up to the original, so instead of just bashing it, I thought I'd do a take on what NOT to do with a sequel:

1.) Do not sacrifice plot for action. After so many sequels that bombed because of this, the producers still fell for it anyway. Do you know what made "The Mummy" so awesome? The lure of all the ancient Egyptian lore and myth, which, when interspersed with action, brought the entire movie alive. We don't need more brawls and swordfights and self-consuming cities--we need more of the MAGIC.

2.) Don't reference the original more than twice. It's not as if we don't remember the books and the plagues and the happy romance. If anything, constant reflections insult us as an audience. It's another bad trap that sequel-makers fall into, and again, it happened here too.

3.) Don't wreck the memory of a beloved setting. Hamunaptra was chock-full of all that we as Americans want from ancient Egypt: vast treasures, sarcophogi, curses, booby traps, juicy mummies. And what did we see of it in the second film? Sand, teeming with people who couldn't even find it eight years before. Huge electric lights illuminating what once could only be seen by torchlight. Trucks, instead of camels! And some really strangely reincarnated Anck-su-namun. The moviemakers effectively ruined the magic of Hamunaptra, and they didn't have to. Shame!

4.) Never, ever, ever pull a stunt like a CGI Rock again. Could they not afford to pay him for the final scenes? Just imagine the heroic fight between Rick, Imhotep, and the Scorpion King--only all three are in the flesh! People would have been cheering in the theatre watching the Rock fight with Brendan Fraser and Arnold Vosloo. But noooo...let's pull CGI out of our butts for the eighty millionth time. Shame shame!

5.) Don't ruin the best moments of the film by shortening them. Were we too busy playing around with CGI Rock to choreograph a great fight scene between Anck and Evie? I think we might have been. I understand that having Anck shy away from fighting helped set up her not being brave enough in the end for other things, but even just extending the fight a little longer would have helped. Anck could have given her best in an extended fight but still lost, and then we could have watched her bravado melt away and become her undoing.

All that being said, there are some bright spots. The mummy himself, for one. And the character of Jonathan was as lively and funny as ever, thank goodness; Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr) was even more campily serious and apocolyptic, and that was fun, too. Enough can't be said for Brendan Frasier, who IS the action hero of the the new millenium--handsome, funny, totally self-aware, and he puts his heart into everything completely.

I hope they make a third "Mummy." There's a lot left of ancient Egypt to explore, especially since in the time period of the movies not everything had been discovered yet. I think all the main characters would have to return, and that the plot with the most potential still remains that between Imhotep and Anck-su-namun. With all the money they have in Hollywood, the producers should be able to hire a team talented enough to write a movie as magical as the first.

Mummy Dearest
Such trash the movie studios insult us with. The Cringometer peaked over the red line from the opener and climaxed with some of the worst CG ever. The Rock- more like The Crock! Possibly the worst film in any aspect ratio, preferable on NO SCREEN. Had hoped that Stephen Sommers would be sent into exile for this sub-par Jules Verne abortion, but we've just seen Van Helsing and don't understand why he hasn't suicided.

Mummys Back
The second adventure of this series is set eight years after the first. This time the affects are better and we get to see more of supermodel, Patricia Velasquez, wearing only gold paint as well as toting a machine gun. The most popular scene in the movie is the chic fight between Velasquez and Weiss, no doubt the pause and shuttle buttons will get a work out...

As usuall Brendan Frazer is at his silly best with his now on screen wife, Rachael Wiess a still overly beautiful adventurist. This time they have an equally inqusitive son who simple can't leave things alone... ... Read more

Reviews (81)

Scary but too scientific
A great premise, and a great location for a story, in a museum, but this film suffers from an abundance of technobabble in its plot. Basically, there is a monster at large in a museum, and the stars (Tom Sizemore & Penelope Ann Miller) have to catch and kill it. The trouble is, this thing is big, fast and with an insatiable appetite for human glands. Peter Hyams (End of Days, 2010:The Year we make Contact) creates a huge amount of tension by shooting most of this film in the dark, using only minimal lighting. When the creature attacks, and is eventually revealed, it is a truly frightening sight. But the thing that stopped me giving this film five stars was the lack of true characterisation, and the amount of scientific gobbledygook spouted to explain the existence of this creature. Otherwise, a true thriller for lovers of the creature feature. The DVD i got was not exactly packed with features; all i could find was the trailer. Sound is great (I am now a true Hyams fan) and the picture is sharp and clear. A great film spoilt by a DVD lacking in the features department.

Classic horror film with an awesome monster! WOW!!!
Penelope Ann Miller and Tom Sizemore topline this engaging suspenser based on the best-selling novel.

Filmed inside Chicago's Field Museum, the movie centers around a horrific brain-feeding beast and its curious link to a missing paleontologist who disappeared while researching a native tribe in Brazil. This monster, designed by special effects master Stan Winston, is unlike anything you're likely to see ever again. As in most other movies like this, you don't get to glimpse it right away. Its presence is more or less represented by an unsettling wheeze that will make you wonder what on earth could be making such a sound. I won't reveal anymore, other than to say it doesn't merely chase its victims down dark and murky underground tunnels--IT GALLOPS AFTER THEM!

Forget what's been said about how overly dark this film was or how much of a letdown it was from the book. If, like me, you are any kind of horror fan who enjoys in-your-face monster movies, you owe it to yourself to buy this and watch it right now!

Watch for an amusing cameo by Audra Lindley, better known as "Mrs. Roper" from "Three's Company."

It's a pretty good Monster movie that's not a critics Drama
I have seen the bad reviews and I think they are missing the point. This is a B monster movie and they are comparing it to Aliens? To me "The Thing" and "An American Werewolf in London" are some of the best monster movies of all time and I see this below them, but fun.
The big question is whether or not you like to watch a monster movie for just being a monster that causes fictionaly mayhem. I grew up watching "Creature Double Feature" with all of those old monster movies. Fact is most Monster Movies are the pits and there has not been too many that are very good at all since now a days they rely on so much CG. Also I find most people do not like the concept of a Monster to begin with; out side of the Vampire; which there has been more than a hundred titles with "Vampire" in it. Oh dear god now there is "Van Helsing" killing Vampires.
So buy it for the pleasure of seeing people attacked for fun and not because you need a masterpiece every time you start up your DVD player because you will quickly find most movies do not hold up to scrutiny. If you feel this way then it is time to start reading the Classics again like Poe since you have raised yourself above this monotony

buy the book
If you really want a good story, buy the book. There is so much more to the story than what the movie showed. The only thing the movie had in common with the book was that the story took place in a museum and there was a monster. Do yourself a favor; read don't screen.

Hypothalumuses.
The book was excellent (as is anything written by duo DOUG PRESTON and LINC CHILD), the film is a thrown-together mess. This is a textbook example of great book-bad movie. The central character on paper was left out on celluloid for who knows why, and the complex science in the plot is traded for Hollywood dribble. F. PAUL WILSON hasn't sold his work for screen since THE KEEP was butchered, the shame is that these terrific writers might wisely take the same route. Oh, well, PRESTON/CHILD's books are so cinematic anyway, who needs pictures? ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Comedy Werewolf Movies- Never Go Wrong
Well I have to say that this was a typical 80's movie. And that doesn't make it bad, that makes it very good. The acting could've been better but it was pretty good for a non all star cast. If you like a comedic twist on horror, then this movie is for you.

Poor neglected housewife Susan Blakely becomes a werewolf
"My Mom's a Werewolf" is one of those films where you think somebody came up with the title and they were into production before there was actually a script. The 1989 film is not an offensive horror comedy, but it is not especially good. Susan Blakely, thirteen years after she was the female lead on "Rich Man, Poor Man," plays Leslie Shaber, a typical suburban houseful who is pretty much ignored by her less than loving family. Then one day she goes out to buy a new collar for the family dog but ends up in bed with Harry Thropen (John Saxon), a weird guy (I mentioned John Saxon played him, right?) who owns a pet shop. During their little romp Harry bits Leslie on the toe...

Now, stop for a moment and try to anticipate where this story is going. If you are thinking anything along the lines of "Teen Wolf," or a comparable horror comedy where being a monster turns out to be a good thing, this is not what writer Mark Pirro and director Michael Fischa come up with for their little film. Leslie's daughter Jennifer (Katrina Caspary), finds out mom's little secret when the hair, the fangs, and the craving for raw meat becomes rather obvious. But it turns out the transformation is not yet complete and Jennifer tries to save her mom from having to go live happily ever after with good old Harry (Harry, get it? The werewolf's name is "Harry").

At least "My Mom's a Werewolf" acknowledges that it is going for the yucks. All of the characters are overblown stereotypes and at one point it dawned on me that if this film had been made a decade later it might have been a direct to MST3K film. In addition to Blakely the cast as John Schuck ("MacMillan and Wife") as the husband, Ruth Buzzi ("Laugh-In") as Madame Gypsy, and Marcia Wallace ("The Bob Newhart Show") as Peggy, all of whom are other former familiar faces from television who have to be wondering what happened to their careers. Actually, Blakely's performance is the best of the bunch and there is something rather sad that this particular injury is added to the insult of her home life.

A Werewolf Movie That Will Have You Laughing!
This is one of those werewolf films that's more comedy than anything else. Leslie, (Susan Blakley) gets bitten by pet store owner Harry (John Saxon) who is in need of a wife to keep the werewolf legacy alive. Leslie's daughter Jennifer (Katrina Caspary) follows her mother to the pet store (thinking she's having an affair with another man) and watches thru a backdoor window as Harry seduces and bites her mother. Jennifer then turns to her best friend Stacey (who's a monster comic fanatic) and Madame Gypsy (Ruth Buzzi)to help rid her mother of this curse. Leslie begins to grow fangs and sees more hair than usual on her arms and legs and things get pretty "hairy" after awhile. Jennifer's Halloween party is a riot with Leslie covered in long hair, fangs, etc. while all along the party goers think she's made up for Halloween. Finally, seeing as though holy water, crosses and garlic don't work on the werewolf, a knife made of silver does the trick in an all out fight between daughter, mother and werewolf in the bedroom. Saxon is stabbed by the silver knife and Leslie is rid of the curse. Again, this is a funny movie and even kids will enjoy it.

CUTE WEREWOLF SPOOF
I normally hate horror spoofs, but this movie made me laugh. The suspence is great and the plot does not get off the subject like most spoofs. This movie can be viewed by the whole family (YES, EVEN THE KIDS CAN SEE IT), because there is no nudity or bad language. Buy it today! ... Read more

Description

The story of a young girl who has been possessed by the devil and a priest is called in to perform an exorcism.11 added minutes including the legendary Staircase Spider Walk, an ominous Medical Diagnosis scene and more. ... Read more

Reviews (640)

4.5 out of 5
Thirty years after it's release, THE EXORCIST remains the scariest film of all-time. Adapted by William Peter Blatty from his own novel, this legendary horror flick follows the difficulties of a mother (Ellen Burstyn) whose 12-year-old girl (Linda Blair, in her biggest performance) becomes possessed by the devil, and how the mother discovers that the only way to save her daughter is an exorcism. There is frightening directing by William Friedkin (THE FRENCH CONNECTION), a very short by haunting score by Jack Nitzsche, and great performances by Burstyn, Blair, Jason Miller, Lee J. Cobb and Max von Sydow. To add to that, there's horrifyingly realistic special effects (by Marcel Vercoutere) and eerie cinematography (by Owen Roizman). Now we also have "The Version You've Never Seen" - which, hopefully you have seen, because it includes ten minutes of new, terrifying footage. Once you've seen, the film's hundreds of ghastly images will never leave your mind. Simply put, THE EXORCIST will live on to horrify us for generations to come.

The best horror movie ever made!
The Exorcist is one of those rare finds. It is a superbly crafted film with a great story and top-notch acting and it also manages to scare the "you know what" right out of you. The thought of the demonic posession of a pre-teen girl is too much for most people to ponder rationally. Yet somehow, William Friedkin (making the movie from the gripping page-turner written by William Peter Blatty) presents this tale in a straight forward manner that doesn't flinch in it's ability to deal with this horrifying subject matter. Contrary to what some people have mentioned the special effects are NOT dated. They are still some of the best effects created in Hollywood. (Perhaps minimalist by todays standards which make them even more incredible).
Highlights of the DVD are the soundtrack, which you'll be scrambling to turn down if you have a home theater system, and the documentary about the making of the film which highlights the many challenges the crew encountered and some of the eerie things that took place during the filming. Look for the infamous "Spider Walk" scene which was left cut on the editor's floor.
Some people I know still refuse to watch this film on its reputation alone. Don't be one of them. You'll be missing one of the best films made in the 70's and without a doubt the greatest horror movie of all time.

The Best and Original
This is probably the best horror film to date, still an excellent movies even though the effects are dated. It destroyed (Linda Blair's) the little girl's career as an actress because people were never able to disassociate her with the possesed girl. She was only 15 when she made the movie.

Still packs a punch
It is easy to banter around a movie as being the scariest ever made. Buy this movie actually lives up to the billing and should give shivers up one's spine unless one is already dead. The soundtrack is outstanding in setting the mood of the scenes. I saw the original movie when it first came out (amidst the tremendous controversy) and found it gripping. Of the added scenes, I will agree that the change to the ending was unnecessary. In the years since it was made, it has lost none of it's punch and is a very powerful and well crafted movie. My first DVD had to be replaced (it contained blank portions while the sound continued)and the replacement sometimes did not want to load. But once the movie started, it is one of the best to put one on edge. Sometimes, the medical scenes were more chilling than the possession scenes.
The cardboard DVD case, however, merits a thumbs down from me.

Misplaced images on the walls.
A great artistic masterpiece, with acting and scenery so sincere and genuine it all feels documentary.

The only good about the "Version You've Never Seen" is the added spider-walk scene which is very creepy; although it may be so strong that it attracts too much attention to itself, causing some unbalance in the film.
The added images on the walls I can't understand why they did. Demon manifestations don't live a life by themselves, they are primarily inner states of a person that are then projected and manifested without for the person. (I have had my own experience of this through a harrowing experience, when a cat which I was unable to help died a painful death before me; afterwards a demon visage appeared in the light from a candle, that was shining and reflecting through a glass, forming a picture onto the table before me. Looking into its eyes and raging mouth I stared right into the Abyss. It was no imagined thing, since I consciously noticed that it had the correct anatomy of an actual head.)
Furthermore these images on the walls, which are really only for the audience's eyes alone and not relating to the actors in the movie, make me think of the interactive computor-games of our modern age, where the viewer is part of the events on the screen. Such added new visual cosmetics really doesn't belong in a 1970s movie.

I recommend the 25th Anniversary Edition, which is the original version. It is also better paced. Another added scene in "The Version You've Never Seen" is of Regan's first visit to the hospital for tests; it comes too abruptly, and Regan being in her mother's bed, telling her that she couldn't sleep because her own bed was shaking, doesn't really seem to warrant it. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Possibly the best comedy/horror B-Movie out there!
When I got this on VHS, I expected just the fun that was awaiting to happen. As soon as I saw Melvin and his clownish encounters with Bozo's gang, I couldn't do nothing but laugh hysterically. You should really see how much of a nerd Melvin is. As cheesy as the movie is, it's a classic and it contains non-stop cheesy action, comedy, gore, and everything you can wish for. The story is basically about a 98 lbs nerd named Melvin who works at the Health Club and gets tossed and bullied around. Eventually he gets chased out a window and falls into chemical waste and burns, goes home and voila! becomes The Toxic Avenger! now the rest of the way, you'll have to watch for yourself what he does. I recommend it to all the people out there who enjoy cheesy flicks like 'Killer Klowns from Outer Space' and 'Revenge of the Nerds'. This is the best Troma film ever! hahaha.

The First And Best Of The Toxic Avenger Series!
A 98-pound weakling falls into a barrel of toxic waste and is transformed into a towering hulk of sludge wearing a tutu. At times very gross, the film has developed a cult following.

I love all the violent scenes in this film. It shows you what would happen if you did something like that to someone, but you were to afraid to do it. The violent scenes are also hilarious!
Little kids would just love this film if their parents would let them watch it, which would be really funny.

There aren't too many jokes told in this one. But whenever there are, they are just as funny as Melvin sticking a mop down some guy's throat.

This is the best TOXIC AVENGER film ever. It's a shame that Part 2 & 3 were so bad. Those next two films were horrible. If you want to know what I thought of them, then go check out the sequels and look in the reviews for my name. I'm not going to act like God and tell you to stay away from them. If you want to see them, then go ahead!

I would've actually given this three and a half stars, but since I can't, I'll just give it a fair rate of three stars.

I hope my review was helpful to you!

Oh my god!!! It's the Toxic Avenger...
It all started with a Mop Boy...
His name was Melvin...
Hated by just about everyone, they tortured him. After being cruelly humiliated, the hapless Melvin plunges head first into a barrel of some kind of toxic waste, to emerge the next day transformed into: The Toxic Avenger!!!

One of the Troma Greats, the Toxic Avenger is a classic movie in which good seeks out evil, and finds true love... It is a shame that there are only five stars, because this movie breaks the limit. Go for it, you won't regret it at all!!!

Troma's best
This is definitely one of Troma's best. Peace out!

Oh yeah. What a relief.
A Horror-Comedy comparable to Dead Alive, Army of Darkness, Return of the Living Dead, and Re-Animator. The Toxic Avenger is a cheezy super hero movie, and that's the point. Toxie's erly days, were humble, he was the school nerd who was picked on and teased alot, then one day he falls into some toxic waste and it deforms him, but it gives him superhuman strength, and thus he becomes The Toxic Avenger! If you don't like this film, consider yourself ignorant and in desperate need of therapy. This movie is just flat out funny. Smart people will get it, but the stuck up squares will not. This movie was made this way intentionally. This is the only Trama film worth your time. It's so funny. I haven't laughed so hard in forever. This is a 5 star comedy. Definately a must see for people with taste. ... Read more

Reviews (82)

Bless the Child
I loved this movie. I watch a lot of movies and this one has it all. Suspense, Drama, Action, Excellent Special Effects and Horror! I'm not sure why this movie has lame reviews but if you ask me it is sadly under rated. This movie was suprisingly uplifting, maybe that's why some don't like it, it's not 'The Omen' in fact it's the complete opposite and that's what I loved about it and found very encouraging. This day and age everyone wants to blame God for all the bad in the world and this movie shows that it's not God but Satan that underminds the weak minded. Again, probably another reason why some don't like this movie. I'm suprised Kim Basinger agreed to play this role. I'm under the impression that she's a huge, NONE beleiveing in God, liberal. As the movie says, 'Satan's best work was getting people to beleive there is no God, or Satan, at all.' This is true in real life too. There's so many people who only beleive in themselves and only what they can see. ALSO: The Theory of EVOLUTION, Satans best work indeed. Have you been dooped? Anyway, at least rent it and you'll see what I mean, this movie is brilliant and I'm proud to have it in my DVD collection.

Trite and pedestrian
This film is a dreadful attempt at producing a supernatural thriller pitting the forces of good (God) against evil (Satan). This script is abominable. The story is utterly unimaginative in its premise and the dialogue is incredibly bad. The behavior of the characters, especially Maggie (Kim Basinger) is often incongruous and sometimes ludicrous.

The story is about a modern second coming of Christ, with the little Christ girl being born to a drug addict (Angela Bettis) and left with her Aunt Maggie. The child is being sought out by the disciples of Satan with the intention of converting her to the dark side or killing her. The army of inept devil worshipers keeps kidnapping her and our mousy heroine single handedly keeps outwitting them and stealing her back followed by interminable car chases pursued by a stretch limo. Meanwhile, a group of nuns gets together and prays aloud that God will protect Maggie and the child in one of the film's most laughable scenes. All this culminates in a showdown between God and Satan including some lame visual effects.

A number of reputable actors are wasted on this hack script. Jimmy Smits is a good actor who gives his standard solid cop portrayal. Kim Basinger can be excellent in the right role. She is good in sexy roles, certain dramatic roles and has even proven to be an effective comedian at times. However, an action heroine she is not and will never be. The most convincing performance is given by Angela Bettis as Jenna, who looked genuinely strung out on heroine.

Supernatural thrillers provide unlimited possibilities for creativity and imagination. This pedestrian script is a trite treatment of a familiar story that is poorly written and directed. I rated it a 3/10. If you are intent on seeing a ridiculous supernatural thriller see "End Of Days" with Arnold Schwarzenegger. At least you will get some good action footage with your tripe.

ACHOO!
Sorry about that ... the devil made me do it .....standard little fare with rather odd special effects regarding Old Nic, or if you prefer Lucifer [the pretty one] staging a comeback through Rufus Seawell' s cult[a dead ringer for a more dapper Marty Feldman -"Ma His Making EYES At me"!] Kidding aside ....'DOGMA" is really more more more fun than this tired little epic. Lushly photographed and rather well acted by basinger, Smits and the rest - reminds STRONGLY of an earlier SMITS- the Santaria one - far scarier ...

Here we have a small army of worthless, punked out goths, shooting it up and doing what comes naturally.

Not sure about all of the'messages' .......after all considering this rock we inhabit - it's not really prime time galactic territory for the gods - now is it?

I'd rather be in control of the entire pulse .....
but that's just an opinion.

For thrills - it does the job .... great sound design!

[Now, 'Unman, Wittering and Zygo' .... there was something....]

Bland, and much more.
Yes, this movie is pretty typical of those other Satan/church movies. I had some other problems with it though...

Like for example, the fact it expected us to think an old woman was a frightening enemy. And also the idea that limos are great vehicles for car chases.

Poor goths...they keep getting a bad rap in movies. I've known lots of goths, and very little of them worship Satan and go after little girls with razor blades.

Enjoyable religious thriller
Wow, I really enjoyed this supernatural thriller. Kim Basinger plays the guardian of a very special chosen little girl. Rufus Sewell plays the devil. Interesting film, scary effects, recommended. Beware a few swear words and a decapatation. The rest is blessed! Good acting and great story.

Good to see a hollywood film that honours God instead of blaspheming Him. ... Read more

Reviews (174)

Is it just me?
The plain and simple truth is that Keanu Reeves can't act. Never could, but somehow this inability was disguised until "Devil's advocate". But Reeves' characterization of a southerner lawyer turn into a hotshot in one of the most preeminent firms in New York (was it NY? Don't remember) is, to say the least, pitiable. There's one scene in special that embarrassed me, and I kept thinking that this guy is in fact being paid millions to do that. Well, the blame should be divided with the director, the person responsible for the casting and with millions of spectators that still think he's an actor.

Aside from that, "Devil's advocate has many other flaws. Al Pacino as John Milton/The Evil One is laughable. And I like Pacino. If Satan was half as idiotic as Pacino portraits it, the world would be an eternal rainbow-sunshine scene. The plot of this movie is so thin I already forgot it. All other characters (with the exception of the two women) are just ridiculous sidekicks in the unfinishable story of the battle of Good against evil. I can't remember one single actor in this movie other than Reeves, Pacino, Theron and Nielsen. The final confrontation scene and the whole situation it involves is so grotesquely scripted that the movie looses even the aura of "fable", something that could save parts of the story.

I give "Devil's advocate" two stars because of Charlize Theron and Connie Nielsen. The south african is extremely beautiful, and a competent actress that draws attention whenever she's on screen. The dane , though barely opening her mouth, has an unforgettable facial expression, and is also very beautiful.

Watch this only if it runs on TV on Wednesday night and you have absolutely nothing else to do.

Sensational!
I loved this movie. Outstanding in practically every way. Al Pacino's portrayal of Lucifer is exactly how I have always perceived the dark angel to be. The devil does not have horns or a tail, he has the face of man himself. I am always amazed at how the religious zealots seem to conveniently forget that Lucifer was the highest angel, an archangel, thrown out of heaven because of his arrogance and rebelliousness, not because he was a mad demon.

Pacino plays this character beautifully - he is sly, charismatic, chilling, and seductive all at once. One of my favorite scenes was the elevator scene where Milton bates Kevin's mother by calling her "Mrs. Lomax" and asking her slyly that "surely this wasn't her first trip to New York". Absolutely wicked! Then, as Milton casually wisks Kevin off to a night on the town at the Flamingo club and the boxing match (naturally Don King would have an alliance with Satan), I was mezmerized watching Milton weave his spell and reel Kevin smoothly into his web. Pacino's climaxtic argument is brilliant as he exclaims that he's a fan of man and why. As I watched Kevin's descent from Maryann,(Charlize Theron and Keanu had wonderful chemistry as a married couple),I was reminded of how we all make certain decisions then try to justify our actions later, usually with the precursor that, "It wasn't MY fault, it was the work of Satan... then, like Kevin, we make the same decisions over and over.

I thought Keanu Reeves was perfect as the cool, arrogant, hotshot attorney who knows that he is so...good. I am completely baffled by all the haters panning Keanu's acting, he did a great job. I thought the casting of all the actors were on point in this movie, everyone connected with each other and with their characters.

My only complaint is that the deleted scenes cannot not be viewed without the director's commentary. The sub-titles can't even be displayed. While this DVD has one of the best director's commentary's, it would be nice to have the option of watching the deleted scenes on their own since these scenes contribute to the continuity of the story and clear up questions a viewer may have. Overall, this movie is just outstanding!

A Guilty Pleasure
The story a lawyer who works for the devil, not as dumb as it sounds, in fact a surprisingly great movie. Both Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino in great roles.

It makes your stomach churn in two different ways.
"The Devil's Advocate" is one of those movies that you can't stop thinking about after it's finished. Scenes keep replaying through your head. It's a movie that makes you think, despite it's strange, fantasy-like plot-line. Al Pacino, without a doubt, delivers one of the best and most potent performances of his career. Keanu Reeves isn't up to his usual standard of acting, but he plays wooden characters very well. Once again, in "The Devil's Advocate", Keanu is wooden. That's alright though, it really doesn't take anything away from the story line. It doesn't matter who the director intended to be the movies main character; Pacino steals the show, but don't get me wrong. He has his competition.

Charlize Theron delivers a performance the caliber of which I didn't think she was capable. She portrays the stages of madness through which her character stumbles through very accurately, cryptically, and passionately. Her character (Keanu Reeves' wife) is slowly isolated and cut off from her husband through the doing Pacino, who uses the seven deadly sins to manipulate Keanu and keep him as far away from his wife as possible while at the same time manipulating her with a various assortment of devilish tricks.

The dialogue in this movie is incredible. The conversations in this movie alone are worth watching. Pacino generally has the most thought-provoking lines in the film, though Keanu's mother and Theron have their moments. I can't think of a single flaw in the character chemistry and interactions within this movie. It's perfect. Half the movie you feel your stomach writhing and twisting as you find yourself thinking and re-evaluating issues and aspects of your life you'd either forgotten about or taken for granted. These aren't the only time in which you'll feel your stomach doing helixes in your bowels, however.

For the other half of the movie, your insides will squirm with discomfort. This movie is one of the most R rated movies I've ever seen. Chalked full with graphic images including nudity, horror, blood/guts, violence and dialogue that includes some seriously disturbing topics, this movie becomes increasingly difficult to sit through as you go on. The director makes it very clear he's not sparing the viewer for anything. The camera rarely ever cuts or zooms in during the appropriate moments. Instead, he captures everything in startling detail. For instance, a suicide scene in which a character slits their throat is very, very graphic and terrifyingly realistic. Another scene of sequence of violence goes back and forth between Pacino talking about humans greed and a character in the movie being beaten to death by two demons (supposedly sent by Al Pacino). Other examples of disturbing images would be a series of scenes that feature Charlize Theron, one in which you see her completely nude with large gashes and slashes across her body, and another scene which could easily be classified as horror and is too difficult to really describe. It suffices to say that it involves Charlize Theron and a baby child within a conjured halucination of Pacino's; yet another way of driving Theron's character mad.

When these two elements combine, it makes for a compelling and thought provoking film pot-holed with graphic imagery and disturbing themes. Even the climax of the movie includes an impressive amount of nudity, sexual content and violence. Despite all of this though, "The Devil's Advocate" is a very worth-while and ultimately poweful film, if not completely comfortable to watch all the way through. I don't recommend this movie for family viewing or young children. It's a movie that you need to mentally prepare for, and perhaps have an "antidote" movie lined up, perhaps a good-hearted comedy. There is one more good thing I can say for this movie; it has a satisfying ending. It's a film where the ending could make or break the entire feel of the movie. If you're going to sit through a movie that feels twice as long as it is with the constant assaults on your senses and comfort with controversy, adult themes and disturbing images, you're holding out for a good ending. Well, without a doubt, "The Devil's Advocate" delivers. In short, this movie is worth seeing simply for it's thought-provoking dialogue and plot-line.

Will You Play The Expression?
Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) is a success in the courtroom and out of it. He's a young Florida defense attorney who has never lost a case. No matter how repugnant the crime, no matter how guilty the defendant, Kevin Lomax has the power to mesmerize the jury into accepting his arguments, buying into his logic, being convinced by his charisma; and freeing his clients. Soon after he has successfully won the case, where he defended an obviously guilty child molester, Lomax is invited to New York, where a powerful law firm has become aware of the Florida hotshot's acquittal record. Here he meets John Milton (Al Pacino), the founder and head of "Milton, Chadewick, Waters", a mysterious and powerful law firm with contacts and clients all over the world. It is this charismatic and charming man that opens the door to a completely different world; a world of luxury and pleasure, wealth and power; a world of endless possibilities. This is heaven on earth. But as Lomax tastes the power of being a wealthy New York attorney, something in him changes. Winning is no longer just a goal; it becomes an obsession. Soon he starts to realize that things are not what they seem to be; and all the things he once had and cared about -a happy marriage with Mary Ann (Charlize Theron), his relationship with his mother, all his happiness - everything disappear amidst the sparkling illusion of paradise. He suddenly realizes that Heaven and Hell can co-exist at the same place and at the same time.

I do not intend to reveal anything else, since all of the interesting surprises will be presented in the intense and inspiring climax. This is probably Reeves' best performance. He manages to create a believable character - a kind of example, a role model for the American way of life. Kevin's wife, Mary Ann, is most likely the hardest character to play, since she goes through a complex and difficult emotional evolution. From being strong, devoted and ambitious (a female copy of her husband) to vulnerable, hurt and on the verge of madness. Charlize Theron gracefully floats into this character. The most interesting of performances and characters is John Milton - the essence of Kevin Lomax's temptation. Al Pacino is nothing less than astonishing, an award worthy performance that is as good as anything seen this year.

An inspiring thriller, visually stunning as well as thought provoking, 'The Devil's Advocate' should be viewed with an open mind. ... Read more

Reviews (109)

The superb acting makes this film worth while
While many critics had utter distaste for "The Astronaut's Wife," I happened to enjoy this horror/sci-fi film very much. It's a lot of fun, and it has eerie cinematography that really draws the viewer into the film. But the real thing that makes this not-so-original flick worth while to watch is the superb acting from Johnny Depp ("Sleepy Hollow," "Edward Scissor Hands") and the stunning, absolutely magnificent Charlize Theron ("Devil's Advocate," "2 Days in the Valley"). Both these actors are very talented and perhaps at the top of their generation. Joe Morton (veteran co-star of "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" and "Speed") also has a small role here, which makes it all the better.

The film is about an astronaut's wife (Theron) who finds out that her husband (Depp) has come back from space and has been posessed by some alien force. He now has plans on Earth for world domination after he impregnates his wife with his alien children. This is where Morton comes in as he desperately tries to tell the astronaut's wife what is happening. The story moves along at a brisk, yet somewhat predictable pace, and it's really only the ending that proves to have any jolt of suspense and breathless unpredictability. Overall, if you enjoy this type of genre, "The Astronaut's Wife" is well worth your time and money to see.

I couldn't stop thinking about it.
I watched this movie when it was on TV one night. This was when I hadn't even heard the bad reviews. After it was done I just sat there. Ususally, I can tell I really like a movie by the way it sticks with me. Throughout the whole week, I couldn't stop thinking about it and I knew I had to get it.The acting was fantastic. Sure the plot was well..stupid. But I can't really take any movie with aliens seriously. The reason it only recieved 4 stars was because the ending was awful. I really hate it when a great movie is ruined by the ending. But, what are you going to do? If you are a Johnny Depp fan then you will enjoy this movie. Like I said, the acting was great, the mood was suspenseful and it really stuck with me. That ending is just an unfortunate circumstance.

Mystery? What mystery?
Glad I caught this one free on TV. Surely I'm not spoiling it for you if I say that the "astronauts" impregnate their wives with alien babies? Snore...I figured that out 10 minutes into the movie. What a painfully boring movie this is.

A very optumistic dark thriller, it's great
Johnny Depp and Charleze Theron are one of the most gifed actors in hollywood today and this piece is one of the most dakest, smooth sexy thriller where johnny depp plays an astronaut caught up in deep space for two minutes where he had a near death experience as a transmetic wave collided and entered his body forcing his original charecter to dissapear and an alien to takeover his body, all this in two minutes. Charleze, who plays a vunreble wife and 2nd grade school teacher in florida realizes a change in her husband's reactons and investigates further with the help of a retired scientist from NASA.
A twisted ending, terrific screenplay and a dynamic score, all star cast and one of the greatest dark thrillers in hollywood today, the astronaut's wife is a keeper. 9.5/10.

Harmless thriller
Good acting from Depp & Theron (an interesting pairing that could work in a different film) can't save this predictable thriller that relies heavily on overwrought suspension of disbelief. Is it the writing or the direction? Hmmm...I think it's more of a case of, "Hey...let's try and make an alien version of ROSEMARY'S BABY." Polanski did it first and he did it better, and no Mia Farrow haircut can help Theron (who is burdened with nearly every scene in the movie) out of this jam. In a different era, this would have been a great DRIVE IN movie. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

What a huge surprise
I wasn't expecting much out of this movie but it succeeded where most other horror/parody movies fail....it's actually funny.
Chucky's former girlfriend is unhappy. Living in a trailer park, involved with a jerk that makes black look un-goth, all she's got to get her through is that someday she'll be reunited with her one true love. Guess what? She gets her wish.
Bride of Chucky is gory, campy, still manages to be cheesy even with very good special effects, and is basically just a very fun, charming movie.

Oh, to further compliment the movie, Spook master Rob Zombie is the main attraction on the soundtrack. With Rob Zombie you can't lose!

Best Parody Sequel Ever
.... From the beginning to the end you will be screaming your head off and laughing .... The special effects were fantastic, compared to the cheezy ones from the other 3. The dialogue is hilarious, especially the banter between Chucky (Brad Dourif) and his bride to be Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly). Katherine Heigl (WB's Roswell) is super .... Alexis Arquette and John Ritter are hilariously evil ..., but it is the most hideously bizarre and funniest scenes ever.

chucky is the best there ever was
I went and seen chuckies bride and the movie was worth the price I paid for it. I think you guys should make more of those movies,all I can say is keep up the good work,and once again chucky rules!!!

CHUCKY IS AWESOME
I thought Bride Of Chucky was the best in the series and also my second favorite comes Child's Play 2. I have an obsession with wanting Chucky to come back ever since I saw Child's Play 3 and then Bride Of Chucky came out and now I have an obsession with wanting Chucky to come back. Chucky Rules.

Movie Bride Of Chuckie
I would like to see the movie please ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Intriguing political horror movie, but short on scares
1981 was "The Great Werewolf Year," when three major films heralded a revival of the legendary monster. "The Howling" and "An American Werewolf in London" have both become classics, while the third, "Wolfen," remains an oddity. It is definitely the strangest of the three and makes unusual changes to the werewolf mythology to the point that it might not be about werewolves at all. The usual standards of the genre -- silver bullets, wolfsbane, transformations, curses -- are nowhere to be seen, although there are hints of spiritual powers and cunning intelligence beyond the natural world. And while "American Werewolf in London" and "The Howling" contained extensive comedy and many genre-references along with their horror, "Wolfen" plays its story straight and dead serious. It has social issues mixed into its thrills 'n' chills premise: a police detective (Albert Finney) investigating murders in New York City that point toward a wolf-like killer, or possibly a whole pack of them. Director Michael Wadleigh (his only other film is the classic concert documentary "Woodstock") uses the horror movie backdrop as a venue for commentary on class, environmentalism, industrialization, and Native American politics.

This is an ambitious bill to fill, and "Wolfen" doesn't quite manage to pull it off. You can appreciate Wadleigh's goals, but he often trips over trying to do too much. The political grandstanding makes for a thoughtful horror movie, but it also slows the film down and overbalances it. Sometimes, you just want action and scares, and "Wolfen" frequently drags. It would have rocked at ninety-minutes, but at nearly two hours, it goes on for too long. The open moves rapidly, and the ending delivers the right amount of apocalyptic violence you expect, but in the center the spaces between the wolf attacks start feeling longer and longer.

Some of various elements never fit together, and a few plot points just left on the ground. The mystery surrounding the creatures is, however, appropriate -- sometimes it's better for a horror film to avoid spelling out everything for you.

Where "Wolfen" works best is in Wadleigh's superb visual style and the realistic performances. The use of a polarization effect and a steadicam to represent the wolves' POV is quite stunning and eerie. Wadleigh also expertly films New York City and its run-down slums. The film absolutely breathes with a battered, decayed atmosphere. Wadleigh really goes all out with unusual visua; approaches, and it gives the film a polished and inventive feel. Albert Finney and Diane Venora are both good in their roles; Finney especially projects a wonderful world-weariness that matches the setting around him. The film thankfully doesn't load him down with excess psychological baggage. We don't need to have his troubles explained to us; we can SEE them in the world in which he lives. Edward James Olmos is also memorable as a Native American who draws Finney's suspicions early in the movie. Gregory Hines, however, is too exaggerated in his semi-comic role (the only comedy in the film) of the coroner working with Finney. The movie also has an excellent early score from James Horner (composer of "Titanic" and "Aliens").

The DVD has an extremely good transfer, which is surprising considering the film's age. The print looks almost pristine and is gorgeously formatted in widescreen. Warner Bros. usually doesn't put this much effort into back catalog movies like this. The Dolby Surround Stereo is adequate (I occasionally noticed some synch problems) and a bit low in volume. The extras are skimpy: the trailer, a page listing the cast and crew, and a few screens of text on the history of werewolf movies. (An earlier edition advertised audio commentary on the back of the snap case, but this was a misprint.)

"Wolfen" is worth a look for horror fans, or people who want some social commentary and intelligence with their thrills. If you can make it through the slower sections, you'll find it a rewarding viewing experience.

Gothic Horror book turns into Horrendous Film
I gave this one star because that's as low as this site goes. I was so absolutely taken with Whitley Streiber's novel that I could hardly wait for the film to come out. Talk about disappointment - I could hardly sit through the appalling drivel unfolding on the screen.I'm not a violent person but if I'd had the director/ screenplay writer within reach I believe I'd have killed them stone dead.
Admittedly, the title is the same and there are wolves involved but there the resemblance to the book ends. I hope Whitley Streiber was well paid for the butchering of his fine book and that he gives to a lot of charities.
Michael Wadleigh apparently directed this movie and unsurprisingly he never directed a movie again other than a couple of documentaries about Woodstock. He now works as a bus driver in Akron, Ohio.
If his bus driving is the same as his directing and screenplay then I'll go by cab.

Dave W

Terrible book 2 movie!
i wish i could say i enjoyed this movie but if you read the book this movie is insulting to the original plot! Ok we know that movies have to divert from the novel but this was unreal. The novel based these creatures as been highly evolved and down right errie looking canines that appeared half ape half wolf ( the best way i can describe them ). So i sit down excited to see that one of my fav all time books is a movie and i find out they minaly used german shepards !!!! Please people and the story had been terribly distorted till hardly any of it's atmosphere and true scary momments were left. Not to say the movie didnt have the odd errie scene but they were few and far between. The novel set these creatures as deadly hunters in our midst for centuries hunting our weak and sick without us knowing. This in my mind was quite a scary notion and we thought them men turned into wolves because of their intelligence that matched our own. The writer created a rich and moody atmosphere and in my mind totally original plotlines. The movie toke all that goodness and basically ditched most of it! Unless your amused by DOGS running around and in the end them vanishing in what can only be described as a terrible ending ( these creatures were flesh and blood in the novel not wiggy spirits ) dont waste your time i LOVE werewolf flicks and believe me it's not often i say such negative things about a film but this is a BAD movie even if you you are unaware of the injustice it did the novel it's still a silly and badly made flick!

Read The Book Instead
As much as I would like to say this was a great horror movie, it, unfortunately, falls far short of the potential of the genuine feeling of fear created by the book it was based on. I have no objection to the actors, they all did a good job with the script they were given, and the adaption was even acceptable. My major problem with this movie wasin the use of GERMAN SHEPARDS, for god's sake, to represent the canine equivalent of man on the evolutionary scale. The whole point of the story was that a branch of canines had evolved as far as man had evolved from apes, and had kept themselves hidden from mankind for all these years, feeding on the weak and the sick among us, never allowing themselves to be discovered except in the legends of werewolves and devils of the night. Tn the book, it was presented as though it were both possible and likely. In the moviy, the wolfen were no more frightning than a pack of feral dogs hanging around a city dump.

Absolutle horror satisfaction!!!
I loved it. What a great movie. Wolfen is scary and it has that dark and slow plot that makes it effective. Just do not get attached to many of the main characters. The plot is quite original, and if ever was remade by todays standards would become an instant hit. Too bad it is very underrated. The last fifteen minutes or so of the movie happens suddenly, and man, it will raise the hair on the back of your neck. Are they real or not? You answer that question by seeing this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (132)

A Must For King Fans; For The Others, Read On...
At the outset I'd like to say that King's fans are gonna love this one. It's a bit slow, long, but it's spooky, scary, terrifying, nightmarish, and it delivers an unforgettable message at the end. Vintage King.

Now, for the rest...

A weird guy shows up in an island in Maine (King's favorite State), and kills an old lady for no real reason. But he doesn't go away - he waits to get arrested. In this case, however, the real prisoners are the residents, some of whom are murdered in vicious ways by the stranger, with the help of his ominous-looking cane.

Colm Feore is terrific in the role of the evil man, while Tim Daly does a decent job as the town grocer and Constable. The really cool thing about this film is that you never notice the length (close to 4 hours!), as scene after scene captures your imagination and tortures your soul.

Small town mentalities and moralities are exposed for what they are - cheap, narrow, selfish, and deadly. Each character has (or has had) a past (or present) that they'd never like the world to ever know. But the stranger (the Legion) knows EVERYTHING about everyone.

As secrets come out, and as hidden conflicts are brought out into the open, one can see the characters change faces. When the main objective of the stranger is revealed by him during a town meeting during the course of the storm, it's time for soul-searching and morals-testing. None emerges unscathed, except Tim Daly and his wife, though in completely opposite ways.

The ending is definitely not satisfactory, and seems forced to deliver some sort of closure to the viewer.

In summary- Positive things:

1. Good, strong character development.

2. Powerful storyline.

3. Intelligent, relevant screenplay.

4. Good photography.

5. Excellent acting by most.

6. Wonderful music score.

Negative things:

1. Length (some people will definitely groan!)

2. Unsatisfactory ending.

3. Colm Feore is not used very well.

4. Slow beginning, with a few scenes of really bad dialogue delivery and acting.

Finally A King Film You Can Watch ...
...without wanting to smash your tv-set.

This movie had to be good, because Stephen King himself wrote the screenplay - which was an original screenplay and no adaptation from one of his story. King wrote this sinister little tale especially for ABC television and I have to admit, that beside the fact that it is a good story for a cold night, snow piling up outside, it is a very good mvie as well. I loved the actors, the filming and just every minute of the 4-hour mini-series. I even watched the whole thing just listening to Stephen King's commentary (although I skipped the parts director Craig Baxley commented) - the commentary was as good as the movie itself, because it was not some poor strawhat talking about something, but Stephen King doing what he can do best: not commenting, but telling. Stephen King gives very delightful inside-information on the making of the movie and talks about works related to this movie, how he came across the idea for the story (it was partly influenced by a play by Friedrich Dürenmatt King had a part in when being in High School), how he tried to work it out, stuff like that. So this is a very interesting bonus for every Stephen King fan: you get a very good movie and a very fine commentary by Stephen King, with all the information and all the amusing details 'n' extras.

Story's Rough Cut: Small town off the coast of Maine, Little Tall Island, the setting of "Dolores Claiborne" - "life on the island is different from the life on the mainland." Stranger makes the small township aware of his evil presence by murdering an old woman, Martha Clarendon, and therefore arrested - "because I choose," as the stranger, André Linoge, claims. Linoge knows all the dirty little secrets of the clean-shirted islanders and he wants what he inevites, unless he will not go away. What exactly Linoge wants, you have to find out for yourselves, sorry. It is worth finding out, believe me, just this one time! ;-)

Let me finish with a praise for the movie by some newspaper I do not remember, "it is a high-voltage, spine-tingling shocker, which has been called one of the best King films ever!" It sure is.

Don't waste your time
I really like Stephen King, but this has got to be one of his worst works ever. EVER. The plot is intruiging, but the movie is sooooo long. It's like, what, five hours? The movie pulls you in with an interesting begining, and keeps you watching with a so-so middle, but there is really no point. There is so much unneccesary information and there are so many pointless scenes. Yeah, like, seven people or so die, but there isn't really anything all too exciting about it. After a while, this movie becomes quite annoying, and you just want to see what the guy wants, and what he wants is rather idiotic, and is very anti-climactic. So, in my opinion, don't waste your time watching this.

"Gimme what I want and I'll go away."
Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away. Gimme what I want and I'll go away.

Was that annoying? Now you know how I felt going through this film.

He wants a kid. That's what he wants. He wants a kid. There, I just saved you three hours of agonizing torture.

Good movie, loses it at the end
I watched Storm of the Century yesterday, with low expectations. However, it did exceed them. At 4 1/2 hours long, you need to have a lot of patience with it. The movie maintained a good element of mystery, but about two hours in the movie you'll want it to speed up. It has its quick gasps and scares, and the usual King twistedness. The movie also made some good Roanoke references. The most dissapointing part of the movie was the end. The solution to the problem was the one you expected so, it lost the element of mystery towards the end. The movie is not really scary as you watching it, but in the dark, some scenes of it come back to you. I would see it if you have a decent amount of time on your hands and nothing else to do. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

GREAT VIDEO
THIS WAS A GREAT VIDEO.IT WAS SUCH A GREAT BOOK THAT MY SISTER AND I WATCH IT ALMOST EVERY NIGHT.IT'S ABOUT A MUMMY THAT COMES TO LIFE IF SOME WORDS ARE READ.HE TRYS TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD...................

A few handsome young people and great special effects....
Since this is a re-make, I assume that the story/plot was always this lame. BUT, there are some really entertaining special effects, though, not completely believable as most of the recent computer generated stuff.

There is kinda of a touching romance between the lovely young British girl and Brendan Fraser's character. However, the more enjoyable charasters were young lady