boyajian@akov68.DEC (Jerry Boyajian) (05/12/84)
is based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, and is very faithful to the
book. The story revolves around 8-year-old Charlie McGee, daughter of two people
who were tested with an experimental drug 10 years ago that was supposed to
bring out latent psi talents. Each of the parents developed a psi power, but
when Charlie was born, it was found out that she did, too. Her power is to set
objects on fire with her mind. Now, a clandestine [isn't that the best kind]
government organization, the Shop [after A.E. van Vogt's THE WEAPON SHOPS OF
ISHER], tries to kidnap Charlie to test her to see if her powers can be used as
a weapon. Well, they sure can, as she demonstrates by eventually turning the
Shop compound into a pile of ashes.
The beginning of the film is rather weak, mostly because David Keith is
not a strong enough actor to pull off a central role like Andy McGee (Charlie's
father), and Drew Barrymore, good as she is, couldn't carry the whole shebang.
Once Martin Sheen and George C. Scott come on-stage, as the head of the Shop and
his chief assassin, respectively, the film really takes off and finishes with an
incredible display of pyrotechnic special effects that leave you breathless. The
film succeeds in bringing out just the proper emotions at the proper time, and
the two scenes from the book that had lasting impact, are brought off quite well
in the film, especially the end.
This is, with the probable exception of CARRIE, the most satisfying King
based film to date. Highly recommended. ****1/2 out of 5.
--- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC Maynard, MA)
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