Movie Review: The Frighteners

Imagine some of your favorite 80s and 90s adventure/sci-fi/fantasy flicks. Back to the Future. Jurassic Park. ET. Movies you just loved to death as a kid or younger person. Now what if I told you there’s one you haven’t seen before, but is right in the same vein? It even stars Michael J. Fox. And it’s directed by Peter Jackson.

Do I have your attention yet?

Good. Because the cover to The Frighteners is just lame. I mean, it’s cool from a design-standpoint, but I don’t think it represents the movie well at all. It makes it look like a stock horror flick, and this is definitely a light horror comedy.

Now, first a word of caution. It’s technically R. Before that turns you off, you should know this is pretty unjustified in this case. There’s no nudity or anything, only light swearing (not even the obligatory F word PG13 movies usually have these days). The violence is all cartoony–Men in Black stuff or lighter.

This is not an R-rated film, whatever it might say on the box.

With that out of the way, let me give you the set up. Ghosts are real. Michael J. Fox can see them. And team up with them to con people into getting him to come and perform exorcisms. But then there’s this big bad ghost who might be killing people. and it takes an unhealthy interest in Fox. Action and adventure follows.

It really was a blast of a film, and I was so pleased to discover it on Netflix instant. It’s not 4 star material or anything, but it’s perfect for what it tries to be. Fun. Fast. Entertaining. A very strong 3 star movie, and a perfect popcorn flick. Check it out.

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