The Frighteners [1997]

This is one title that it is difficult not to commend highly to anyone from any background. It has something in it for everyone and really deserves much more recognition and praise than it has so far received.


brilliant underated film   February 5, 2002
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

i have to agree with all the other reviews, this simply is one of the best films i have ever seen, michael j fox is on top form and really makes this film, the story is a real gem and has a great ending. jake busey is particularly good as the nasty villian back from hell to wreck havoc, as are the rest of the cast. looking at the film you would never guess it was made in new zealand the production quality is so good! peter jackson has made a fine job at the helm as well as writing the very witty script. one of the best parts about watching the film is spotting all the shortland street characters who play cameo parts in the film as well as fox's dead wife! bravo, top film although no one is likely to see it! please buy it you will not be dissapointed.


Jackson does it again   February 21, 2003
T. Couchman (UK)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I bought this film purely because its directed by Peter Jackson and he did not disappoint one bit. The man is pure genius an I love every one of his films. Hopefully becoming a household name due to lord of the rings wont affect him and turn him into another hollywood luvvy.
Although the plot (serial killer continues his murders from beyond the grave) may not be totally original, the style and humour with which its done lifts it above the rest.
Another great plus for this film was Michael J Fox. His performance was great, by far the best i've seen from him. The rest of the cast do a decent job, nice to see Mr Combs again too!
This film really does deserve more exposure cus its brill. when I find films like this I feel like running up to people in the street and telling them to go and buy it and see what a decent film is like!

In closing I'd like to say once again that this film is great, you will not be disappointed if you buy it (which I strongly urge you to do)


Possibly the best horror-comedy out there...   November 15, 2000
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Peter Jackson, the non-appologetic purveyor of bad taste and graphic violence (see "Braindead" and "Bad Taste" for proof) comes to America in fine style with this spooky visual treat. Michael J Fox (in his best role yet) plays Frank Bannister, a psychic ghostbuster who is in cahoots with the ghoulies he is supposedly exorcising. When the mysterious ethreal "Soul Collector" begins a killing spree in Frank's hometown, there begins a race against time to stop the killings and get the girl. "The Frighteners" has some of the best special effects around, a fact which is of particular note in this pristine DVD release. Every drop of blood and ectoplasm is immaculately rendered for the gore conisseurs out there. The movie manages one of the most difficult filmic tricks, to be both frightening and funny. The cowled Soul Collector is a fearsome sight as it flies through the night squeezing peoples' hearts until they explode. But as the revelations pile up, and Jackson's gleefully anarchic sense of humour comes to the fore, it is impossible not to be carried away by this joyful, occasionally gruesome, blcak comedy classic. As an added bonus for fans of the genre, there is an appearance by everyone's favourite "Re-Animator", Jeffery Combs, as a woman hating FBI investigator. Too weird to describe successfully, this is a must see, and a must own.


Underrated by many but a damn fine film   September 14, 2001
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Absolutely no one has heard of this film. No one went to see it at the cinema and no one will ever talk about it to anoyone else because it will not be remembered. Except by myself and the lucky few people who have seen it. We all know Peter Jackson is a genius. He's going to be much more well known when The Lord of the Rings is released so hopefully this great film will get discovered by many more. 'Cause it's a shame that it has been ignored. It's a multi-genre film and this is probably the reason it proved so poor box office wise, no one really "got" it. But I say to all who care, watch it, it's entertaining, what more can you ask for?