The Frighteners
Peter Jackson blends horror, comedy and fantasy in this film about a psychic (Michael J. Fox) who initially works with spirits to con money out of customers but then becomes a legitimate paranormal investigator when the spirit of a mass murderer begins attacking both the living and the dead.
Shot in Wellington, this is Jackson's first Hollywood-funded film, backed by Universal Studios and producer Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future).
- Director:
- Peter Jackson ('The Lovely Bones', 'King Kong', 'The Lord of the Rings', 'Heavenly Creatures', 'Braindead', 'Meet the Feebles', 'Bad Taste')
- Writer:
- Fran WalshPeter Jackson
- Cast:
- Michael J. FoxTrini AlvaradoPeter DobsonJohn AstinJeffrey CombsDee WallaceJake BuseyChi McBrideJim FyfeTroy EvansJulianna McCarthyR. Lee ErmeyElizabeth HawthorneAngela Bloomfield
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressA two-tone scarefest, the first half a facetious, aggressively jokey send-up of the supernatural, the second an attempt at some legitimate thrills. After his brilliant breakthrough two years ago with "Heavenly Creatures," new pic reps a step back into infinitely less interesting genre work for New Zealand auteur Peter Jackson, with an added reliance on elaborate, almost continuous special effects.
Total Film
pressThrills, sight gags and tasteless one-liners abound as Michael J Fox, Trini Alvarado and assorted spectral allies take on an evil spirit... Go see it - it's great.
The New York Times
pressAs directed by Peter Jackson, whose "Heavenly Creatures" looks sedate by comparison, it's a technically impressive horror-comedy-romance in desperate need of a story editor or a cold shower.
Roger Ebert
pressLast year, I reviewed a nine-hour documentary about the lives of Mongolian yak herdsmen, and I would rather see it again than sit through ``The Frighteners.''
Los Angeles Times
pressDirector Peter Jackson, at home with all kinds of excess in New Zealand, keeps everything spinning nicely, not even losing a step when the mood turns increasingly disturbing.
Empire Magazine
pressHuge ghostly fun, and a fine achievement from the early days of CGI.
Variety
pressA two-tone scarefest, the first half a facetious, aggressively jokey send-up of the supernatural, the second an attempt at some legitimate thrills. After his brilliant breakthrough two years ago with "Heavenly Creatures," new pic reps a step back into infinitely less interesting genre work for New Zealand auteur Peter Jackson, with an added reliance on elaborate, almost continuous special effects.
Total Film
pressThrills, sight gags and tasteless one-liners abound as Michael J Fox, Trini Alvarado and assorted spectral allies take on an evil spirit... Go see it - it's great.
The New York Times
pressAs directed by Peter Jackson, whose "Heavenly Creatures" looks sedate by comparison, it's a technically impressive horror-comedy-romance in desperate need of a story editor or a cold shower.
Roger Ebert
pressLast year, I reviewed a nine-hour documentary about the lives of Mongolian yak herdsmen, and I would rather see it again than sit through ``The Frighteners.''
Los Angeles Times
pressDirector Peter Jackson, at home with all kinds of excess in New Zealand, keeps everything spinning nicely, not even losing a step when the mood turns increasingly disturbing.
Empire Magazine
pressHuge ghostly fun, and a fine achievement from the early days of CGI.
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