From horror studio Blumhouse comes this modern interpretation of the classic 1980 Stephen King novel Firestarter.
Originally adapted in 1984 with Drew Barrymore in the lead role, this contemporary version stars Zac Efron and Sydney Lemmon as parents Andy and Vicky McGhee, whose daughter Charlie (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) begins exhibiting pyrokinetic powers.
The couple are forced to go into hiding in order to protect their daughter from a shadowy federal agency with designs on her extraordinary fire starting abilities.
The screenplay for this version is written by Scott Teems, who had a hand in last years Halloween Kills, whilst Keith Thomas, who’s credits include 2019’s tense horror the Vigil, is in the director’s chair.
Unfortunately, unlike the recent Andy Muschietti adaptations of ‘It’ this is unlikely to be another King hit.
Performance wise, Efron and Lemmon as Charlie’s doting parent’s are fine but nothing more. They’re given precious little to work with from the stale script which offers none of the character development or complexity of the book.
Armstrong’s Charlie isn’t a very likeable lead and as a result it’s difficult to root for her and her cause. Michael Greyeyes is unswervingly stoic as the telekinetic agency hitman on the family’s tail, whilst the gender swapped role of Captain Hollister goes to Gloria Reuben.
Billed as a horror, the film isn’t anywhere near scary enough to warrant that title, and the plodding pace saps any excitement out of the story. The fiery visual effects used to display Charlie’s power’s are also completely unconvincing.
A fantastically retro synth score from John Carpenter and son Cody is the films one saving grace, and prevents it from becoming a complete dud, but it deserved to be the soundtrack to a much better film.
With muted performances, a dull script and lifeless visuals, Firestarter fails to capture the essence of the original novel or film and will bitterly disappoint fans with fond memories of either.
⭐️⭐️
Paul Steward
@Grittster
23/05/22