Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28595 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-08-30
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: DVD-Video, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 109 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Stephen King wasn't exactly in peak form when he wrote Firestarter, so this 1984 movie adaptation was at a disadvantage even before the cameras rolled. There were so many King movies being made at the time the weaknesses of this one became even more apparent. In her first film role after her memorable appearance in E.T., Drew Barrymore stars as a little girl whose parents acquired strange mental powers after participating in a secret government experiment. From this genetic background she has developed the mysterious ability to set anything on fire at will, especially when she's angry. That makes her very interesting to government officials seeking to exploit her skill as a secret weapon. Her father tries to protect her by using his powers of mind-control, while George C. Scott plays an Indian who believes the girl must be destroyed. There is a routine climax involving a lot of impressive pyrotechnics, but none of this is grounded in a dramatically solid foundation, and none of the characters are developed enough for us to care about them. Director Mark L. Lester, who the following year made Commando with Schwarzenegger, keeps the pace cracking along, but nevertheless the movie gradually turns into a laughable thriller with no suspense whatsoever. It's a movie only a pyromaniac could love. --Jeff Shannon

On the DVD: This is a largely no-frills presentation, albeit with a decent anamorphic print. The only extras are the original theatrical trailer and a nicely presented menu. A fold-out booklet has informative liner notes and a reproduction of the film poster.

DVD Description
A government scientific experiment has produced enexpected results and now the last remaining victim and his young daughter are on the run. Their only defense is the psychic powers granted them by the experiment.

DVD Features
Dolby Digital Stereo Sound
115 Minutes Running Time
16:9 Widescreen Aspect Ratio

Synopsis
Drew Barrymore plays Charlie McGhee, a pre-pubescent girl whose moods of anger and frustration are manifested in the telekinetic creation of raging fires. Her parents participated in dangerous government experiments in the 1960s, and their bodies were altered in ways that affected the physical and mental makeup of their child. Now the CIA wants to harness Charlie's powers and use them as weapons of destruction. They successfully kidnap her, but can they contain her fears and blistering rage

Customer Reviews

explosive,emotional,not scary
For a Stephen King film this is relativly tame. It's the story of little Charlie(Drew Barrymore)and her father who are being pursed by goverment agency 'The shop', due to Charlie's amazing power of being able to set things on fire with her mind when she is angered.This is a perfect senario for plenty of explosion sequences and Drew's cuteness is just right to make you feel sorry for this little girl. But don't expect something scary, or you will be disapointed!

Totally Brilliant!!
Excellent!!

Its not really scary like you would think a Stephen King movie would be but it is really good and you do feel sorry for the little girl.

One to own

For any Drew fan
I was really impressed by the acting of Drew Barrymore (who was just eight when it was made). She carried the film the whole way through, changing between cuteness and the "angry scenes". This is a must for any Drew fan - it really shows how far she'd come from her small role in E.T. However, this film isn't perfect. It's not as scary as what most people would think from the cover of the DVD/posters etc. Nevertheless, the graphics are good and believable, but this film probably shouldn't be a 15 - more like a 12 for its tame nature. Like most films, the book is better but it's a good movie overall. If you're a drew fan - what ya waiting on? Buy it or rent it or miss out.