Amazon.com One movie lover's nightmare is another's raucous joyride, and this special effects-laden horror comedy is bound to split both camps right down the middle. (Or, as Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide puts it, "definitely not for all tastes but a wild time for those who get into it.") Michael J. Fox plays a psychic investigator who can actually see ghosts, and lives with a trio of undead spirits who scare people to promote Fox's ghost-busting business. In a town infamous for serial killings, a new series of deaths prompts Fox to induce his own out-of-body experience so he can battle death in a spirit-plagued netherworld where evil reigns supreme--or something like that. So much happens in this chaotic film that you might feel like you're watching several movies at once--a slasher pic, a supernatural thriller, and a black comedy all rolled into a nonstop showcase for grisly makeup and a dozen varieties of special effects. It's an odd but wildly inventive film from New Zealand director Peter Jackson, who earned critical acclaim for his previous film Heavenly Creatures and would later create the ingenious pseudo-documentary Forgotten Silver. --Jeff Shannon
receiving
Great movie. Hard to find other places without ordering from store and paying high shipping and higher proce than Amazon.
A Hidden Gem of a Film
The picture is absolutely wonderful, and the audio is far greater than anticipated - this film has some seriously hardcore low frequency effects for your subwoofer to feast on. Magnificent presentation on HD DVD!
I've never seen this film before now, and I've got to say it is incredible! At first I thought it was trying too hard to be a blockbuster, but as "The Frighteners" progresses, you discover that it truly deserves to have been one. Its "R" rating having limited the audience is probably the only reason it didn't reach thaetrical blockbuster status, but kudos to Peter Jackson for making sure he let the film remain what it was meant to be! This movie has its historical significance...it is a very unique film.
"The Frighteners" isn't appropriate for young viewers. It's very much a disturbingly sickening horror feature with seriously demented characters; the FBI agent, John Astin with the mummy, and the motivation behind the plot - such controversy!
One can appreciate the difficult task film makers have of pushing the envelope without going "over the top" and one of the things about "The Frighteners" seems that it effectively goes right "TO" the top in several ways.
This film has plenty of action, and outstanding special effects. The cast is really great, too!
I highly recommend "The Frighteners" for any horror movie fan!
A Disaster on HD DVD
If you wonder why you never heard of it in the theaters, wonder no more.
What a flop...
If you must buy, get it on Regular DVD and save your cash.
Casper's evil cousin unleashed.
When i first saw The Frightners back when it was released theatrically I knew I was watching a film by a complete nut/brilliant filmaker. Who would have know that the director of this film would go on to make the Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong. It's evident in The Frightners that Jackson is a director with great assurance in his work. I'm just sad that this film didn't find an audience when it was first released. But now that Jackson is a big league director this film will not only profit from its cult followers,but from a new generation of viewers. This new director's cut is filled with spectacular unseen footage that is totally necessary and doesn't just make the film longer for show. The HD-DVD presentation is crisp and flawless and has plenty of extras. Sit back and enjoy Pet6er Jackson's difinitive version of his pre-Lord of the Rings gem.
frighten again
this is once of those off the wall films,that will blow you away.i love this film,ever since i saw it on laser disc[remember those]!this also afilm you could watch again and again.this movie has everthing you could ask for.its funny,its drama.michel j fox is wonderful and a great supporting cast behind him.directed by peter jackson,yes that peter jackson!this hd dvd version with its 1080p avc-vc-1 video is first rate.audio is dolby digital plus,anew audio code.universal released this movie on vhs,laser disc,sd dvd and now hd dvd,there must be a good reason.get this hd dvd you will be glad you did!