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Firestarter (1984)

Drew Barrymore , David Keith , Mark L. Lester  |  R |  DVD
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)


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Product Details

  • Actors: Drew Barrymore, David Keith, Freddie Jones, Heather Locklear, Martin Sheen
  • Directors: Mark L. Lester
  • Writers: Stanley Mann, Stephen King
  • Producers: Frank Capra Jr., Martha De Laurentiis
  • Format: Color, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
  • Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: R (Restricted)
  • Studio: Universal Studios
  • DVD Release Date: April 1, 1998
  • Run Time: 114 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 6305078157
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,764 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "Firestarter" on IMDb

Special Features

None.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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 that this one's weaknesses 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 seeks to protect her by using his powers of mind-control, and George C. Scott plays an Indian who believes the girl must be destroyed. There's 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. So the movie gradually turns into a laughable thriller with no suspense whatsoever. It's a movie only a pyromaniac could love. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

Drew Barrymore stars as an eight-year-old girl with the amazing ability to start fires with just a glance. Can her power and the love of her father save her from the clandestine government agency, "The Shop," that wants her destroyed? From the Stephen King novel.

Customer Reviews

I saw this movie when it first came out and I loved it then, and I still love it now! Paul Rudholm (soaringpaul@gci.net)  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
It has a great plot (well to me) and the special effects are pretty good for their day in age. SUNBOY473@aol.com  |  5 reviewers made a similar statement
Playing Charlie is Drew Barrymore's most famous role that she ever played. Rykre  |  5 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent thriller August 11, 1999
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I had first seen this film in bits and pieces when I was four. I thought it was okay. Recently, I rented the film and found that I really, really like it. I just bought the book and was shocked to discover how faithful the movie stays to it.

I love little Drew Barrymore. Watching her in this movie when she was eight years old, I wish that she was my little sister. David Keith is excellent as Charlie McGee's father. I've never seen him in anything else besides this film. George C. Scott portrays John Rainbird very well. He steals every scene he's in with a wonderfully twisted performance, whether it be trying to be friendly with Charlie, or talking to Martin Sheen about disposing of her.

I've heard many comments about laughable dialogue and acting. I'll admit that I have chuckled once or twice at some of the lines, but that's because I like those lines; I don't hate them. I especially chuckled a lot at the scene in which Rainbird fakes that he is afraid of the dark. My most favorite line is spoken by Freddie Jones (Dr. Wanless), which regards Charlie's power and how it could destroy the earth.

After reading comments by people in which they say that the film is silly and laughable (especially Leonard Maltin's review), I cannot understand that these people do not feel any emotion towards Charlie McGee. What I mean is, after all the trouble she's been through, her parents are both dead, you just can't help feeling sorry for her. Every time I watch the film, I am in tears at the end because nothing left in her life. The music during the end credits is what really gets me. It's a beautiful, sad tune that makes you think of Charlie's face.

I wonder exactly how this film was received upon its theatrical release in 1984. I was only two at the time, and I don't remember a thing from 1984. I really wish I had seen it in the theater. How did the film do at the box office? I imagine that it was not a big hit, given the fact that it is so underrated and virtually unheard-of today. I imagine this is the reason why Universal gave the home video rights to Image Entertainment. Image produced the DVD, which unfortunately is a simple re-packaging of the 1997 letterboxed laserdisc. The transfer is not anamorphic, and the audio remains mono. It just does not do justice for the film. I feel that the film would greatly benefit from a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, especially in scenes where Charlie blows things up. I had also hoped for deleted scenes and outtakes. Stephen King's novel offers many scenes that may have been filmed and cut, given the fact that the film stays nearly 90% faithful to the novel. I have always felt, as do some other people, that the ending in the movie was too brief. The book's ending is much longer. I would be really interested in seeing footage cut from the ending.

In closing, I recommend this film to all Sci-Fi buffs. Try to look past the so-called "laughable acting and dialogue" and try to let your emotions through. I hope that this film regains its popularity. It is very good, but it is too underrated.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Movie and book are underated and misunderstood September 27, 2002
By Natalie
Format:DVD
What I think people don't understand about this story is that in
the year 1984, alot of the "Big Brother" theories were coming to life, meaning there were alot more authors writing stories about the secret factions of the United States Government. The Shop is the faction that Stephen King created, and the novel Firestarter takes you on the complete ride of what it feels like to have nowhere to hide. The movie is terrific, but in some parts I do feel like it may have been quickly knocked together, so they left out some important parts in the script. In the novel, Andy and Vicki McGee naively take part in a government experiment in college, but have no idea what they've gotten themselves into. The Shop is portrayed as diabolical, cold, and heartless. 'Either you be brainwashed, or you'll be exterminated. It's your choice.'
And THAT was what made it scary. Charlie and her power was not meant to be the frightening part at all (even though it is at times (: ) The frightening part is that a little girl is born into a situation in which there is no way out. So that's why I think that the movie and the book are underated by most critics.
But Firestarter is my all time favorite King book next to The Shining.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Great film, not so great DVD. February 12, 2007
By C HAGAN
Format:DVD
Buy the new double collection, it has much better quality. Other than that, this is a great Stephen King adaptation and I would recomend it to King movie fans.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars movies
This movie is a classic. I love the visial effects that it has Stephen King really went out on this one,
Published 1 month ago by Begona Weyanna
5.0 out of 5 stars its a classic
Not a whole lot to say other than it is one of the better stephen king based movies...salems lot is still my fav though, come by my profile for a link to my blog
Published 3 months ago by Mercury7 Marketplace
3.0 out of 5 stars An ok watch
Its an ok movie. I'd watch it once,but I wouldn't pay to watch it twice. For an older movie it didn't look as fake as I thought it would.

Its an ok movie. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Raynette
5.0 out of 5 stars Great film.
What a classic with little Barrymore. It's a great story line a little dated but a good flick none-the-less. I would recommend to anyone.
Published 4 months ago by Jennifer M
4.0 out of 5 stars Ahh, the early days :)
This movie was awesome in the day and still holds some valuable elements of entertainment. Watched it with my daughter(17) and told her to disregard the special effects. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Joshua C Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent
this is one of the best drew barrrymore movies i have seen. the instant video format is great. excellent hd quality.
Published 6 months ago by lookingforbluesky
5.0 out of 5 stars It's A Personal Thing
I actually had a little script part in this movie and got to know most of the cast. This was the first Stephen King film to be made out of the Wilmington, North Carolina studio... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Sandra J. Long
5.0 out of 5 stars A good movie
Firestarter is my favorite of Stephen King's novels. It's pacing is different from his other books and you see things, more or less, through Charlie's perspective. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Amanda Pike
5.0 out of 5 stars Dangerous Drew Barrymore
This is a movie about a father daughter duo of danger. Drew Barrymore makes her debut as the powerful mind behind a force of fire that will demolish anything in its path.
Published 10 months ago by Amber
5.0 out of 5 stars There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight
A government experiment with "Lot. 6" goes awry and leaving a few side effects; one of those effects is Charlene 'Charlie' McGee (an 8 year old Drew Barrymore) who has the ability... Read more
Published 10 months ago by bernie
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