Customer Reviews

Frequency

5 star:		(210)
4 star:		(55)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I first saw Frequency the day it was released in theatres, after I saw a preview that got me extremely interested in the movie. I didn't know quite what to expect, but what I found was well written movie, with excellent acting performances and a very gripping storyline, a truly enjoyable moviegoing experience. The story focuses on a cop named John Sullivan (played brilliantly by James Caviezel in a breakthrough big screen performance) who lives in Queens, NY in early October 1999, which happens to be the date of an appearance of a phenomenon that allows John to communicate with his father Frank (with a very solid and emotional performance from Dennis Quaid), on the same radio, in the same house. The interesing part is that John talks to Frank thirty years earlier, merely days before Frank, a firefighter, dies herocially trying to rescue a person trapped in a blazing fire. Frank and John end up making catastrophic changes in the timeline, which leads to the brutal murder of John's mother(in an excellent performance from Elizabeth Mitchell) only days later in 1969. The movie is really a combination of several different elements. First of all it focuses on a father-son relationship between Frank and John. The interaction between Caviezel and Quaid is superb, and leads to some of the films most emotionally moving moments. The emotion is skillfully achieved, as Caviezel and Quaid don't act face-to-face, but across a HAM radio. The interplay between the two time periods really adds to the movie without overshadowing the its story. Frequency also combines elements of suspense, action, mystery, and tense drama. Frequency covers all of the bases, and does so very skillfully. This brings us to the DVD disc itself, which comes from New Line Home Video, who completely loaded the disc with a huge amount of special features, including many interesting DVD-ROM features that can be accessed by any PC with a DVD-ROM drive and PC Friendly installed. If you don't have PC Friendly on your computer, the DVD will install it for you if you so choose. The disc also has deleted scenes, as well as several feature legnth commentaries(by the director, producer, and actor Noah Emmerich who plays the adult Gordo, John's best friend). The disc also includes an interesting original documentary, as well as a trailer and animation galleries. If you are are willing to let your mind go a little bit to accept the science of the storyline, it actually becomes a fascinating part of the movie. This movie would definitely be a worthy addition to any DVD collection. Frequency also offers an extremely exciting and rewarding finale that will not disappoint anyone who watches it. The bottom line is this: Frequency is a wonderful movie, with incredibly strong emotional performances from the entire cast, very moving dramatic moments, as well as tense, gripping action sequences, and a rousing finale. Frequency is definitely one to remember. This movie truly has it all!

This review refers to the New Line Plarinum Series DVD edition of "Frequency"...

I consider a good thriller, one that not only keeps me on the edge of my seat after the first viewing, but one that keeps me there with every viewing. "Frequency" is one of those, that no matter how often I watch it, it takes it's hold on me from the first frame and won't let go until the last. It's more then just a thriller though. It's some fabulous Sci-Fi entertainment with great special effects, it's the poignant story of a special bond between father and son, and there's lots of heart pounding action sequences as well. Add to that one fabulous cast including Dennis Quaid, Jim Caviezel and Andre Braugher, a fresh take on time travel, and you are in for 2 hours of some fine entertainment.

A Police Officer John Sullivan(Caviezel), by a miracle of nature, is able to contact his father, Frank(Quaid), on an old ham radio. The miracle?...The Northern Lights make a rare appearance in New York. What's truly amazing is that his father died thirty years earlier fighting a fire. He is able to change the course of history, by forewarning his father about the tragedy to come. But by changing the course of history, John and Frank may have unleashed an evil chain of events yet to come. They most work together, with the time they have to stop a serial killer.

The DVD is a great buy. The transfer is gorgeuos. A wonderful widescreen presentation that takes in all the action and special effects in brillant colors. It made be viewed with DD5.1 Surround, which brings it all right into your living room, and it also has an option for DD2.0. A ton of features include deleted scenes, a documentary, "The Science and Technology Behind Frequency", Commentary, you can isolate the score, and much more(see buying info for complete list of extras). There are subtitles in English, and the snap case unfolds to some production notes and a few scenes from the film. You really get more bang for your buck with this great package.

It's a film that will have your heart racing one moment and the next will evoke a lump in your throat at the touching moments. It's got something for everyone. It's rated PG-13, but parents may want to view it before hand, as some of the scenes are quite violent.

It's A Definate Keeper!....Get the popcorn ready and enjoy...Laurie

also recommended:(see my reviews for details)
Die Hard Trilogy Letterbox Edition
L.A. Confidential - Special Edition / The Usual Suspects (Special Edition) (2 Pack)
One False Move

This highly imaginative science fiction thriller is an entertaining mind bender of a film. Toby Emmerich's story takes a fresh approach to the time travel angle. Rather than having people traveling through time, Emmerich has them communicating through time using a Ham Radio that has been augmented by an Aurora Borealis. Ok, there aren't many Aurora Borealis events as far south as New York City, but there isn't any trans-time communication noted in the scientific literature either, so we need to allow the story a little latitude.

After we accept the premise, this ingenious plot incorporates many different elements to entice the viewer. There is the human angle of a son speaking to his dead father, the many twists resulting from altering the ribbon of time, and the solving of a thirty-year-old serial murder case. The various elements are combined effectively by director Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear, Fallen) to produce a fast paced action thriller with sufficient character development to bind us emotionally to the characters. The fascinating thing about the detective story is that the facts of the crime keep changing in unexpected ways each time John (James Caviezel) imparts something to his father (Dennis Quaid) that causes him to change history. In addition, the action sequences are well done and the visual effects, especially the digitized Aurora are nicely rendered. The aging makeup is also realistic.

The acting was excellent as well, though the New York accents were pretty bad. Dennis Quaid alternated between the goofy and endearing dad and the action hero, and managed to keep it from seeming incongruous. This was a breakout performance by James Caviezel, who heretofore has been confined to minor roles. His was a very emotional and tense role and he handled it extremely well. I was also impressed with Elizabeth Mitchell who gave a vivacious performance as John's mother.

I enjoy a good intelligent science fiction thriller. Lately, science fiction has been subsumed into the horror category, since you seldom see a science fiction story that isn't an excuse to hack up some cast members. This film was more in the tradition of Twilight Zone, relying more on an inventive story than grisly effects to capture the audience. That's why I rated this film a 9/10. With luck, this will inspire a return to more creative science fiction.

Without a doubt, this movie will appeal to both men and women (when's the last time you agreed on what movie to watch??? lol).

Anytime Dennis Quaid is in a movie, I'm guaranteed to watch it and this one didn't disappoint. I found that everytime I *thought* I had it figured out....I was wrong. It kept me guessing throughout. Which is good because it wasn't predictable. The constant "shift" of events in the past kept changing the future that the movie because suspenseful and interesting.

I remember reading a review of this movie before I went to see it. The reviewer said that just about every man that sees it will come out of the theatre remincising about their childhood and especially their father. Sure enough, my husband talked about his dad almost all the way home from the theatre.

Buy it.... you will love it!

Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel are so good in this movie. They play father and son able to communicate via an old ham radio even though his father passed away some thirty years ago. The explanation for this is due to unusual auroral activity and the effect it has on electronics. They discover they have the ability to change history by sharing information when John tells Frank how he died in the line of duty, so many years ago. They work together to stop a serial killer that was never caught, and that now threatens their family in both the past and present. Very on the edge of your seat suspenseful, and entertaining!

The year 2000 wasn't very good in the movie department. Remember the Titans and Frequency were the only good films I've seen that came out that year. Frequency just so happens to be the most underrated year of 2000. Still, both are excellent movies that one (who is old enough to stand a few scenes of violent/gorey content) should consider viewing.

Frequency is the story of John's (James Caviezel) realization that he can talk to his presently dead father through his old radio. Through this new discovery, John saves his father's, Frank's (Dennis Quaid, who also gave a great performance in the wonderful movie Dragonheart), life, which triggers a series of serial murders. One of the new victims include Frank's wife, and John's mother. While trying to save the other victims, the two have to find out who the serial killer is, and stop him.

This movie is just a classic. It makes you laugh, makes you cry (I can't remember if I did, but just in case I did, I'll mention it anyway), and makes you remember how important the family is. I highly recommend this film. Oh, yeah, one more thing-I would recommend watching this movie twice or watching it with someone who has watched it before and can explain what's going on before passing judgement. Luckily, I watched this movie for the first time on home video and had my mom with me to explain things to me (she had already seen it in movie theaters). Also, if after watching Dennis Quaid's (as well as everyone else's) great performance, and you want to see another excellent movie he's been in, I would highly recommend Dragonheart, which is also featured on this website.

This movie is fantastic. I watched it in theaters, and on video, and you just keep noticing more and more details that add to the movie, rather than detract. The story is about a cop in 1999 who finds a ham radio, but when he starts talking on it, he finds out he is communicating with his father (who has been dead thirty years). It turns out that he is talking with his father across time, and in the past, it is the day before his father was supposed to die. So the cop in 1999 (named John) decides to warn his father, and repercussions occur in what makes for a very suspenseful and very cool movie.

The acting is good, with strong performances by Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel, and also the actress who plays John's mother (I can't remember her name at the moment). But there is also some top-notch technicality in this movie. In my opinion, if nothing else, this film deserves an Oscar nod for two features: Best Film Editing and Best Director. See if the movie does not have you on the edge of your seat, especially when you get to the climactic ending. I won't spoil anything, but believe me, you are wide-eyed with your mouth hanging open in shock.

And for a side note, the film also contains the following: a few scattered swear words, including the "s" word, SOB, the "d" word, "heck," and others. There isn't any sexual innuendos or references, but we do see (very, very briefly) a few pictures of women who have been murdered, and are just clother in a lingerie top and a skirt. It isn't entirely clear in the movie whether the women were raped or not, but it's likely. Personally, I thought it was a great movie, with terrific suspense, and even some good drama. I highly recommend it (as the rating implies though, for ages 13 and up).

When I saw this movie I didn't expect it to be this good.I would recomend that you purchase this movie. And if you have lost a father this movie will have special meaning . It has such a great concept that if you had a chance to go back in time what would you talk about with your father.

"Frequency" was one of the many surprise hits of 2000. I was a successul mixture of suspense, action, Science Fiction, drama and a father-son realtionship movie. What best descibes the excitment of "Frequency is the idea it asks...what if?

What if you had the opportunity to communicate with a family member, that's been dead for 30 years? What would you say? What would you do? And what if you had the opportunity to change the past and the future? John Francis "Little Chief" Sullivan, portrayed by the talented Jim Caviezel ("The Count of Monte Cristo", "Angel Eyes"), is a 36-year old police detective who's going through a period in his life where time is a bad one. His girlfriend just left him and his job is not cutting him any slack. On the night of the 30th aniversary of John's father's death, a fire-fighter who died 30 years ago in a warehouse fire, the Aroura Boleias spreads over Queens, New York, where John lives in the house he lived in as a kid. He then finds his dad's old HAM radio in the closet, which is uses soon enough. He comes into contact with a mysterious person who claims to be Frank Patrick Sullivan, John's dad. Little does John know is that he IS John's dad!!! Apparently, the Northern lights transmitted the frequency from the radio, all the way back to 1969! Frank, played by acclaimed actor Dennis Quaid,is a 1960's fire fighter, the night before his death, when he contacts John in the future. John ultimately warns his father about his death and he avoids the catastrophe. John's life is then radically changed. Every night, he talks to his Dad over on the radio, which he hasn't talk to in over 30 years. But the next night after they mae contact, John makes a shocking discovery that his Mother,Julia Sullivan (Elizabeth Mitchell) was murdered only weeks later in Frank's time. John and Frank now must chase after the murderer before it happens to Jules, in order for them to live a life they dreampt of.

"Frequency" is a touching and fast paced story that never ceases to stop entertaining. The DVD includes several bonus material, including a documentary on the making of, Theatrical trailers and a DVD-ROM that includes a game demo and others. I love the main menu on the DVD, where it plays the Main Theme over and over. Great DVD, even better movie.

I found this movie absolutely amazing. When it came out I don't think it recieved the audience it deserved, but after hearing how good it was I searched it out, as everyone should. This movie is so well woven, not just a mystery, not just a story of a father connecting with a son, but all this and much more, done in a beautiful, un-campy way. I would not consider this a "time travel" movie, but quite differently one of hope. Of a man just wishing for a bit more time with his parents, a man searching for some kind of happiness in his life. Well scripted, well acted, and complete, I highly recommend this movie.

What bothers me is that some reviewers on this page have expressed bluntly that they will not see this film because of the recent role Jim Caviezel has portrayed in the film "The Passion of the Christ." Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinions. But my heart goes out to these individuals, that they would be so quick to shun, and even criticize a film such as "Frequency," a film that they have not seen, and would miss out on just because they cannot separate the actor from the role. And to say that Jim Caviezel would bring "an evil" (as one reviewer explicitly states) to this film makes me sudder at the closed-mindedness one could posses. I'm not here to address "The Passion of the Christ," but I will say that by judging blindly, one can miss out on great experiences.