Customer Reviews

The Wraith [VHS]

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is an excellent movie. I just recently saw this on cable and it reminded me of the fact.Charlie Sheen really is an excellent actor and the female lead in this, Sherilyn Fenn is a pretty, talented and appealing actress.I can't say good enough things about Sheen and Fenn. One thing I didn't like about this film was that you don't see a lot of Sheen in this even though he is the lead actor.
The story is a teenager is murdered by a gang. The gangleader is pretty much a psychopath and him and his gang murdered Jamie, the character who dies and comes back as The Wraith.This was probably motivated by jealousy and a possessiveness of Sherilyn Fenn's character who is not interested in the gangleader at all romantically.
Charlie Sheen's character Jake, previously Jamie in another life, returns to wreak revenge on the gangleader and his gang, who are illegal car racers.The Wraith challenges them with his prototype Interceptor car and one by one the gang end up dead;their cars a wreck. They should each be burned beyond recognition (the only way to identify them through dental records) but strangely enough they are unburnt and their eyes are missing.
The action in this is great, it is one of Sheen's best movies. Standout action scene is where there is a car chase and new cars fall off a semi-trailer onto the road.
The special effects are fabulous where The Wraith disappears. I have seen a lot of special effects in movies and these are one of the most impressive I have ever seen.
Thoroughly recommended for Sheen fans, fans of cars and teenagers.I loved it and I am not a teenager.

THE WRAITH is one of those films that definitely cannot deny its 80s heritage. With a soundtrack laden with 80s greats like Bonnie Tyler, Ozzie Osbourne and Robert Palmer among others, the movie is a homage to those delightfully corny times. And the hairdos...Clint Howard's pompadour, Nick Cassavettes "bad guy" look; the punk look of Skank, and of course Charlie Sheen's nice guy fluff. Not to mention the divine Sherilyn Fenn in her pre-Twin Peaks day. The movie opens with something coming from outer space that morphs into a hot car and a costumed driver. We learn that a gang of punks (led by the irrepressibly vile Nick Cassavettes) have murdered a young man who was messing around with Nick's honey (Fenn). Soon the guys are picked off one by one by the mysterious driver in the souped up car and Sheriff Randy Quaid sets out to find out who this mysterious stranger is. Viewers will figure it out pretty quickly, but THE WRAITH is an entertaining movie, with little unpredictable twists, but the sense of poetic justice is satisfied and that 80s soundtrack is pretty exciting.

I once watched this 5 times in one day. I was young and stupid....not to mention really bored at the time. Luckily, it was a pretty good movie, so it was not such a chore to get through.

The plot is basic: new kid moves to town, and gets interested in a local girl, Keri. The local hot rod gang leader also has an interest in her and decides to protect those interests. Jake, the new guy, finds himself on the other side of death with a new machine and serious axe to grind. The revenge starts with challenges to races, and as the gang dwindles, so the panic increases.

By today's standards, the effects are on the cheesy side, though that does not entirely detract from the movie's charms. The acting is pretty much what you would expect from a fairly low budget movie, though it is certainly not the worst about. Sheen makes a good impression with his portrayal of the Wraith/Jake, with his "boyish charm".

It is a cult classic, and that is what "The Wraith" will probably always be. It appeals to a particular taste, but if you are into unusual films, this could be worth a look. I still enjoy it, a decade and more later. Still a great film to kick back and zone out with.

This is an often overlooked 80's classic. It is one of those movies made up mostly of the 16-24 year old group, with not an adult in sight. Pretty much the only adults around are the police, who accomplish very little.

The movie is about a wrongfully young man returning to avenge his death. He was wrongfully killed by a local hotrod gang. Now he is back as a wraith, with a supercar as well!

I remember seeing The Wraith the night before Thanksgiving, 1987. I was surprisingly impressed. Even though it can be a little cheesy at times, it has enough character to make up for it. The Wraith-mobile was the coolest car that I had seen growing up, except for K.I.T.T. or the General Lee, until 1989's Batmobile. The cast including Randy Quaid, Charlie Sheen, Sherilyn Fenn, and Clint Howard turned in exceptional performances. Charlie Sheen comes back from the grave as a Wraith with a really cool car to avenge his death from a group of road pirates and to get his old girlfriend. Be sure to look for Skank and Gutter-boy. They are a hoot. If like off-the-beat films from any era, especially the 80's, then you have got to get this movie.

great 80's movie, watched in late night wen i was a young kid. had to buy the dvd to re-live classic memmories. buy it today!

I was 16 or 17 when I saw this movie and I loved it. If you are looking for a deep, serious, modern, adult, tear-jerking drama, you don't want this. Having said that, this is an otherwise very cool movie! It is one of my favorite movies of the 80's (top 20) and an early masterpiece for Charlie Sheen. Hero ghost comes back and gets revenge, scores points with the girl, and sets up his bro with a hot supernatural car... sounds a little cheesey? Hey, it's a 1986 action movie about a ghost coming back for revenge! But, for it's time it is EXCELLENT! I recommend it. The car is incredible and yes, I want one. To this day (I'm 32 now) I look for photos of it on the web. The Dodge Turbo Interceptor. Anyway, the movie is a good action/revenge movie with a hint of comedy and an awesome soundtrack. "Where's the Fire" by Tim Feehan is fantastic and ahead of it's time!

The electrafying story of a man who was murdered, who comes back to life with a different face and a car with a futuristic design and a Unstoppable Car and a Real Rock and Roll Soundtrack that goes along with the movie. Stars then unknown, are now quite well known. This movie was well written, the special effects are great. I wish I could obtain the soundtrack as it has 'one cool bunch of tunes'.I myself have watched this movie in excess of of 250 times, I never tire of this movie that has the best qualities, I hope to get it in a D.V.D. Directors Cut, as I will be the first in line to buy it, and was made with Dolby Surround, Sci-Fi and Horror fans alike will be taken by this movie. If it is your 1st time or your 50th time, Buy it take my word that you will not be let down.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS MOVIE YEARS AGO WHEN MY SON AND I HAD WATCHED IT ON A MOVIE CHANNEL. IT'S A LITTLE CORNY - BUT I STILL ENJOY WATCHING IT OVER AND OVER. NOW I WATCH IT WITH MY TWO ELEVEN YEAR OLD GRANDSONS. THEY THINK IT'S A PRETTY NEAT MOVIE TOO.

I've read through the entire customer reviews and no one seems to have any clue as to where to get the movie soundtrack to this perfect 80's movie. My one favorite song in the movie is "Hold On, Blue Eyes" by LaMarca. But I can't get any info on this group. I don't know if the name "LaMarca" is a band or a solo artist. It's very difficult to get the soundtrack, and I don't see why. So what if it's an old 80's movie. Look at Grease. That movie came out like in the late 70's or something. Ugh! And not to mention Saturday Night Fever, which came out like when Jesus was sipping wine and breaking bread with his disciples. Both the soundtracks are still around, never hard to find, and still selling like flies. Can I get a witness? Grease may be more of a popular movie than The Wraith, but still....I'm still an ANGRY customer. IF THERE'S ANY DIE HARD 'WRAITH' FAN WHO KNOWS WHERE AND HOW I CAN GET THE SOUNDTRACK, EMAIL ME: vahnatfranco@hotmail.com.....apps~

p.s...and to amazon.com staff, this may sound silly, but I'm desperate. If you can assist me at all in finding this movie's soundtrack, please inform me.

This desperate reviewer remains thankful and hopes for a positive response....apps~