Ivan Lalic Story about a car killer is just one of those scripts that Carpenter built his career on, so the ''Christine'' fits in his portfolio like a glove. All the elements of the '80s trash horror will be there, poor acting, lame plots and some fine movie aesthetics. However, the bad elements will overcome the good ones and not in a good manner, leaving this flick as one of the weaker ones legendary John signs. Even if you are a automobile fan, ''Christine'' won't be a decent horror.

calvinnme This is John Carpenter's film version of the Stephen King bestseller about an evil car. The film's namesake, a bright red 1958 Plymouth Fury, doesn't even make it off the assembly line before maiming and killing people. Cut to the present, and awkward, clumsy high school nerd Arnie Cunningham and his jock best friend Dennis. Arnie is a total social failure, the target of bullies and totally ignored by the girls. On the way home, he spots the decrepit wreck of the '58 Fury, and he's instantly obsessed. He buys the car, despite the protests of his friend and parents, and starts working to restore it in a large garage complex owned by the loathsome Darnell. As Arnie spends more and more time with Christine, as he's named the car, his entire persona changes from the sweet, if dorky, nerd to someone more confident and dangerous. And while he's now dating Leigh, the hottest girl in school, his heart truly lies with Christine. And Christine has a mind of her own...This is one of the better King adaptations, and Carpenter's excellent camera-work and pacing keep the film moving along even through the rough patches. His usual great synth scoring works well too, but will no doubt bother some viewers. There are lots of vintage rock hits on the soundtrack, as well. The cast is good, led by Keith Gordon as Arnie and John Stockwell as his worried best bud. Alexandra Paul is fetching, if a little wooden, as Leigh. Roberts Blossom has a great cameo as the disturbing former owner. But it's Robert Prosky, a veteran stage and screen supporting player, who steals every scene he's in as the grotesque Darnell. The great Harry Dean Stanton has a small bit as a cop, too, although his role goes nowhere. William Ostrander, a John Travolta lookalike, plays the lead high school bully, despite looking 35. Look out for Kelly Peston in an early role as another student. Incidentally, both male leads, Gordon and Stockwell, have gone on to successful directing careers in film and television.The scene of the unstoppable car, engulfed in flames as it slowly closes in on a victim on a deserted road at night, is one the better images in horror films of the time.

sol- Certain that there is something sinister and supernatural about his best friend's new car, a high school jock eventually resorts to drastic measures in this iconic horror film based on a Stephen King novel. The film is visually impressive as per director John Carpenter norm with lots of mobile camera-work, and Keith Gordon is excellent as the new car owner who gradually transforms from poorly dressed, mild- mannered and reserved to slick, cocky and arrogant. The film may have been more interesting had it been told from Gordon's perspective rather than his best friend's, but even if we never quite get inside his head, the metaphorical nature of his transformation resonates as the milestone of owning his first car makes him feel confident and assertive for the first time. There is also a lot to like in the notion of a car that seems to get energy from the passion that its owner shows towards it, perhaps even growing jealous of others who show him warmth and affection. The film disappoints when it comes to explaining the supernatural origins of the automobile, inexplicably evil right from the time it gets off the assembly line (in King's book, the car's evil nature only comes from its previous owner expressing too much affection for it) but the film makes up for it with a candid look at the ability of car ownership to completely change one's personality. King's fascination with this relationship between cars and owners would continue with his directing of 'Maximum Overdrive' a few years later, though without the pronounced human element here.

dworldeater Of the many Stephen King film adaptations, Christine is one of my favorites. This is directed by John Carpenter who made many of my favorite movies, including this one. This project was not quite as bleak as his previous film( The Thing), but is really well done and a classic as well in my book. The two lead actors in this film are now directors. Keith Gordon delivered an excellent performance here as leading man Arnie, who goes from nerd to Fonzie like coolness to evil psychopath. His friend Dennis(John Stockwell) is also good here as well and these two actors make their unlikely friendship believable and had great chemistry here. Alexandra Paul was stunning, but also gave an excellent performance here and sold her relationship with Arnie as the hottie with a heart of gold. While this is a movie about a haunted car that turns Arnie, a socially awkward nerd into a 50's greaser maniac. The storytelling, performances and dialogue are very strong and elevate the material far beyond typical slasher fare and other killer car movies. The score is a mix between 50's rock n' roll and Carpenter's signature score which provides great ambiance and helps build suspense. Character actors Robert Prosley, Robert Blossom and Harry Dean Stanton all are highly excellent and delivered memorable performances. Overall, Christine is excellent and John Carpenter did an amazing job making this. Christine is very under rated in my opinion and I can find no problem with this film whatsoever.