Smoreni Zmaj Till now I did not like Drew Barrymore too much, but after this movie, where as 9 years old girl she nails leading role, she definitely enters my list of favorite actresses. Drew plays daughter of parents who, in their youth, participated in government experiment, gained some abilities and then got married and brought to world daughter, whose extreme pyrokinetic abilities are just waiting to be triggered. Movie reminds of Carrie a little bit, but while Carrie focuses on horror angle, Firestarter is more of an action drama. Secret government agency is trying to capture this family, they kill mother (Heather Locklear), so father (David Keith) and daughter live on the run, until agents find them, attack them and all hell breaks loose. Movie keeps balance between dramatic display of inner fight between sweet little girl and killing machine, and well directed action scenes with good effects. Legendary Tangerine Dream were in charge of music and their eccentric compositions give weird note to movie atmosphere. Overall, this is one of the best King adaptations I saw so far. I saw all King movies done before this one and several done after and only The Shining, Christine and The Shawshank Redemption are better.8/10

Leofwine_draca Most Stephen King horror adaptations are entertaining, but the most disturbing ones are the ones dealing with psychic phenomena, like FIRESTARTER and THE DEAD ZONE. For me, the power of the human mind is more horrific than giant alien spiders, vampires, or serial killers. FIRESTARTER is indeed a powerful film, and the power lies in the actors involved, not just the fiery power of the special effects unit. Indeed, the strength of the characterisations are the best thing about this film.Martin Sheen has much the same power-hungry role as he did in 1983's THE DEAD ZONE, while Freddie Jones has a small role as a nervous doctor. However, it is George C. Scott as the brilliant yet crazed man out to snag Barrymore's powers for himself in the afterlife who has the best role, and he really is totally evil. David Keith is an effective hero, while Heather Locklear has another small role as his wife. Drew Barrymore is also good as the young girl who doesn't want to use her powers but is forced to, and it's a wonder that she didn't use them to destroy the killer in SCREAM.The story is also a fairly original one, and it's more of a thriller than a conventional horror film. The budget is relatively low until the pyrotechnic ending where just about everything explodes, and things do tend to get a bit talky. However there are some dollops of tension lashed throughout the film and plenty of interest lies within the various machinations of the characters. FIRESTARTER is a thought-provoking ride through the powers of the mind and probably not suitable viewing for those who have tendencies involving pyromania.

NateWatchesCoolMovies Film versions of Stephen King novels can be a tricky thing. Often they're half assed, clunky miniseries (ever tried to sit down and watch The Langoliers??), and when they're given the lofty cinema treatment, he has famously turned his nose in the face of Kubrick's might. I feel like Firestarter escaped unscathed, and still holds to this day, if a bit achingly retro now. It's a thriller perceived in a childlike manner by its young protagonist, Charlie Mcgee (Drew Barrymore). Charlie can start fires with her mind, and certain shadowy agencies just can't wait to get their hands on her. Her father (David Keith) once participated in some scary drug testing related to telekinesis back in the day, and some of whatever altered his DNA has been passed on to her. He will do anything to protect her, as the two frantically race across the country to safety, pursued by forces working for Hollister (Martin Sheen), a spook with too much power and nasty ideas about what to do with it. Also on their trail is pseudo spiritual whacko John Rainbird, who wants to absorb Charlie's abilities, man what a freak. Rainbird is a native American in King's novel, so white haired yankee boy Scott is an odd choice, but he does a fine job all the same. Two things are what makes this one really stand out in a special way. Tangerine Dream provides yet another ultrasonic, elemental synth score that has since become legendary. It accents the story in an almost fairy tale like way, gilding the danger with a fable style sound, but never stamping out the real menace. Barrymore is the other leg of the table, giving one hell of a fierce and vulnerable performance for such a young girl, her childlike honesty a prism for the audience to see the evil around her through innocent eyes. It's great stuff, and one of the most solid King adaptations out there. Now there is a sequel (not sure if the man wrote a second book?) called Firestarter 2: Rekindled, which pales in comparison and runs about 45 minutes too long (!), but it's worth a look for the casting of Marguerite Moreau as a grown up Charlie, Malcolm McDowell taking over from Scott as Rainbird, and Dennis Hopper as well.

Garry Hixon The timing of this movie was bad, as bad as the Blue Bird that Shirley Temple did. Although the Blue Bird was worse than Firestarter by far, people did not want to see Drew setting CIA agents on fire. They were more into Irreconcilable Differences, a much better movie starring Ryan O'neal and Shelley Long. I loved Firestarter later when it came out on VHS. Drew Barrymore is not a very good actress at all, she and Mandy Moore have the worst speech impedement since Garry Hixon herself. They live in glass houses, Mandy Moore is a complete nobody, and Drew disses her father , and is now back with Jade, John Barrymore was great, Lionel Barrymore was great, Ethel Barrymore was great, and in I love Jennie or Peggy or whatever. Steven Spielberg, thats a good one. Instead of hiring 16 year old Garry Hixon for ET he hired cry baby Henry Thomas. A total sissy.