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Firestarter (1984)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
11 May 1984 (USA)
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Tagline:
She has the power . . . an evil destructive force. more
Plot:
A couple who participated in a potent medical experiment gain telekinetic ability and then have a child who is pyrokinetic. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Experiment
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Fire
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Government
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Psychic
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Doctor
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Awards:
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
50 Influential Scream Queens: Part 2
(From Fangoria. 27 October 2009, 10:57 PM, PDT)
Our Favorite Summers: 1984
(From Cinematical. 27 April 2009, 7:02 PM, PDT)
(From Fangoria. 27 October 2009, 10:57 PM, PDT)
Our Favorite Summers: 1984
(From Cinematical. 27 April 2009, 7:02 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Not spectacular, but good
more (67 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | David Keith | ... | Andrew 'Andy' McGee |
 | Drew Barrymore | ... | Charlene 'Charlie' McGee |
 | Freddie Jones | ... | Doctor Joseph Wanless |
 | Heather Locklear | ... | Victoria 'Vicky' Tomlinson McGee |
 | Martin Sheen | ... | Captain Hollister |
 | George C. Scott | ... | John Rainbird |
 | Art Carney | ... | Irv Manders |
| Louise Fletcher | ... | Norma Manders |
| Moses Gunn | ... | Doctor Pynchot |
| Antonio Fargas | ... | Taxi Driver |
| Drew Snyder | ... | Orville Jamieson |
 | Curtis Credel | ... | Bates |
| Keith Colbert | ... | Mayo |
| Dick Warlock | ... | Knowles (as Richard Warlock) |
 | Jeff Ramsey | ... | Steinowitz |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
114 min | Germany:101 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:16 |
Singapore:PG |
Canada:14A (Ontario) |
UK:18 (original rating) |
South Korea:15 |
New Zealand:PG |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:M |
Finland:K-18 |
Norway:16 (heavily cut) |
Norway:18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:15 |
USA:R |
West Germany:16 |
Spain:13 |
Canada:14 (Nova Scotia)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
According to director Mark L. Lester, Tangerine Dreamnever actually saw the film. They sent him some music and told him to choose whatever he liked.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When Cap Hollister is first in the room with Charlie, the door behind him is open over his left shoulder after he had closed it. Then when the camera shot changes again the door is closed.
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Quotes:
Charlie McGee:
[to her power] Back off! Just back off!
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FAQ
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?Is this movie based on a novel?
What was Lot Six supposed to do?
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more (67 total)
Message Boards
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Firestarter is one of those movies that bores critics and often appears as weekend or late night filler on TV. Even so, the movie does have its moments. Give it a chance, and Firestarter will grow on you.
Fans of the X Files will be at home with the movie's plot about an experimental drug given to 60s college students by a secret government agency, known as The Shop. Two of the students (portrayed by David Keith and Heather Locklear) eventually marry and a child is born; a "firestarter" (played by Drew Barrymore) who can set anything ablaze with just one angry thought. Martin Sheen and George C. Scott round out the cast as heads of The Shop, who are now bent on capturing the girl and harnessing her power as a weapon, not to mention using her as a way to get funding for more experiments.
The acting and dialogue certainly aren't award-winning, but they do carry the movie along. The music, written and performed by Tangerine Dream, is perfectly suited to the movie, and in my opinion is some of Tangerine Dream's best work. The special effects are convincing, and at times, chilling. Readers of Stephen King's best-selling novel will be happy to know that this movie is, for the most part, faithful to his original story, despite a rather clipped ending.
In all, if you have a taste for conspiracy thrillers with a healthy dose of science fiction thrown in, you'll like this one, though it probably won't be your favorite.