Firestarter (1984)

Directed by Mark L. Lester. Starring David Keith, Drew Barrymore, George C. Scott, Freddie Jones, Martin Sheen, Art Carney, Moses Gunn, Louise Fletcher, Heather Locklear. (R)

Telepathic “pusher” Andy (Keith) and his pyrokinetic daughter (Barrymore) are on the run from government agents who want to weaponize her powers, the same people who initially experimented on him when he was a college student and gave him his powers. Considering all the extrasensory tomfoolery and fiery outbursts on hand, this is an astonishingly dull thriller, with dubious writing, tired performances (except for hammy assassin Scott), and uninspired direction. Only comes to life during the outrageously laughable finale—like an outtake from an X-men movie (one of the bad ones, at that)—but most viewers are likely to have dozed off by then. Stanley Mann’s script is based on a Stephen King novel, though the adaptation feels less inspired by Carrie than a different Brian De Palma movie (The Fury). Followed by a miniseries sequel (Firestarter: Rekindled), which debuted on cable in 2002.

30/100