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Firestarter (1984)

 -  Sci-Fi | Thriller  -  11 May 1984 (USA)
5.9
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Ratings: 5.9/10 from 15,758 users  
Reviews: 79 user | 31 critic

A couple who participated in a potent medical experiment gain telekinetic ability and then have a child who is pyrokinetic.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Taxi Driver
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Curtis Credel ...
Keith Colbert ...
Dick Warlock ...
Knowles (as Richard Warlock)
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Storyline

Andrew and Vicky McGee met while earning money as guinea pigs for an experiment at college. The experiment was shrouded in suspicion and mystery, and seemed to be related to psychic abilities. The two were married and had a daughter Charile, who has the ability to start fires by merely thinking about it. Naturally, the government takes a great interest in Charlie, and operatives from the secret department known as "The Shop" want to quarrantine and study her. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Will she have the power... to survive? See more »

Genres:

Sci-Fi | Thriller

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

11 May 1984 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Charlie  »

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$15,100,000 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The cast featured three actors who had won Academy Awards for acting. George C. Scott and Art Carney had won Best Actor Oscars for Patton and Harry and Tonto respectively whilst Louise Fletcher had won a Best Actress Oscar for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. See more »

Goofs

When Charlie throws the three agents in silver fire suits out of the barn after setting them on fire, the wires used to pull them back are clearly visible as the barn door breaks. See more »

Quotes

Charlie McGee: [to her power] Back off! Just back off!
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Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Not spectacular, but good
2 February 1999 | by (Houston, Texas) – See all my reviews

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.


6 of 7 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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So 'Firepower' means you're immune to bullets? shawnw007
I loved the score by Tangerine Dream. girlloveshorror
Was young Jim Carrey in this? aortta
Has ANYONE in this film ever heard of... Viv70
something i didnt get onederboi779
Remake... effedup
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