An ancient genie is released from a lamp when thieves ransack an old woman's house. They are killed and the lamp is moved to a museum to be studied. The curator's daughter is soon possessed... See full summary »
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An ancient genie is released from a lamp when thieves ransack an old woman's house. They are killed and the lamp is moved to a museum to be studied. The curator's daughter is soon possessed by the genie and invites her friends to spend the night at the museum, along with some uninvited guests. The genie kills them off in an attempt to fulfill her ultimate wish. Written by
Mark J. Popp <poppmj@cadvision.com>
I love the idea of museum set horror, especially if its Djinn related. I loved the original Wishmaster and was pretty keen to see this 80's effort. Its not rocket science, but it does deliver reasonable schlocky fun. The opening fifteen minutes or so were somewhat unexpected and likable in a very silly way. The effects aren't too impressive and the direction is less than surefooted but it gets the job done. Then the film gets down to the main plot, setting up its class of teens, on a field trip to a museum. Things, needless to say, go pear shaped with the help of coloured lights, a smoke machine and a malevolent Djinn, a cheesy, cheapo but endearingly imposing creature. The characters are all paper thin, vaguely watchable but lacking any spark and not really engaging or likable. The film takes a bit too long to get to the killing action, though the director does manage some nice camera moves in the museum and cool lamp pov shots. When everything does get going the film rewards the viewers patience with a number of gnarly deaths complete with satisfying grue. It all comes thick and fast and the finale is a typically 80's dim-witted delight. All in all this is trashy fun that serious horror fans will likely condemn, but for undemanding fans of silly effects, unusual and grisly kills and fragrant cheese will most likely find things to keep them smiling. Well, I did at least.
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I love the idea of museum set horror, especially if its Djinn related. I loved the original Wishmaster and was pretty keen to see this 80's effort. Its not rocket science, but it does deliver reasonable schlocky fun. The opening fifteen minutes or so were somewhat unexpected and likable in a very silly way. The effects aren't too impressive and the direction is less than surefooted but it gets the job done. Then the film gets down to the main plot, setting up its class of teens, on a field trip to a museum. Things, needless to say, go pear shaped with the help of coloured lights, a smoke machine and a malevolent Djinn, a cheesy, cheapo but endearingly imposing creature. The characters are all paper thin, vaguely watchable but lacking any spark and not really engaging or likable. The film takes a bit too long to get to the killing action, though the director does manage some nice camera moves in the museum and cool lamp pov shots. When everything does get going the film rewards the viewers patience with a number of gnarly deaths complete with satisfying grue. It all comes thick and fast and the finale is a typically 80's dim-witted delight. All in all this is trashy fun that serious horror fans will likely condemn, but for undemanding fans of silly effects, unusual and grisly kills and fragrant cheese will most likely find things to keep them smiling. Well, I did at least.