Firestarter (1984 movie) (Exclusive Series) (Peacock)

Initial release date: May 11, 1984

Studios: Universal Pictures/Dino De Laurentis Company

Tagline: She has the power … an evil destructive force.

Will she have the power … to survive?

Plot: As youths, Andy McGee and his future wife, Vicky, participated in secret experiments, allowing themselves to be subjected to mysterious medical tests. Years later, the couple’s daughter, Charlie, begins to exhibit the ability of setting fires solely with her mind. This volatile talent makes the youngster extremely dangerous and soon she becomes a target for the enigmatic agency known as “The Shop.”

Cast

David Keith - Andrew McGee

Drew Barrymore - Charlie McGee

Freddie Jones - Dr. Joseph Wanless

Heather Locklear - Vicky McGee

Martin Sheen - Captain Hollister

George C. Scott - John Rainbird

Art Carney - Irv Manders

Louise Fletcher - Norma Manders

Moses Gunn - Dr. Pynchot

Drew Snyder - Orville Jamieson

Dick Warlock - Knowles

Jeff Ramsey - Steinowitz

Writer: Stanley Mann (Conan the Destroyer; Damien: The Omen II)

Stephen King (novel)

Director: Mark L. Lester (Commando)

Rated R (114 minutes)

After checking out the okay 2022 remake of ‘Firestarter,’ I decided to take a look at the 1984 film adaptation of the Stephen King novel since I have never seen it before in its entirety.

Just like most horror-thrillers that came out in the 1980s, the 1984 adaptation did have some cheesy and sometimes corny moments. Even though it was kinda corny, it is still very entertaining. And actor George C. Scott gives a chilling performance in a few spots.

This 1984 movie is an underrated gem that has to be seen at least once - especially if you enjoy the films based on King’s books. The special effects are really awesome and the ending will literally blow you away. This ending I definitely like more than the recent remake.

There is actually a direct follow-up to this movie that I never knew about. It’s a mini-series that aired on the SciFi Channel in 2002 called ‘Firestarter: Rekindled,’ which follows the Charlie character years later. For the Series, I will be checking this one out since it’s primarily 2 long episodes put together as a movie.

‘Firestarter,’ along with the remake and the 2002 mini-series sequel, are now available to stream on Peacock.

Here are a few interesting tidbits for 1984’s ‘Firestarter’:

• George C. Scott wears an eye patch over his left eye during the final half hour of the movie which was due to the infection caused by the contact lenses used earlier in the movie. The eye wasn’t quite healed and had to wear it to complete the filming of his scenes.

• This movie was originally going to be directed by John Carpenter and Bill Lancaster, who wrote the screenplay for 1982s ‘The Thing,’ even wrote a draft for this movie. But, according to Carpenter, Universal execs removed both of them from the project in the wake of the box office and critical drubbing they received for ‘The Thing.’

• ‘Firestarter’ was the first Stephen King novel published in a limited edition. King later regretted this decision because of the copies’ preciousness and unavailability.

• Martin Sheen took over at a late stage from Burt Lancaster, who had to withdraw following heart surgery.

• Producer Dino De Laurentis paid $1 million for the film rights to the book.

• One of the six filmed adaptations of a Stephen King story produced in some capacity by De Laurentis. The others are ‘Cat’s Eye,’ ‘Silver Bullet,’ ‘Maximum Overdrive,’ ‘The Dead Zone’ and ‘Sometimes They Come Back.’

• Released four years after its source novel had been published.

• A mini-series follow up/sequel, ‘Firestarter: Rekindled’ was released in 2002 on the SciFi Channel and is available on Peacock and Tubi.

• Earned $17 million on a $12 million production budget.

https://youtu.be/DfcuksWVRt8