1 out of 5 stars
Since Stephen King wrote Firestarter in 1980, the world has changed significantly. Many contemporary writers have capitalised on this world of pyrokinesis (psychic ability allowing a person to create and control fire with the mind), especially within the genre of graphic novel-inspired stories of superheroes. In this comic-book inspired atmosphere of misunderstood individuals who are rejected by society and are pursued by those who created them. This is a troupe that would have been groundbreaking in the early 80s, but this may have lost its spark after four decades.
Within this interpretation of the classic novel, we are introduced to Andy (Zac Efron) and Vicky (Sydney Lemmon) McGee, who have recently brought home their daughter Charlie. Yet, soon after her arrival, things are not all settled in their little family. Due to genetic tests from their university days, their child had developed the ability to produce fire when she was upset. Both parents were also known to have telekinetic and telepathic powers of their own. They all had to remain on the run from the practitioners at The Shop. Captain Hollister (Gloria Reuben) is the leader who oversees this organisation and hopes to harness the power of the girl and the rest of her family.
What may have been groundbreaking upon the book's publication has failed to weather the years well in recent decades. There were moments when it would not have been a surprise for Wolverine or any other X-men to step out of the shadows. If people are looking for a better expression of what was trying to be conveyed in this film, it would be worth discovering Logan or M.Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable. Nothing about this reboot of Firestarter had an original feel to it and every cast member seemed to be miscast or potentially wandered onto the wrong set. Every element, from the poorly executed special effects to the use of lines like, ‘Liar, liar pants on fire’ made this less of a suspense thriller and more of an inadvertent comedy.
As Zac Efron attempts to break free from his inevitable typecasting, his last film, Gold, was a solid effort. Still, this film should have him rethinking his agent’s skills. Even though Ryan Kiera Armstrong did her best to shoulder the weight of the whole storyline and Michael Greyeyes (Wildhood) did make an admirable choice as the hired assassin in pursuit of the McGees. Yet, the worst casting choice had to be that of Gloria Reuben as the villainous head of DSI. This exceptionally talented actress struggled to show that she had the skills to salvage a horrific screenplay and deliver a convincing performance unless she was going for more laughs than fear.
Firestarter was an unnecessary remake that would have been better placed on a streaming service. The team at Blumhouse should have taken a fire extinguisher to this spotfire after the initial pitch meeting instead of letting it burn rampantly in cinemas around the world.
Reel Dialogue: Being in the ‘Weird Club’
What does Firestarter have in common with every X-men-inspired film?
They are slightly divergent storylines and are intended for entirely different audiences. Still, both consider that we all have different abilities and skills. The gifts we have may seem odd to the outside world; dare it be said, ‘Weird?’ Charlie continually talks about how she has to deal with constantly being considered odd to others. By the end of both films, it could be said that there is something to celebrate about being different.
Looking at the Bible’s account of humanity, we are all made by and loved by God. These films and the Bible provide a different way to look at those with different ‘abilities.’
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14
