Horror Movie 16: Flatliners

Flatliners for me is a strange movie.  It has a strong and original storyline (for the time), it has quite a strong cast and it is quite entertaining.  Problem I have is it can come across as quite cheesy at times and bordering on boring.  So, let’s get on with the review and I’ll examine why I feel that way about it.

The story is quite pedestrian in a horror movie really.  Five medical students (the nerdy one, the maverick one, the good looking woman and the crazy one) are wanting to experiment with near death experiences.  They think it will make them famous and “get them on 60 minutes” as they keep on pointing out to us.  Through the movie four of them (the nerdy one is too smart to do it) go through the process of stopping their heart and coming back to life to see if they see anything.  As the omnipresent viewers we are in such movies we see what they see as they die and also see that they brought something back with them, and each “ghost” they bring back with them seem to be pissed with them.

So yes, I’ll admit that I like the storyline and if I am in the right mood I find it quite entertaining like I did today as I viewed it for this review.  The problem I have is that it is (as I have said) bordering on being cheesy and boring.  The characters are not really that strong, but maybe that’s just the actors.  Kiefer Sutherland is passable as the crazy one who first takes the trip to the afterlife.  If they were serious medical students you would assume that he’d notice things were getting fucked up and stop people from doing it, right? No, he just ignores it all and lets everybody else fall into the same hell he’s living.  Kiefer is quite poor in this movie really, but I don’t think I could name a movie where he’s that good an actor? He’s passable in Lost Boys and does his job good enough but hardly Oscar worthy.

Then we have the rest of the cast, Kevin Bacon? Mr Hollow Man himself is as hollow as the character he played in that movie quite honestly.  I’ve never seen him in a movie where he’s really outshone anybody else.  I’d argue he was probably best in Tremors but that hardly needed good acting.  The Graboids out acted him, but yes I guess I’m being quite harsh there.

I know, I can almost hear the cries of “what about Julie Roberts!” well I’ve never seen her as a good actor quite honestly and as with the rest of the actors she is good enough.  Same with Oliver Platt, but don’t get me started on William Baldwin.  My opinion is there are too many Baldwins in this world, why did the God of movies smite us with their presence?

So, do I hate this movie? No I don’t, I think it’s just good enough.  The acting is passable the storyline is a strong point but the direction and lighting really do let it down.  The change is lighting to a cheesy colour when the “ghosts” appear really let the scenes down really, it could be done more effectively and has been by many other movies.  Changing the colours to be blue when a ghost appears is not subtle at all, a movie like this would really be improved by just having more effecting lighting direction.  Alas that was not to be and we just get some hammy 80’s/90’s glaringly bad colour effect.  Not even Nightmare on Elm Street got it that bad.

I would recommend watching this movie even though I’ve complained about it.  It IS entertaining and I’m sure other people would get a lot more out of it that I did but I’m just a bit of a movie snob (or feeling like one today) and like my movies with a bit more quality.  Especially when it promises so much ultimately gives so little.  So yeah, I’d give it 5/10 probably.

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Paul Metcalf

Paul can often be found on Twitter talking about his favourite movies, games, technology and books when he is not reviewing them and adding news to Pissed Off Geek. Be sure to follow him on Twitter and on the Pissed Off Geek Facebook page. As not only owner, managing editor and webmaster of the site he is also the owner of Pissed Off Geek sister site Truly Disturbing. He can be contacted by emailing here

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