| | | No rest for the wicked.
Features: DVD, English/Spanish, Dolby Digital (5.1), Dolby Surround Sound, Widescreen, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
In the sleepy little town of Fairwater, a monstrous evil has awakened...an evil so powerful, its reach extends beyond the grave. Director Peter Jackson and Executive Producer Robert Zemeckis unleash a riveting thriller with the most spectacular special effects this side of the hereafter. For Frank Banister (Michael J. Fox), death is a great way to make a living: ridding haunted houses of their unwelcome "guests." But as it happens, he's in cahoots with the very ghosts he promises to evict! It's the perfect scam...until Frank finds himself at the venter of a dark and terrible mystery. A diabolical spirit is on a murderous rampage, and the whole town believes Frank is behind it. Desperate to find the true culprit and exorcise his own personal "demons," Frank crosses the ultimate barrier into a shadowy world where even death can't stop a killer. Boasting music by Danny Elfman and co-starring Trini Alvarado, Jeffrey Combs and John Astin, this supernatural chiller is so fiendishly entertaining, it's scary!
"...saucy, scary and pleasantly unsettling" Keneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
"An interesting and worthwile watch..." Ben Fak, BBCi
"A ghost story with an attitude." Michael Wilmington, Chicaho Tribune
Editor's Note
When his hometown is struck by a series of mysterious deaths that appears to be the work of a malicious supernatural killer, a psychic investigator who is able to communicate with the dead attempts to get to the bottom of things and put a stop to the murders. But even with the help of three ghostly friends, he soon discovers that defeating the deadly fiend is a task much easier said than done. With its mix of humor and suspense, THE FRIGHTENERS is spooky good fun from cult horror director Peter Jackson.
Plot Summary
Offbeat horror director Peter Jackson goes Hollywood with this follow-up to his acclaimed 1994 feature, HEAVENLY CREATURES. THE FRIGHTENERS, part horror-comedy, part supernatural thriller, stars Michael J. Fox as psychic investigator Frank Bannister. Bannister is able to see and communicate with spirits as a result of the trauma of witnessing his wife die in a car accident. Now a series of mysterious deaths in Frank's hometown has left authorities at wit's end. The deaths appear to be caused by heart attacks, but eventually it is revealed that they are actually the work of a menacing, Grim Reaper-like phantom. Bannister becomes a suspect after several deaths occur in his presence, and in order to prove his innocence, he and a team of three friendly ghosts attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding the murderous specter. But what emerges is far more than they bargained for, and soon a psychotic killer's lust for revenge from beyond the grave threatens the lives of both Bannister and his new love interest (Trini Alvarado). THE FRIGHTENERS is a fun and fast-paced cinematic romp with plenty of stunning computer-generated special effects.
| Features | Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1; French Dolby Surround | | Subtitles: Spanish | | Theatrical Trailer | | Production Notes | | Cast & Filmmakers | | Widescreen Version | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Universal |
| Release Date: 8/12/2003 |
| Running Time: 110 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1996 | | Catalog ID: 20286 | | UPC: 00025192028625 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English, French Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 2.35:1 |
| Cast & Crew
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| | Professional Reviews | Rolling Stone
"...Flashes of twisted inspiration..." 08/22/1996 p.105Entertainment Weekly
"...Everything-goes....Consistently witty and often lewd and rude..." -- Rating: B 12/20/1996 p.84 Los Angeles Times
"...Saucy, scary and pleasantly unsettling....Jackson, at home with all kinds of excess, keeps everything spinning nicely..." 07/19/1996 p.F10 New York Times
"[A]s the filmmaker points out, THE FRIGHTENERS represents a major turning point in his career. This was the first time that Mr. Jackson worked for a Hollywood studio, cast a major star and made extensive use of computer-generated imagery..." 12/06/2005 p.E11 Sight and Sound
"Jackson's first Hollywood outing is a smash-and-grab horror-comedy....The ectoplasmic effects have aged fairly well..." 02/01/2006 p.89 |
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| Customer Reviews | ![]() | | Cinematography |  5 | | Plot | 5 | | Acting | 5 | | Overall Satisfaction | 5 |
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5 of 5 Frighteningly Good Friday, October 11, 2002
Terry from Oakhurst, CA
If you enjoy Michael J. Fox, you will love this movie! Full of fun effects, fun situations, and fun comedic interludes. Not scary for young teens, either. A must-have for Fox fans! Was this review helpful?  
5 of 5 One cool movie Thursday, December 09, 1999
Matthew Hoffman from Mt. Laurel, NJ
I never saw the movie before but bought it because I was curious. This movie is great. I recommend this to anyone who likes movies. The DVD is excellent and the sound is superb. I'm glad I added this to my collection. Was this review helpful?
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