forzaeva
First off, I'm not one to write a review of any movie.I've watched a few. Enough to know what's what and who's who in the biz, but I'm no film critic. Main reason I wrote this review is to correct a misunderstanding perceived by a review of the "Creepers" cut VS "Phenomena" : *SPOILERS*The chimpanzee is NOT the killer in the "Creepers" cut. I watched the "Creepers" cut myself because I was intrigued by that reviewer's remarks. Either the reviewer remembered wrongly or watched an unknown "Creepers" alternate ending... If there would exist one. I then confirmed by IMDb's FAQ link that no such version (making Tanga/Inga the villain) exists.I enjoyed Goblin's and Simonetti's score including odd 'Iron Maiden' and 'Motorhead' song choices that a lot of the negative reviewers thought were misplaced - even though those two bands are not really my cup of tea. The overall moody autumn/fall feel coupled with a picturesque Swiss horizon sets a great atmosphere. Supporting cast was fair. Donald Pleasence's eccentric character made an important contribution. Daria Nicolodi as a seriously deranged character was fun to watch.The movie is marred by some cheap and embarrassing special effects, trashy gore and low production quality typically associated with the horror/slasher genre.There is a reason why Dario Argento had only nice things to say about Jennifer. There is a reason why Jennifer wants to forget she once starred in this.I'd otherwise rate this one around 4.5-5/10. But Jennifer Connelly's Ms. Corvino lights up the screen with her angelic presence and unusual powers.If not for Jennifer, there would be no Phenomena.
Bezenby
I've watched this one a few times, and always primarily start thinking that it's going to turn out like one of Argento's inferior films (like Trauma). It's the usual giallo staple initially. Victim being stalked and killed. An introduction to a girl's school and an outsider. Various red herrings and allies.But then things start going slightly askew. One character is paralysed and has to rely on a really intelligent chimp to help out. Another has a psychic connection with insects and can use them to perhaps discover who is killing local girls. This is where the normal giallo conventions start to decay.However, at first it's like Argento is kind of playing it safe even with these weird elements, but gladly the last third of the film rises above everything else and it almost becomes an Argento classic, but not quite. We do have a vengeful chimp with a razor blade, a pit of gore, some tension a'la the Sergio Martino film 'Torso' and (let's be honest) a hideously misplaced Iron Maiden track.Don't dismiss this one, however! My favourite Argento films are Deep Red, Suspiria and Tenebrae, but I'd lump this one in with the 'Animal' trilogy, which are all worth a watch, Inferno, and Mother of Tears.In the background of this film are: Michele Soavi (Stagefright and the awesome Dellamore Dellamorte), Luigi Cozzi (Starcrash and the indescribably great Hercules films), and the guy who did the effects for Zombie Flesh Eaters.
Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW)
In her youth, Jennifer Connelly made a name for being a young actress. In Phenomena, aka "Creepers" she plays a student in Switzerland learning abroad. While learning, she discovers that she has the ability to communicate with insects. It comes in handy when a killer is on the loose killing the young ladies. Months earlier, one student is beheaded by a mysterious killer. A wheelchair bound doctor(Donald Pleasence) is determined to help find the killer with Jennifer's help. Her power of telepathy to insects makes her a outcast to the school. The rest of the girls insult her so bad, she wants to go back to the States. That happens right after her French roommate gets killed. Her sleepwalking gets the attention of the doctor. But when he gets murdered, Jennifer takes action. The chimpanzee assistant has her ways of getting into trouble, but even she has her connection with Jennifer. A great movie it is. Bizarre as well. A major keeper in the horror vault. Rating 4 out of 5 stars.
SnoopyStyle
A young woman on a trip in the Swiss Alps misses her bus. She looks for help in a house but is killed by a crazed maniac who escaped from chains. The police gets help from insect expert Professor John McGregor (Donald Pleasence) who has a chimp helper. Jennifer Corvino (Jennifer Connelly) is the daughter of a famous actor. She's new at a Swiss all-girls boarding school that was once home to Richard Wagner. She has special abilities and affinity with insects. She sleepwalks and is befriended by McGregor.The good part of this movie is the presence of the leads Connelly and Pleasence. They are very compelling actor in a rather flawed serial killer thriller. The insect aspect is not as compelling as it ought to be although there is a good 'Carrie' scene. The directing from Dario Argento is a bit stale. It's an European horror without anything scary and the music is crazy distracting. Also what's up with the chimp? Connelly keeps my interest and Pleasence adds gravitas. Then the movie loses Pleasence and goes to another place. The last half hour is a mistake. The movie needs to stayed at the school and wrap up there in a 15 minute flourish. Instead it stumbles and rambles with different characters and different locations and struggle for pace and tension. It's not a good way to end this but the campy chimp with a blade sequence is hilarious.
AD
