Review of Christine (1958) by Martin S — 12 Oct 2010

The 80s was a great time for horror, both written and filmed, as evidenced by this teaming of two if the genre's greatest exponents, Stephen King and then uberdirector John Carpenter.

Mega-nerd Arnie Cunningham finds a clapped out old Plymouth Fury named Christine (actually "played" by a series of tweaked Belvederes, due to the rarity of Furies, fact fans) in the garbage-strewn yard of a creepy old-timer and buys it, against the advice of his best friend. A bond quickly forms between boy and machine, and woe betide anyone who gets between them!

Carpenter's decision to make his own changes to the plot were controversial, hated by some loved by others, but I think he made smart decisions, resulting in a horror masterpice which really does feel equal parts King and Carpenter.

The film still looks great after 27 years, with crisp cinematography and uniquely Carpenter camera angles. The director-penned score and classic rock'n'roll soundtrack are both fantastic, but truly the car is the star with Christine stealing every scene she's in, even up against handsome muscular company such as Dennis's '68 Charger and badlad Buddy Repperton's glorious '67 Camaro. The scene where Repperton tries to escape a flaming Christine on a deserted highway is a stone classic!

And to this day, guys still name their cars after women. Hmmm...