Review of Dreamcatcher (2003) by Thequietgamer — 14 Jul 2016

It's a stupid movie. A rather juvenile affair. You've got burping, farting, and aliens crawling out of people's buttholes. However, there is a sense of brilliance and imagination here. Deeper elements going on in the background to make it more mature than it otherwise seems. It really makes me wish I read the book. Unfortunately the movie seems to focus on the stupider elements of the Stephen King novel and leaves the more thoughtful ones to the wayside.

Like most Stephen King stories, this is very character driven. Only it seems somebody forgot to tell the director that. There is painfully little context as to whose these people are or how their little catchphrases, nicknames, and shared insights originated. That's the issue with the movie. It's more intelligent material is left unexplained. It merely lays out the basic plot and asks viewers not to ask questions about the deeper fiction holding all together that was required for it to succeed in the first place. As far as the plot goes, it just leaves you wondering. Baffled as well.

Yep, this body horror is all about the blood, guts, and bodily functions. The movie approaches all of these with a sense of glee and self-amusement. The results are surprisingly not terrible. I can't attest to how well it stays faithful to the source material, but one thing is certain and that's Stephen King certainly got imaginative with this one.

It's all really bat crap crazy. Certainly one of the most unique and unpredictable movies I have ever seen. The cast seems totally committed, even if there is a certain hammy tone to each of their performances at times. It's the level of insanity on display that adds an entertaining nature to the film. It's hard to not be interested in what's going on even if you are just there to look for answers that will never come.

I can't say I totally feel like I wasted my time on this one. I was certainly never bored with it. The plot and immaturity left me disappointed with the overall results, and it's certainly not scary in any way. That being said I still had fun with it even in it's childish of moments. Admittedly despite myself.

Does that mean I can recommend it? Yes and no. If you are looking for a movie truly unlike anything else out there then it's definitely worth a look. It won't leave you completely satisfied with the end results, but at least it will get you thinking. However for those looking for genuine frights and thrills to go along with the gore, as well as a plot that won't leave you frustrated and clueless with it's more compelling elements, then you should likely look elsewhere. Dreamcatcher isn't exactly a bad film. It's definitely got it's enjoyable elements. It's just not exactly a good movie either. That's because it fails to touch on the more complex parts of King's story.