Review of Flatliners (1990) by Charlie G — 08 May 2012

"Everything we do matters...".

A seriously solid supernatural horror thriller that was executed surprisingly well, Clarinets is one that will really get your heart racing, and quick. Director Joel Schumacher (Tigerland, Phone Booth, A Time To Kill, The Client) gave us one of the very best super natural horror thrillers of the early 90s, it's very edgy and supremely tense. I haven felt suspense like this from a doom in quite some time, it got to the point that I couldn't blink, I was so utterly enthralled and engaged into this movie that I forgot to cook dinner, it's that intense. The concept of Flatliners is searingly original and makes for some ultra cool and slick kinetic filmmaking, at the time, the visuals that this film has to offer were too notch. It's a fantastic brain-bender, a psychological powerhouse that's a complete mind trip from start to finish. Is there life after death? The issue of mortality and what comes after we die is always going to be a frightening, yet fascinating issue no matter how you look at it or what your personal beliefs are, this film really looks deep into that fascinating concept and takes you on a fantastically trippy, disturbing and gripping roller coaster ride. You've heard the story before, vivid lights and beautiful thoughts after a near death experience, Flatliners brings that concept to an entirely new level, a psychologically, maddeningly, intensely raw and searingly suspenseful new level. One of Joel Schumakers best films and one of the best supernatural and psychological thrillers of the nineties, a thought provoking gem of a film that really naws and paws at your brain. Highly entertaining and solid filmmaking from Joel Schumaker and company.

Along with being a legitimate film, Flatliners has a hip cast of A listers whom all give us great performances. Kiefer Sutherland is fantastic in one of his most early performances. Kevin Bacon is awesome throughout. Julia Roberts is sexy as hell, and gives a dynamite performance throughout. William Baldwin and Oliver Platt don't disappoint. Flatliners is one to see especially if you like having your mind played with.