Review of Phenomena (1985) by Ken S — 29 Sep 2016

Yet another solid Dario Argento flick that has everything you love; gore, cheese, techno music and a monkey. Phenomena might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's still a different styled horror movie that's meant for Argento fans.

Staring a very young Jennifer Connelly and the talented Donald Pleasence, Phenomena is about the teenage daughter of a famous movie star who is sent to a Swiss bording school. Upon her arrival a series of murders become more frequent. With the threat of terror rising, the young girl discovers that she has a powerful connection with insects which she uses to catch the unknown killer. Like always, what seems to be a really bad script is made wonderfully with Argento's famous and talented style. The movie's story might not make a lot of sence and the dialogue is pretty bad, but this movie is no more than the kind of movie that's perfect in the Argento genre. People will have different opinions about this movie, but it's still more creative than most American horror movies in the day.

Argento, like always, does a perfect job. His use of cinematography and lighting is wonderful. But I feel he did an exceptionally better job in this movie because this movie is made to be more of a fantasy than a realistic serial killer movie. The woman can control insects for crying out loud, so the movie's look fits better in a very fantasy-like enviroment. This movie's filming locations are also very beautiful in it's full use of the Swiss outdoors. The funky music Argento's movies are famous for are also in it's most extreme in this movie, featuring hip beats from The Goblins and a variety of other special guest artists like Iron Maiden.

Aside from the serial killer's motovation and the monkey, this movie is about people's need to be connected with nature. We are all one, and in the end we are equials to serve one another, in life and death. This isn't a brilliant movie, but it is a 'sit back and prepare for awesomeness' movie that Dario Argento can deliver out of his horror movies.