MOVIE REVIEW: Firestarter

 

This is the 2022 remake of the 1984 film, and, though the main events are the same, bears little resemblance to either the original movie or the novel on which they are both based. This one stars Zac Efron as Andy McGee, the father of a young girl, named Charlie (short for Charlene), who has powerful pyrokinetic abilities. In flashbacks it is learned that both Andy and his wife, Vicky, participated in a drug study in college. They were told that the chemical they were to be injected with was a hallucinogen, but was actually a compound that was being experimented with that enhanced psychic attributes. Charlie is the next generation result of the experiment. Because of this, the government is desperate to get their hands on her, with the results being that they murder Vicky, and Andy, together with his daughter, end up fugitives. After running across the country, they are finally captured. But, can anyone control Charlie’s powers, including Charlie herself?

Charlie is played in this version by the young actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who does an excellent job of portraying a girl who is just coming into puberty and has an ability within her that may destroy everything and everyone around her. There is also a fine performance by Michael Greyeyes, who plays Rainbird, a bounty hunter who is assigned to track down the girl and her father, and who seems to have the only chance of even getting close to teaching her how to control her powers. There are some major changes in this film compared to the original one, including the difference in the character of the older couple who take the pair of refugees under their wing and were played by Art Carney and Louise Fletcher, though Kurtwood Smith does a fine job with the version of the part he is given. There are no erotic scenes and not much strong language in this, but the violence is very substantial. Older children may be able to identify with young Charlie, but small children would not be a recommended audience.