Phenomena (1984)

Phenomena (1984)
Aka: Creepers
Directed by: Dario Argento
Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, Daria Nicolodi, Dalila Di Lazzaro, Fiore Argento


Plot: After the death of a tourist (Played by Dario’s daughter Fiore) in the Alps, an insect specialist played by Donald Pleasence is assigned to help the police find the killer. While this is happening 13 year old Jennifer Corvino (played by Jennifer Connelly), daughter of a famous actor, arrives to Switzerland to attend a private all girls’ school. But Jennifer is not your what you would call a normal girl. She sleepwalks and she has telepathic communication with insects. Because of this no one expect her roommate likes her. Later on while she is sleepwalking she witnesses a murder. She then meets Donald’s character and he suggests that Jennifer try to find who the killer is using her powers over bugs to help. Soon Jennifer goes hunting for the killer, or is she the one being hunted.


Review: This is one of most bizarrely plotted movies I’ve seen. But it’s all done well. The camerawork in this is just incredible, It’s all shot like this movie is a dark fairly tale. There are lots of well detailed long shots and great pans. One other great camera tricks is the bug cam in which it shows beautify shot close ups of the insects and there point of view. The Best scene involves the bug cam; it’s when Jennifer calls forth hundreds of insects to the school to help her escape the school girls. All of bugs look awesome and creepy, it’s no surprise why all the school girls where scared shitless.

The cast is great. Jennifer Connelly surprised me with how well she acted, even if she looks sleepy most of the time and the character she plays is a rich bitch. Donald was great to. I like how he plays it with a little Scottish accent, you also feel bad for him because his in a wheelchair. Also in the cast is the great Daria Nicolodi who does a good job of going from fake ass teacher to crazy maniac. On a sour note, Fiore Argento does seem to be a weak actor; it’s a good thing she was killed off so quickly because I doubt she could hold her own horror movie.
The music is also great (duh it’s an argento movie). The main title is cheesy at times but it’s played beautify by Goblin. Added to the mix are some songs by Bill Wyman, Iron Maiden, Andy Sex Gang and Motorhead. The Iron Maiden Song “Flash of the Blade” is used twice during two random scenes in which silence would have been better.


The kill scenes are well shot and some of the oddest of all argento’s canon. The Stand outs being the knife thru the mouth and the sheet of glass cutting someone’s head off. The effects on the deformed kid are also awesome. Another random thing about Phenomena is the monkey which helps out Donald’s Character. At first it’s a pain in the ass to watch. But after Donald is killed it goes crazy jumping on cars, chasing the killer, and cutting up crazy chicks. Man this movie rocks.
Overall: Phenomena was a wild ride. The music and kill scenes kicked ass, and I don’t know how anyone couldn’t enjoy this movie. It’s one of Argento’s best and weirdest.
8/10
Best line in the trailer: Jennifer: “I love you, I love you all”. , sexy and creepy at the same time.


The main title music(the cheesy one.)