DVD Review: Phenomena (C+)

Phenomena (1985)
Directed by Dario Argento
Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, Daria Nicolodi and Dalila Di Lazzaro
MPAA: UR
Grade: C+

Review by Bobby Nashville

Italian horror auteur Dario Argento directed this stylish, strange and at times entertaining tale of bugs gone bad. The young Jennifer Connelly (yes, that Jennifer Connelly) teams up with Donald Pleasance on this one, and although it is a bit schlocky, Phenomena certainly has it's moments.

Wondering what happens when bugs can communicate with people? Sometimes it doesn't turn out so good. Ask Jennifer Corvino, the daughter of a famous movie actor, who is sent to an exclusive Swiss boarding school. She has power over insects and when times get tough at school (damn cliques) she finds that the bugs can come in handy. She finds friendship with an expert on bugs of (Pleasance) and together they try to figure out what the hell her deal is.

This movie has alot of strange aspects to it: the dialogue is stilted, the music is by Motorhead and Iron Maiden (?!) and for an unreason reason, they keep making a federal case out of the fact that Jennifer is the daughter of a famous movie actor, even though it has no relationship to the plot. Weirdly fascinating and at times, so bad it's good, Phenomena is worth checking out.

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