Noutions
Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .
Lollivan
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
Neive Bellamy
Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.
Kirpianuscus
The name of director could be more significant than the film itself. because , to know the map of Argento universe is real useful for understand "Phenomena". a real good horror. if you ignore the flaws and admire cultural references. and the good performances - Donald Plesance is the most easy example. the work of young Jennifer Connelly is decent and a good revelation for young public to discover the first steps of an interesting actress. in same measure, it is a film of atmosphere. and one of remarkable demonstrations of special art of Dario Argento. a film like a trip across memories. because familiar pieces are present and, in same measure, the drops of magic/old myths are a precious gift.
skybrick736
The opening sequences in Phenomena are a true testament to a dying art of film-making cinematography by capitalizing on an area's landscape. The mountain background and cold atmosphere provided a chilling bleak outlook for the character left behind by a tour bus. Argento's craft is driving a thrilling story full with brutally graphic kill scenes but also masterfully suspending the monster or true horror for the climax. Pheonomena is a perfect example of this blueprint, keeping the viewer completely engaged with odd insect sequences, horrifying kill scenes, all while keeping the mystery alive to the very end. It's also interesting to watch the mixture of English speaking actors, Connelly the American, Pleasance being British along with a host of Italian actors. The dubbing is noticeable but Argento managed to make this a non-issue by off- camera shots and solid editing. There are some corny, unneeded aspects of the story and the ending could have finished more eloquently but it's still a superb, must-watch horror film.
Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW)
In her youth, Jennifer Connelly made a name for being a young actress. In Phenomena, aka "Creepers" she plays a student in Switzerland learning abroad. While learning, she discovers that she has the ability to communicate with insects. It comes in handy when a killer is on the loose killing the young ladies. Months earlier, one student is beheaded by a mysterious killer. A wheelchair bound doctor(Donald Pleasence) is determined to help find the killer with Jennifer's help. Her power of telepathy to insects makes her a outcast to the school. The rest of the girls insult her so bad, she wants to go back to the States. That happens right after her French roommate gets killed. Her sleepwalking gets the attention of the doctor. But when he gets murdered, Jennifer takes action. The chimpanzee assistant has her ways of getting into trouble, but even she has her connection with Jennifer. A great movie it is. Bizarre as well. A major keeper in the horror vault. Rating 4 out of 5 stars.
punishmentpark
I've seen quite a few films by horror master Dario Argento, but this one is really something else. Don't bother looking for logics anywhere, but just try to let the audiovisual madness wash over you in a way you've never seen before. Although, perhaps(!), this is one of those 'It's not for everyone'-deals.A great plus is the beautiful and very enthusiastic, young Jennifer Connelly playing the lead here, what a great screen presence. Strangely, my favorites after her, are actually a lot of insects and a rather gracious monkey. The story is rather simple, with the 'usual' stretches, and contrived complications at the end, but (among other things) the theme with the insects and Jennifer's connection to them, is brilliantly brought to life by both Argento and the special effects department (Sergio Stivaletti did the most important work, as I understand it).Of course, we need to thank Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Goblin and some others, too, for a terrific soundtrack, that justs bursts out at the most unexpected moments. And, finally, Switzerland offers a beautiful backdrop, of which Argento takes full advantage. Glad to have finally seen this, I could use an Argento boost after the disappointing 'Il cartaio'.A big 8 out o 10.
