Chiller

Corporate exec Miles Creighton (Michael Beck) dies, and is cryogenically frozen in the hopes that he can be revived. Ten years later, the procedure is a success, and Miles returns -- without his soul.

So you have director Wes Craven, writer J. D. Feigelson ("Dark Night of the Scarecrow"), special effects from Stan Winston and an incredible actress with Jill Schoelen. How can you go wrong? One suspects the film is better than generally given credit for, but few have actually seen it in a format that actually allows the full effect of the film to be felt.

There is absolutely terrible DVD quality (both picture and sound) on the Digiview Entertainment version (it appears the film fell into the public domain). Most likely, this version was transferred from a second or third generation VHS. It does not do justice to the film, and if a better version exists, get that one instead.

Corporate executive Miles Creighton (Michael Beck, "The Warriors") is brought back to life after a decade of cryogenic freezing. But everybody watching this at home can tell that something is now missing from his personality: it's his soul. He's now a conscience-free creep who thinks nothing of slaughtering the family dog, peeping on his younger sister (the lovely Jill Schoelen, "The Stepfather"), or firing longtime family friend / employee Clarence Beeson (Dick O'Neill, "Wolfen"). A concerned Reverend (Paul Sorvino, "GoodFellas") comes to realize the truth about Miles, but Miles' mother Marion (the wonderful Beatrice Straight, "Poltergeist") has blinders on when it comes to her son.

A somewhat forgotten effort from fright master Wes Craven (of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" fame), this mid-80s TV movie lacks the intensity and impact this might have had, had Craven made it for theatrical release. Written & produced by J. D. Feigelson ('Dark Night of the Scarecrow'), this sci-fi / horror film is of course mild with its horror elements due to the nature of the TV medium. At its best, it's mildly involving, although it does boast some good makeup effects by Stan Winston ("Aliens") and presents a philosophical musing on the nature of the soul. It's still amusing to watch an entertainingly icy cold Beck do these horrible things. The supporting cast includes such other familiar faces as Alan Fudge ("My Demon Lover"), Craig Richard Nelson ("My Bodyguard"), Laura Johnson (Cravens' "Red Eye"), Anne Seymour ("Trancers"), Joseph Whipp (Cravens' "Scream"), and Brian Libby ("Silent Rage"), but Straight is the definite standout as the devoted mother in need of a wake-up call.

The tale is overall pretty routine, with the cliched use of the "one final scare" at the ending. It's watchable enough, but I would only really recommend it to Craven completists.

Six out of 10.

This 80s film has a very good concept. What if you died and were cryogenically frozen immediately after, then thawed out years later. Would you be "soul-less?" Watch the film to find out.

Some very creepy moments but it's basically a dated 80s TV movie. Why bother releasing a film to DVD if there is no desire to enhance it? To make money I know, but, it's just wrong. The picture quality is awful and that's enough to make you want to shut it off. The "film" could stand a remake with a much broader scope because of it's interesting premise. There are a dime a dozen horror films out there but I don't think this approach to terror has often surfaced. What makes the film all the more relevant is the fact that man-kind could actually come face to face with this issue for real.

Corporate bigshot Miles Creighton (Michael Beck) employs cryogenics to have himself frozen after his untimely demise. Ten years later, something goes awry and Creighton is thawed out prematurely.

Once revived, everything seems normal, until Creighton takes his place as head of the family corporation. Now a ruthless psychopath, no one is safe from his selfish, homicidal mania.

Director Wes Craven works fairly well within the confines of 1980's television. Like his other made-for-TV movies, CHILLER suffers from the limitations of the medium. Craven does his best work in the R-rated film format. Still, this movie is watchable enough with good performances and a decent amount of suspense.

Co-stars Beatrice Straight as Creighton's blissfully ignorant mum, and Paul Sorvino as a preacher who suspects that something isn't quite right...

Chiller (1985)

** (out of 4)

Wes Craven's made for TV flick is frozen from the get go and never goes anywhere. In the film, a man returns to life after being frozen for ten years and guess what he does? If you guessed he goes on a killing spree then you've just saved yourself 80-minutes. Just looking at the film you can tell Craven didn't have much hope in the film because you can't see any of the typical Craven trademarks. The story itself is rather lame and it's nothing new so there's not much to get excited over. There isn't any gore since this was made for television but there's also no suspense, no humor and no good performances. Paul Sorvino has a small role but even he's sleepwalking.