LogFAQs > #979930923

Karo - A nerdy young man becomes the owner of a sentient yandere automobile named Christine and predictably a lot of people end up as roadkill.

The concept is kinda cool I guess, its like herbie the love bug turned into a murderous psychopath, and it is fun to cheer on as many bullies and assholes get their just desserts (though quite sadly Arnie's obnoxious parents are spared).

Unfortunately most of the human characters are dull high school stereotypes who leave almost no impact other than being speedbumps for Christine to roll over, and that's kinda all the movie is. A few months later and all I will remember about this film was that there was a killer car, and it will get deservedly filed under forgettable mediocrity.

Snake - I hate that I have to disparage another Carpenter film so soon after saying hes my favorite director, but Christine is unfortunately just another weaker one in his canon. The concept of a killer car is inherently campy. Carpenter walks a tightrope between genuinely unsettling and unintentionally funny but often stumbles and falls into the realm of the latter. Im always one for dissecting themes in films, especially horror, but any serious point I can make is really undermined by its own concept. However, Christine does offer moments of visual flair and Carpenter's signature style can be glimpsed throughout. The director's knack for crafting atmospheric scenes and his skillful use of lighting and sound design occasionally shine through, providing brief respites from the film's more ludicrous elements. Ultimately though, I just dont really find the story all that compelling.

Fortybelowsummer - Christine is one of Stephen Kings most iconic characters and shes fun to watch especially if you have a penchant for cool old cars. The first time she repairs herself is visually impressive and the fiery chase down of the main bully is epic (how old was that guy anyway, seriously). John Carpenters mastery of the directorial craft is evident, and its shot and editedwell (Im not good at describing the technicalities). Keith Gordon gives a really good performance, transforming from a friendly, nerdy Arnie to a more sinister leather vest wearing, Baywatch babe groping psycho as he falls more and more under Christines influence. What is that influence, anyway? In the book, iirc, its more implied that the last owners spirit is the corrupting force, and he even sacrificed his daughter to the car. Here, we see that Christine is evil right off the assembly line. Its kind of annoying not knowing why this sentient car is killing people, but you just go with it I guess. Anyway, the problem is, and Stephen King has said this himself, is that the movie is kind of boring. Christine, while cool, isnt really all that scary and I personally could have used some more gore, particularly with the first bully that gets cut in half. On the whole, its a fun watch, just not overly exciting or memorable.

Lightning - You better watch what you say about my car. Shes real sensitive.

Based on the Stephen King novel and directed by John Carpenter, Christine represents one of the most iconic examples of the object comes alive and kills you subgenre. Everybody knows what you mean when you say Christine, the same way everybody knows what you mean when you say Cujo or Pennywise. Of course while the idea is iconic, the question of if it is still good remains and I found the answer to be a resounding meh.

While I generally try to avoid comparisons to the source material, especially with Stephen King adaptations in the 1980s, it really needs to be emphasised just how much this one has been slimmed down. The novel ultimately is a ghost story and Christine is possessed by the spirit of a gangster who is trying to take over Arnie, which explains why he spends time slowly turning into a greaser. Here Christine is just a car that comes alive, so it loses that aspect of the expanded lore, making everything seem simpler and frankly less interesting. Arnies slow transformation into a greaser too, along with the 1950s aesthetics make a lot less sense without that aspect. The characters themselves are also heavily reduced, here basically being cyphers to be chased by a car. While John Carpenters style is great when its showing a flaming car chasing someone down an empty road, it struggles with the high school aspects and all the Americana this story is commenting on. The soundtrack also doesnt quite work for the same reason.

With that said, its still a somewhat entertaining film with some good setpieces. Whenever Christines engines are running, its exciting. It it not quite scary, but does manage to be thrilling at a few moments, and as is so often the case with the films on this list the practical effects are great. Overall while this film is nothing to write home about it is still worth a watch.

3/5

Jcgamer107 - 2/10