Dreamscape (1984)

Dreamscape Film Details

Overview: A young psychic on the run from himself is recruited by a government agency experimenting with the use of the dream-sharing technology and is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of the U.S. president.

Tagline: Close your eyes and the adventure begins.

Review: Dreams have always fascinated me because their always carry such a mystery, to how surreal they are as well as what content they hold; sometimes they mean something and sometimes nothing. This film is an under the radar 80’s gem that I really enjoyed, because you never quite seen a film like it there really aren’t that many that tackle the subject matter on dreams let alone really that many psychic suspense thrillers; this film was one of the first and one of the best examples in my book anyway. The plot is solid if not entirely unique, it’s the typical conspiracy against the president plot that I’ve seen in dozens of suspense thrillers, but here their using the dream realm which I felt was a different spin on this plot and helps make it slightly interesting. The music in the film is good there are a few memorable tracks. The characters are solid, I like the protagonist Alex Gardner (Dennis Quaid) he’s an expert psychic but a rookie in entering dreams. He’s slightly arrogant but in a good way, has a little charisma, he’s a bit sympathetic because he feels responsible for not saving his father despite the fact he only got the vision when he was a child, but he’s willing to take the psychic hero gig whether he wants to or not because there’s no one else. Kate Capshaw was good as Jane DeVries she was a good number two for Alex, whom is smart, slightly useful, can hold her own against danger. Both have decent chemistry together both platonic and romantic wise. And the antagonists I thought were good opponents. Christopher Plumber was decent, I don’t have much to say for him since he’s kinda a typical two dimensional head villain. But it’s really David Patrick Kelly that stands out for the main villain, he has played villains before I thought was once again a good villain. He’s basically an butt head psycho psychic for hire whom surprising turns out to be intimidating due to how well he utilizes the dream world, let alone a more experienced psychic which unfortunately gives him a slight advantage over Alex. He’s also kinda funny from some of the charisma he delivers. But really were in this film for the Dreamscape sequences which are the highlight of the film and they don’t disappoint, there something you just have to see to believe. It’s true that there have been some TV episodes and movies that have utilizes dream sequences, but these dream sequences in this film still stand out because of how unique they are and how elaborate in detail and atmosphere. I really like how it’s shot and certain effects and set pieces which successfully created a surreal landscape, and it felt accurate because that’s basically what most of our dreams are they never really look or behave like our contemporary reality because anything could happen and does. Alex’s reactions to them help because were in the same boat as him in the sequences, the Dreamscape is trippy, fascinating and even a little scary. One of the things that stand out no doubt is the Snake Man, I still think is a memorable monster. I really like the design of it, it sort of looks like Cobra Ka from “He-Man”. The way it just behaves and looks is creepy, and personally I find snakes at times creepy anyway. My favorite Dreamscape was in the final conflict, I just really like the post apocalyptic setting, but also just the back and forth in the physical (or psychic) confrontation between Alex and Tommy. I just like how Tommy is just throwing different things against Alex, like having a ninja uniform and using nunchkus; as well as other things I don’t want to give away. It’s true this films journey isn’t without it’s bumps. Certain scenes where Alex isn’t in the Dreamscape weren’t that interesting and useless, like the gambling scene. One dream scape journey to a divorced couple was out of place and look like something out of a bad soap. And certain effects don’t quite hold up. But there are all minor problems due to the just the pacing of the film and the pulp fun tone to it, so I can get past these things. Overall it’s a solid film that deserves a look. In the world of dreams anything can happen. Rating: 3 stars

Country: United States

Language: English

Duration: 99 min

Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror

Also known as: Dreamscape,Sueños de escape,Ucieczka w sen,ドリームスケープ,Бягство от съня,Hemlig mord,Видение,Nu går den vilde drømmejagt,Höllische Träume,O efialtis tou proedrou,O Psicopata Assassino,El escape de los sueños,第四空間征服者,Dreamscape – Fuga nell’incubo,L’aventure est au bout du rêve,La gran huida,Az álomküzdők,Predeli sna,Morte nos Sonhos,Escape de un sueño,Salainen siirto,A Morte nos Sonhos,Nattens mareritt,Пейзаж снов,El túnel de las pesadillas