Product: Dreamscape [VHS] (1984)
Rating: 5.0
Dare I say it? An overlooked sleeper.
"Dreamscape" is one of those often overlooked cinematic gems, which came on the vanguard of the mid-80's resurgence of lower budget SF which included "Real Genius" and "Wierd Science", among others.Here we have Dennis Quaid exercising every charsima cell possible as a washed-up psychic, who is enlisted by former mentor Max Von Sydow into a top secret program to enter and control people's dreams. Overseeing the project is shady government spook played by Christopher Plummer, with plans of permanently correcting US President Eddie Albert's apocolyptic nightmares. Of course, some of the more fantastical SFX that seemed cool in theatres in 1984 show their matte lines now on video, but the movie does harbour some truly impressive tricks and unsettling dream sequences. The story itself is compelling, and the fine cast helps matters along by selling it brilliantly, and it is a complete treat to see old scenery chewers Von Sydow and Plummer acting against each other. Another fine performance comes from perennial 80's sleazebag David Patrick Kelly as Plummer's dream assassin, but a weak link is Kate Capshaw's typically wooden performance as Von Sydow's assistant.For some reason, I had a hard time hunting down this film, eventually settling for a well-worn rental at the local Mom & Pop videostore. But this entertaining SF yarn is well worth the search, if you can find it possible to see through the shamelessly obvious Raiders rip-off box cover design. Interestingly, Capshaw herself would end up appearing in the second Raiders of the Lost Ark movie, and eventually become Mrs. Steven Spielberg. Good thing too, because she really wouldn't have lasted long as an actress with her painfully stilted acting presence. But don't lose any sleep over that, "Dreamscape" has enough charm, momentum and surprise to overcome even the worst acting nightmare.