frequency n . ,
the number of times a specified phenomenon occurs within a specified interval as the number of repetitions of a complete sequence of values of a periodic function per unit variation of an independent variable ?
etc do n't worry .
when watching the thriller frequency , you wo n't have to know what the heck frequency means .
the premise , although it may sound complex , is very basic on the big screen .
a new york cop , john , ( jim caviezel ) finds a radio in his house , which allows him to communicate with his new york firefighter father , frank , ( dennis quaid ) who died thirty years ago .
immediately john warns his father that he will die trying to stop a fire in an abandoned warehouse .
when frank takes his advice and survives the accident he was n't supposed to , the two eventually realize that by changing that one moment in the past , they have created a whole new future in which a serial killer murders john 's mother and nine other women .
it is now up to john and frank to use their special connection and save thirty years ago to make present time a better place .
( i told you that was n't confusing ? ) .
overall , i was very pleased with frequency .
it 's occasional sappy moments perfectly synchronized with its suspenseful serial killer scenes .
i usually do n't buy those cheesy
" i love you dad " segments in movies , but this one surprisingly satisfied me .
maybe because the plot is so creative and universal that i believed that this is how most people would act when talking to a dead relative .
frequency 's creepy premise left me thinking once the film ended ,
what if ?
what would i do ?
would i help my own family or save a historical figure from being assasinated ? or stop some kids from shooting other kids ? or buy stock from yahoo ! ?
( a character in the film does the latter with humorous consequences ) .
frequency also reminded me of the fantastic back to the future .
both share that " change the past slightly , and you 'll change the future heavily " warning .
the changes between the present and the past , such as different newspaper headlines or people disappearing and reappearing in photographs , are very similar .
both are also wonderful feel - good family films that can attract to a number of generations .
the only difference worth noting is that frequency 's final scene does n't set up a possibility for a lucrative sequel already in the making .
there are some problems with the film though .
first , there is a major flaw in the story towards the end that is somewhat distracting ( email me if you have seen the movie and want to know what i think it is ) .
the plot must have confused even the filmmakers who frequently ( no pun intended ) switch from 1969 to 1999 while telling the story .
another problem is that the supporting cast , including noah emmerich and andre braugher , are underused .
while in the film , which is not enough , the aforementioned actors steal every scene they are in .
frequency was a pleasant surprise for me and the audience i saw it with who cheered at the end .
even if you know what is going to happen or if you think the preview ruined the movie for you , like it almost did for me , check this movie out .
you may be surprised as well .
Output: P