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Rated: 5.00/5 | Votes: 6 | Views: 55 |Submitted: 02/09/10

The Stepfather

You know what? Sometimes it’s okay to watch a movie for fun. Don’t ever start a horror/psychological thriller/suspense movie and expect to be moved. I scanned a few reviews before I wrote my own review of The Stepfather. And I have one thing to say to those reviewers: Lighten up! The Stepfather is a good, sit-back-and-watch thriller.

I, as opposed to some other reviewers of this movie, have actually seen the original movie. Because I was a huge fan of the 1987 movie starring Terry O’Quinn, I watched this one with an open mind. I did wonder if it could be as great as the first, but it was! In the original, O’Quinn encompassed the kindly stranger entering town with the twinkle of his blue eyes, and at the same time, scared the bejesus out of me with those same kindly features turning evil. Could Nip/Tuck’s Dylan Walsh live up to the awesomeness of O’Quinn? I say yes!

Walsh brought coldness to the screen that made you wonder…how could Susan Harding, played by Sela Ward, really fall for it? But she did, and while other family members began to question his behavior, he steadily worked his way into her family.

Director Nelson McCormick and writer J.S. Cardone took everything that made the original so good and deliciously devilish and brought it to the remake that included some “name” actors such as Walsh, Ward and Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley.

Even the opening scene kept that same haunting quality of the first. Walsh’s character prepares for his day by calmly making coffee, dying his hair, changing the color of his eyes, etc. (Doesn’t everyone color their hair every morning?) As he leaves for a hard day at the office, you find the rest of the family lying around. Literally. The deliberate preparedness of the character is shocking because it brings the viewer to the quick realization that this man is not one to question.

I personally would have liked to see more blood/carnage in the opening scene, but Walsh’s calm demeanor truly did set the stage appropriately, without becoming gruesome. You know as a viewer that you are peeking into the mind of true viciousness.

The movie takes you on a “what will happen next” rollercoaster that kept me interested to find out what happens next. Don’t expect something clever if you are going into this movie wanting a new twist or spin. It stays true to the 1987 flick, which means it’s just a good view.

The DVD also includes some fun special features. Nothing pleases me more than a gag reel on a thriller! Also, the making of featurette explains why the actors were chosen for their roles, such as Walsh as the stepfather. He’s a friendly looking man who can turn sinister fast. Walsh really has a creepy look about him and it’s not something fans ever view on Nip/Tuck.

The Stepfather is being released on DVD February 9. I recommend it for those who enjoy a good thriller movie. However, if you want the meaning of life, go to the Meryl Streep/Nicole Kidman section of the store.

Best line of movie: “It’s called being a guy. We’re all jerks, that’s why women like us.”

- Sharon Foss

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