Wishmaster

 

When you combine KNB effects with an interesting Djinn mythology and give great horror movie actors cameos in a way that doesn't distract from the main story of the film, I'm going to like it. I did like this. Anytime KNB is involved in a film, no matter how dire I will enjoy the effects work, and this is all I need to enjoy a horror film. That being said Andrew Divoff brings the Djinn mythology to life with one of the horror characters of the 1990s that should be more of an icon. Divoff's lines are amazing and the character feels like a more sincere version of the LEPRECHAUN character from the same decade. Trickster villains and heroes are also always some of my favorites as I can always laugh and be in awe of some of the things they do. That being said, a horror movie villain is only as great as the hero/final girl that opposes them. I really liked Tammy Lauren as Alexandra in this film. She is a vulnerable character, but strong in real world ways. We see her as a credible jewel appraiser and a basketball coach. Her credibility as a character makes her worth rooting for against the Wishmaster. 

Synopsis: A gemologist (Tammy Lauren) unwittingly frees and evil genie (Andrew Divoff) that plays deadly tricks on her friends and acquaintances.

The film starts with a voiceover narrative from Angus Scrimm talking about how God created the universe, the light created angels, Earth created man, and the fire created Djinn. The Djinn are condemned to live in the void between worlds. If someone wakes a Djinn they are entitled to three wishes. The third wish though will unleash all legions of Djinn upon Earth. Film establishes the mythology earlier. We get a look at the Djinn's deceit and nefarious nature in the opening scene in 1127 Persia. A Persian emperor wishes to see wonders, so what does the Djinn do? Torture and mutilate many people in the palace. A Persian sorcerer then imprisons the Djinn in some kind of opal that apparently contains it. Unfortunately for the characters in present time, Dr. Strange will not be around to save them.

The film then follows Robert Englund playing a collector of antique statues. Unfortunately the crane operator (Joe Pilato) lowering one of his statues off of a boat is drunk and breaks the crate carrying the statue. One of the dock workers takes out the opal and pawns it. Someone buys the opal and takes it to the head of an auctioneering company played by Chris Lemmon (son of Jack Lemmon and star of JUST BEFORE DAWN). He instructs Alexandra "Alex" Amberson (Tammy Lauren) to appraise it. Alex leaves the opal in possession of her close friend Josh (Tony Crane). As he has the opal under a microscope it explodes. The Djinn then kills Josh and wanders to find Alex who is the person who set him free, therefore she is entitled to three wishes...

Tammy Lauren as Alexandra

First and foremost I loved seeing so many horror icons in this film. To me their roles do not take away from the movie. As a matter of fact they add to the film. You may think they could be a distraction, but all of them are playing characters that fit their persona and add to the film. The list of horror icons here is long: Tony Todd, Kane Hodder, Ricco Ross (who played Private Frost in ALIENS), Reggie Bannister, George "Buck" Flower, Ted Raimi, as well as the others I have mentioned all ready. Before Adam Green was putting many horror icons in his films to be killed by Victor Crowley in the HATCHET films, this film was doing it. It was also fun to see some greats interacting in ways you didn't expect. There is one shouting match between George "Buck" Flower and Reggie Bannister that is quite funny. 

The KNB effects here are outstanding. For those who don't know, KNB stands for Kurtzman, Nicotero, and Berger. In full,that would be Robert Kurtzman, Greg Nicotero, and Howard Berger. They have also done work independently of one another but when together are quite possibly the best special effects and makeup artists in film. There are some great creature effects and gore effects. The look of Andrew Divoff as the Wishmaster is great. He looks like a cross between a Power Rangers villain and Dr. Chennard in HELLRAISER 2. The red and yellow contact lenses in particular are a nice touch. There are some great blood squibs in a police shootout. Some of my favorite effects include: the chest-bursting alien-like effects, half alligator men, bloody and real looking skeletons, boil and burning effects on Reggie Bannister, stitched eyeless eye sockets, and someone's bottom jaw getting torn off. There are some digital effects that have aged poorly. For example there is one sequence where the Djinn turns someone into this silvery rock looking substance. You can see it is computer generated. Same goes for when he breaks Kane Hodder's animated looking figure into pieces. There are other moments too where snakes come out of a statue and metal wires wrap around someone where you can see it is CGI. The high quality practical effects far outweigh the dated digital effects though. 

Andrew Divoff as the Djinn, in and out of costume and makeup

The main hero and the main villain in this film really help give it some levity as well as credibility. Alex is shown early to be capable. We see her coaching a girl's basketball team and she gives them this talk about timing and how you have to be locked in mentally to make a basket. She basically says it's not like you're shooting around, you don't have that kind of time while playing. This comes back in the final showdown between her and the Djinn where she has to think of a wish to make to put him away. She also feels guilt over her parents death in a fire, so we know the character has gone through adversity. Much like Helen in CANDYMAN she also shows herself to be resourceful. She goes to Beaumont (England) and tries to figure out more about his statue after Josh has been killed. Beaumont then recommends a folklore professor named Wendy Derleth (Jenny O'Hara) who helps her understand the lure of the Djinn. Basically a repeat from the beginning of the film. She also cares a lot about her sister, Shannon (Wendy Benson) who the Djinn eventually uses as a bargaining chip against Alex.

The Djinn himself is great. His powers do not work unless you say "I wish" or "I'd like" even in a metaphorical way. For example, Kane Hodder plays a security guard for Nick and the Djinn tries to break into the place to get to Nick. He eventually tricks the guard into saying "In order to get in here you'll have to get through me, and I'd like to see that." That is when the Djinn turns him into some animated figure and breaks him apart. The same thing happens when he encounters Tony Todd playing the bouncer at Beaumont's party. He eventually belittles him for his job and asks him if he wants to "escape," his job. He says yes and the Djinn locks him in this water tank, saying "Houdini (escaped) in two minutes." Divoff delivers many zingers as this character. Another great moment is when Alexandra asks him to "blow his brains out." He does so but then regenerates instantly and says "That which is eternal cannot die. But if it's any consolation sweet Alex, that hurt like hell." So with that line you see the humor that this character has. This movie would not be as entertaining if it had no substance with the hero and the villain. The climactic scene where the Djinn has disguised itself as Wendy and keeps trying to trick Alexandra into making a wish by asking her if she wants anything to drink or eat is both funny and intense.

Rating: 8/10

Trivia: Director Robert Kurtzman plays a role as the man killed with a piano. Many members of the crew played characters. One of the statues in Beaumont's collection is Pazuzu from the Exorcist.

Clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z60zTp6Izo&list=PLZbXA4lyCtqr5buPex2ACWvsoPNELcBdI

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJgl3uoxXc0