Wishmaster 25th Anniversary: Wish On, Child
Special effects guru, Robert Kurtzman’s Wishmaster turns 25 this year.
At one point, I had considered the film a “guilty pleasure” but over time realized I was being ridiculous. The film, starring Tammy Lauren as Alexandra Amberson, Andrew Divoff as the Djinn, and potent appearances from Robert Englund, Ted Raimi, Verne Troyer, George “Buck” Flower, Reggie Bannister, Jenny O’Hara, Kane Hodder, Tony Todd, and Tom Savini, with narration from Angus Scrimm, makes Wishmaster worthy of a place in horror cinema’s hierarchy.
The Story: Alexandra Forever
Since I despise reviews that simply vomit plot and give away all elements of the film, unlike Jonny Numb’s in depth and powerful reviews, let’s just say: woman meets Djinn. And if Alexandra doesn’t wish in the right way, this Djinn could run amok on Earth.
Peter Atkins (scribe of several Hellraiser sequels) did his best to present a solid story that planted well placed seeds for a final wish of epic proportions.
Most important, Alexandra is one of horror-dom’s most under-appreciated heroines and it’s a shame not to see her at the top of the heap during “Women in Horror” month. That wrong needs to be righted. Because she isn’t just another “final girl”, she’s the “only girl” (“woman”, dammit). But how can she outwit a Djinn older than time?
And that’s the trick.
If one recalls Agent Mulder’s (David Duchovny) battle with a Djinn in the X-Files episode “Je Souhaite” (episode 21, season 7), one must approach a Djinn with care. When Mulder wishes for “world peace”, he suddenly finds himself as the last man on Earth. Be careful what you wish for, indeed.
Yet Alexandra’s caught in a quandary and has no time to have an attorney draw up wish number three and address all of its possible misinterpretations to satisfy the hungry Djinn. This woman must do it on her own. (The last notable female character to save the entire planet in a horror was Jada Pinkett’s (pre-Smith) Jeryline from Tales From the Crypt: Demon Night). However, will Alexandra find that moment of clarity to win the day?
Beyond the Characters
Sure, this one’s loaded with horror elite, but they’re not just window dressing. That means that story and character are king – and in this case, definitely queen.
It’s Alexandra’s story all the way. To put a stop to the Djinn’s rage, she must play detective to come out on top. Unlike other movies where we see a mousy female character learn to stand tall, Alexandra is already a full-blown, powerful, independent woman. The only difference is this encounter with “the other” as well as “the uncanny” sends her reeling. She must determine her best course of action – and if Alexandra wasn’t strong enough to begin with, it’s doubtful she’d have the wherewithal to make that happen.
Watch Wishmaster – Now
If you haven’t seen Wishmaster, now is certainly the time. The story is solid, the cinematography and special effects are worthwhile, and the acting reflects the heart of each character. This all makes for a gripping horror tale with a satisfying ending.
So enthralled by the film, when I met Andrew Divoff at Chiller Theater, I shook his hand and saluted his performance as both Nathaniel Demerest and Djinn. (For the record, the Djinn make-up wasn’t necessarily comfortable or pleasant.) Divoff said, in all seriousness, “I wanted to do something for the genre.” And that he did.
Enjoy the splendor that is Wishmaster and think about what you would do under such pressure with people’s lives on the line. Could you take that moment to make the perfect wish that would end a world of torment?
4.5 Stars
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Billy Crash
Also known as William D. Prystauk, he loves great, in-depth characters and storytelling in horror, and likes to see heads roll, but if you kill a dog on screen he’ll cry like a baby. Crash, an award-winning screenwriter and novelist, co-hosts THE LAST KNOCK horror podcast on iTunes, and can also be found on Twitter, LinkedIn, IMDb, Amazon, Behance, YouTube, and Instagram. He’s currently in pre-production on a dramatic thriller feature while working on the third novel in his #KinkNoir crime thriller series.
THE LAST KNOCK horror podcast is a Crash Palace Productions’ featured show. Besides this site, you can find THE LAST KNOCK on iTunes with new shows posted every other Sunday at 9 PM ET.
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(Wishmaster still from Image Organization.)