Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Writer: William Goldman, Lawrence Kasdan (Screenplay) Stephen King (Novel)
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Thomas Jane, Jason Lee, Damian Lewis, Timothy Olyphant, Tom Sizemore, Donnie Wahlberg
Plot: Friends on a camping trip discover that the town they’re vacationing in is being plagued in an unusual fashion by parasitic aliens from outer space.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Alien Film King Style
Story: Dreamcatcher starts by introducing us to the four friends therapist Henry (Jane) who can read minds but is also suicidal, Jonesy (Lewis) a college teacher who can read body language. We have Pete (Olyphant) a car salesman with the ability to find things and finally Beaver (Lee) a family man who can send out warnings. The four live of the motto SSDD (Same shit different day) and look to spend a weekend away to see Duddits (Wahlberg). When Jonesy is involved in a freak car accident the group move their plans back 6 months.
The weekend is going as planned with memories of how they all meet Duddits but things take a turn when a sick hunter turns up at the cabin, with just Beaver and Jonesy there. To make things worse the animals all seem to be running from something before the army lead by Col Abraham Curtis (Freeman) inform the friends they are part of a quarantine zone.
When Rick dies something is left in the toilet something that Jonesy and Beaver have to fight but nothing had prepared them for what they would have to face as the four friends learn that their meeting with Duddits all those years ago was preparing them for this very moment and the battle against an alien race.
Dreamcatcher brings us King’s idea of an alien storyline, I like how the twist that the friendly looking aliens in just a cover to deal with the deadly side of their character. I also like how the four friends were all given gifts to help them in a battle when it comes. On the bad side we have the typical military look at what is going on which neither helps or hinders the story but almost feels like filler. When you look at how certain moment are filled with King’s style you will like this but as a stand alone alien film this is just very plain. (6/10)
Actor Review
Morgan Freeman: Col. Abraham Curtis is the leader of the military efforts against the alien invaders, he shots first because he knows he can’t let the contagion spread any further. He is on the verge of madness for the most part as he aims to win this war and doesn’t care how many people he kills to do so. Morgan gives us a standard performance that feels out of character for him to play. (5/10)
Thomas Jane: Henry is the straight and narrow of the group of friends, he always wants to do the right thing even if he is questioning his own life. When his friends start getting picked off by the alien creatures and military force who are out to destroy everything inside the quarantine zone, Henry must fight for what is right using the skills he gained with his connection of Duddits. Thomas does a solid job showing he isn’t just an action star. (7/10)
Damian Lewis: Jonesy is the teacher of the group of friends who has his own memory bank but when an alien takes over his body, he must fight the force from inside his head where he keeps one step ahead of the alien. Damian gives us the best performance especially once he gets into the dual roles. (7/10)
Timothy Olyphant: Pete is the car salesman who has an ability to find things with the twist of his finger, he shows the skill early on and is also a much needed helper for the alien who took over Jonesy mind. Timothy does a good job in this role standing out as the cocky member of the group of friends. (7/10)
Support Cast: Dreamcatcher has solid supporting performances from Jason Lee, Tom Sizemore and Donnie Wahlberg who are involved in the final outcome of the story.
Director Review: Lawrence Kasdan – Lawrence brings the King idea to screen in a way that brings King’s style of humor to certain parts of life which works very well but never feels like a true comedy. (6/10)
Horror: Dreamcatcher doesn’t reach the true levels of horror I think we would like to see when it comes to this genre of film. (4/10)
Sci-Fi: Dreamcatcher brings us the alien invasion idea but also brings us into a world where they have become common and we are prepared to fight back. (8/10)
Thriller: Dreamcatcher tries to keep you guessing but never pulls you to the edge of your seat. (5/10)
Settings: Dreamcatcher puts our characters in an isolated setting once the quarantine zone takes over but nothing about the settings becomes truly clear where they are. (4/10)
Special Effects: Dreamcatcher has a get bad marks for the special effects, you can see the CGI all the way through and even see it with fake snow. (2/10)
Suggestion: Dreamcatcher is one for the King fans to watch you can see his ideas through the whole way through but if your not a King fan you may struggle to enjoy this. (King Fans Watch)
Best Part: Damian Lewis steals the film.
Worst Part: CGI
Funniest Scene: Pete asking Jonesy why he sounds like James Bond as we know Damian Lewis is always in the mix for being the next Bond.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $33.6 Million
Budget: $68 Million
Runtime: 2 Hour 16 Minutes
Tagline: Four friends hung a dreamcatcher in their cabin. It’s about to catch something it cannot stop.
Trivia: To portray Mr. Grey speaking through Jonesy, Damian Lewis did an impression of actor Malcolm McDowell
Overall: A Stephen King stamped alien film
Rating 
