Overrated

Better Late Then Never

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

One of the best thrillers I've ever seen and the fact that it's a lesser budget "made for TV" movie doesn't diminish it's brilliance. It outshines most big budget Hollywood guff out there and provides the viewer with a tense, nail-biting experience mostly powered by two riveting performances from Molly Parker & John C. McGinley. This is what the French film, Haute Tension (High Tension/Switchblade romance) wanted to be but failed dismally. Intensity is the original movie based on Koontz novel - sadly Haute Tension, no matter how vehemently it's makers deny it - was a failed attempt to remake Intensity but not credit Koontz. They threw in a bunch of random "shocking" scenes/gore & a lame twist at the end hoping this would disguise the fact that it's the exact same story & they plagiarized it. What the directors of the French version didn't understand is why, even with it's low budget & basic production, this version of Intensity works so well and theirs doesn't. The acting, the script, the development of the plot and the fact that it isn't just slash & gore for the sake of it, THAT'S why it works. It's why this movie is a MUST SEE if you are able to find a copy of it anywhere while it's sneaky, absurdly violent, badly acted, slasher rip off - Haute Tension - is a "must avoid at all costs".And I have to stress how absolutely incredible John McGinley was as the psycho dude. Somehow he managed to come across as chillingly insane AND absurdly normal at the same time. One of THE best villains ever.I can't recommend this two-part mini-series enough. Please try and get a hold of the full uncut version if you can. It's definitely going to be a repeat viewer for me.

I thought John C. McGinley was the worst part of this movie! Not sure who did this casting job, but it was horrible. I read the book before watching the movie, which always ruins the movie! Ha, ha. I pictured Edgler Vess as a strong, muscular, big, confident, even handsome and somewhat charming man. He talks about fitting in to his life, not giving away what he enjoys doing (killing). He's obviously crazy, but he is very controlled. He does not appear outwardly crazy. McGinley comes across as crazy in any environment! He is totally annoying. It's like casting a mosquito in the role of a lion. It's not that I don't like McGinley, but this was not a role that fit him. I'm not a big Dean Koontz fan, but I really liked this book and was looking forward to seeing the movie but the movie did not do it justice! Skip the movie, read the book--you'll enjoy it more.

if it is edited for TV you will not get the full effect. Overall, this is a suspenseful, believable book and story, and the movie succeeds because of John C.McGinley, and Molly Parker. McGinley is excellent as the killer, and is also quite believable; he doesn't overplay the part;and his mannerisms and expressions are always memorable; (I first saw him in "Wall Street", with Charlie Sheen,(1987) and he was quite funny.I do see that several reviews from other countries were not as favorable; since I am in America, you must realize that we are lucky when a talented, non-box-office actor is given a decent role; Hollywood usually miscasts the films, and uses someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger (yawn) Molly Parker's character, Chyna, has had a difficult past, which we glimpse through flashbacks. These scenarios give insight as to why she chooses to pursue the killer, and her bond with the child victim, Ariel.I will not divulge the ending, except to say this movie is definitely worth buying the DVD, and also reading Dean Koontz' book.

If you can suspend your disbelief at the unreal experiences and miraculously close escapes and repeatedly coincidental circumstances, you cannot relax because this film takes you on a most intense ride that leaves you with knuckles bruised from gripping the edge of your seat. This film is non-stop, heart-stopping close shave after close shave, and if you are on heart medication, STAY AWAY FROM IT. John C. McGinley plays this part so perfectly he should be enshrined for it. Only Jack Nicholson plays a crazy man better. I stayed up late to watch this movie to the end, and I am extremely disappointed that it cannot be bought anywhere. If anyone knows where it can be purchased?