Intensity (1997)

Intensity(1997) Staring John C. McGinley as the killer and Molly Parker as the terrorized girl. Haute tension(2003) and Intensity are both based on a Dean Koontz novel. It's basically the same story. Intensity is just so much better executed in every way. Better performances all-around and much more suspenseful but with less gore. Better shot and without the stupid plot twist at the end that Haute tension had. John C. McGinley gives a truly frightening performance as the serial killer. Great cameo by Piper Laurie.It's very, very good. One of the most suspenseful movies I've ever seen. And it doesn't let you out of it's grip even once for more than over it's 3 hour run. And it also being quite unknown for such a quality show makes it even more interesting and rewarding to watch. Almost better than all the great Stephen King mini series put together, and I'm a big, big fan of all the Stephen King miniseries. I think it's the realism of this movie that makes it so great and it's well drawn characters. Haute tension's got noting on the edge of the seat tension of Intensity. I probably would have liked Haute tension more if I had not seen this one first. Now Haute tension seems so very inferior compared to Intensity.I'm really confused by how such a great movie like Intensity has managed to stay so under the radar of the horror community.As of now there's no DVD release for this one. Which is a big shame when it comes to such a masterclass example of a suspenseful horror-thriller. This one really deserves the DVD treatment to give it some much deserved glory. I want to see a fully loaded 2 disk set with Special Features like a director commentary, deleted scenes, behind the camera documentaries and all that jazz.Until a DVD comes along, go out and find a VHS copy. You will find it most rewarding.

When I read Dean Koontz's "Intensity", I thought it was the most exciting book I'd ever read. I was thrilled to find the movie on TV and delighted to have been able to catch it on tape.Although there are some holes in the plot, it is so consistently riveting that I barely noticed those indiscretions. I do wish there had been more mention of Chyna's motivation for so boldly risking her life. The book explains (very well, I think) what drives her behavior, but if you see the movie before reading the book, you're left wondering if she's even crazier than her adversary.Flaws in the plot or screen writing aside, I thought the acting was superb, especially McGinley's chilling portrayal of the ultimate adrenaline junkie. He manages to paint him not as the deranged nutcase that we'd expect, but rather as an evil and sadistic, yet perfectly sane and sensible sociopath. And THAT is the scariest aspect of the movie.I would highly recommend this movie for anyone who likes a good thriller. It's well worth the 4 or so hours that it runs, if you can find it on TV. You may catch a flub or two, or even not like it at all, but I bet you'll never forget it!

(SPOILER WARNING!) I really love Dean Koontz' books, yet I somehow must've missed this book because I don't remember reading it. But I was excited to see the movie available via Comcast OnDemand. The movie was frustrating and disappointing. Typical horror movie plot where the lead character is a complete moron and does everything a sane person wouldn't. And of course every possible thing that could go wrong DOES.Hmmm... some psycho just killed everyone in the house. Instead of hiding somewhere, let me follow the guy around and peer through windows and bushes at him. Then I'll sneak on the RV and go along for the ride. She has plenty of opportunities to escape, call the authorities, get away and yet she doesn't. A few more annoyances: -Typical clueless police and innocent bystanders, typical lead character who can't just SPIT OUT what the problem is and get the authorities involved. -I love how the kindly old detective pulls up at the scene of the "accident" and finds the lady dead behind the wheel. He just nods softly and says "Poor old (Missus so-and-so) and her beat-up ol' Chevy" and then gets in the police sedan and DRIVES OFF! LEAVES A DEAD BODY HANGING OUT OF A CAR! (and then gets a "slap on the wrist" later) Oh, and the reason this lady died in the first place is because her car stalled in front of the killer and couldn't be restarted. Darn the luck. (How original) -I also love how the detective told the lead character they probably couldn't get information on the RV because that would have to come from Portland?? and what with the holiday and all.. Because you KNOW law enforcement shuts down for weekends and holidays. Gonna have to wait on that partial VIN until next Monday, I reckon' -The leading lady is already severely emotionally disturbed from her own childhood and gets constant flashbacks, but thinks that she can take on this killer with no prior experience and no weapons, no cell phone, no tools. She spends half of the movie ducking in and out of the killers RV. -There's about 45 minutes of footage JUST of her struggling and moaning while restrained with chains and handcuffs in two different scenes.I could go on for hours. I was just really disappointed. Instead of being a scary movie and taking you by surprise, it was an endless parade of typical horror movie scenes that all consisted of the lead character being an idiot and trying to single-handedly save the day since law enforcement is no help, there are no phones anywhere, no civilization.... You spend the whole movie yelling at the screen "NO! What are you DOING!! Get the heck OUT OF THERE and RUN!!" ugh...

This movie was excellent, in my opinion. I am an avid reader of Dean Koontz and Stephen King novels and Intensity did a pretty good job of following the book. My only gripe about it is that I can't find it on DVD anywhere. I can't even find a videotape of it. I think that's because it was a made-for-TV-movie. Still, there have been many other made-for-TV-movies that have become available on DVD or video. Why not this one? I got my wife to start reading Dean Koontz some time ago. I promised her that when she got done reading the book that we would watch the movie. Unfortunately, I can't even find the movie on television anymore. This movie shows a really good example of an average person (Chyna Sheperd) overcoming her own fears with courage and a desire to make things right. Edglar Vess is just plain creepy and twisted!