Where to watch Watchers
2 1/2 Stars
Based on a novel by Dean Koontz. A boy takes in a stray dog, later finding out that its an ultra-intelligent runaway from a genetic research lab. Unknow to him, the dog is being stalked by another escaped creature thats not quite so friendly.
The odd choice to change Dean R. Koontz’s material to suit the (not age-appropriate) Corey Haim as the lead character is just one of the peculiar choices made by the writing team of Bill Freed and Damian Lee. Watchers: The novel features two adults, Travis and Nora, dealing with a human stalker, a scientifically enchased creature hunting both of them, and a genius-level golden retriever. For some inexplicable reason, the leads have been changed from grown-up lovers to a mom-and-son duo. It’s a baffling decision, but it doesn’t render the film ineffectual. In fact, the movie is a slightly above-average creature feature with a starring performance from Haim at the height of his popularity.
In 2013, the Dome theater in Pleasant Hill, CA, was demolished to make way for Dick’s Sporting Goods. The movie palace opened in 1967 as a single-screen attraction but added four additional screens in 1973. By 1988, urban blight and an uninterested parent company had combined to torpedo the once glorious theater. Instead of the popular blockbusters, the marquee would routinely feature horror movies or the latest exploitation picture from Cannon Films. My aunt dated a magician when I was a kid, and he was an awesome figure in my life for a time. He had a love for movies, particularly horror movies, and it was him and my aunt who let me, aged 9, tag along on their date night movie. In hindsight, I’m fairly positive they smoked a joint in the bathroom while I watched the latest episode of Entertainment Tonight on the sofa before we left for the cinemas that evening.
So for the last nearly 37 years, I’ve carried a fondness for Watchers in my movie-loving heart. I can’t totally justify my silly affinity for the film, but it’s not complete nostalgia either. Watchers is a fun creature feature amplified by director Jon Hess’s ability to stage a scene for maximum suspense. The incomparable Michael Ironside brings gravitas to the project by his very presence, and his off-center charisma is used to good effect in the role of a somewhat untrustworthy government agent.
Directed by: Jon Hess
Written by: Dean R. Koontz, Bill Freed, Damian Lee
Starring: Corey Haim, Michael Ironside, Christopher Cary