FeistyUpper
If you don't like this, we can't be friends.
MoPoshy
Absolutely brilliant
CrawlerChunky
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
dnlmonaco
One of the problems that cinema of the 1990s and 1980s is that filmmakers and audiences never really knew what they had on their hands. The Exorcist III by William Peter Blatty, for instance, was probably one of the greatest thrillers ever made and yet audiences and Hollywood executives at the time just didn't know what they had. Pulse is another example of a film that came just too early to be appreciated. It's a solid concept and a solid thriller that probably would be a bigger hit today than in the 1980s when there were no cell phones or computer controlled cars because the idea is so much scarier and more real these days. So on the one hand, Pulse suffers from being too early. But on the other hand, it's also not exactly good. When you talk about all the underrated horror gems of the 80s and 90s (Exorcist III, Pumpkinhead, In the Mouth of Madness, The Resurrected, Prince of Darkness, or Event Horizon) Pulse will never make that list because it's just too flawed. Pulse suffers from "Writer/Director disease", where there isn't enough eyes on a single scene or concept to really understand how it works. The idea of making the main character a little kid instead of the step mom (who steals the show) seems like something someone else should've mentioned during pre-production. Certain scenes feel out of place in the film and you can tell that a large part of the movie was left on the cutting room floor. I'm not saying the movie would do better with a longer running time, because in this case the film is tight enough to hang together, but a lot of ideas are picked up and dropped (voices in the wires, a tv set that seems to talk to you, other houses in the neighborhood being infected). All in all, Pulse suffers from being too early and not well defined enough from the rest of the 80s horror pack. It tries very hard to be Poltergeist but the flaws in the script and the direction just can't pull it off.
jellopuke
If you want to see a movie where evil electricity taunts and haunts a horribly acted kid played by Joey Lawrence, then this is for you. There are some interesting shots here and there, but it's played more as dread rather than real horror since almost no one dies. Of special note is the scene where Joey Lawrence's little brother is playing with his GI JOE toys and says "The Cobras are attacking the Terror Drome," which is hilariously wrong since the TerrorDrome is their base! Stupid kid.
Scott LeBrun
Good, above average sci-fi / horror / thriller makes the most out of a fairly unique premise. Ever likable Cliff De Young plays divorced father Bill, whose son David (Joey Lawrence of future 'Blossom' fame) comes to stay with Bill and his new wife Ellen (Roxanne Hart) for a while. Unfortunately, this happens while a pulse of electricity - which seems to have become some sort of sentient being - is out to terrorize and destroy home owners in the neighborhood."Pulse" offers a fresh change of pace from the slasher films that often took predominance in the 1980s. It's written and directed by a man named Paul Golding, who does a pretty good job. Some viewers can take issue with the concept, or the fact that it's never sufficiently "explained", while others will appreciate the ambiguity of the plot. Assisted by a top notch crew, Golding is successful at combining a number of genuine jolts with some traditional suspense. There is some gore but not enough for more squeamish viewers to truly get upset about. Spooky music by Jay Ferguson and excellent special effects by Richard O. Helmer are heavy assets.The cast is believable and engaging. For a while, Bill may frustrate some people by being one of those Stubborn Dummies common to film, but he's not an overbearing example of this type of character. The lovely Hart, and young Lawrence, are similarly appealing. Solid support is provided by Lawrences' kid brother Matthew (as a neighborhood child) and top character actor Charles Tyner (as a creepy old man who seems to know the score). Other familiar faces in smaller roles are Robert Romanus of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" fame (as a TV repairman), and Myron Healey ("The Incredible Melting Man") as a helpful old neighbor. Look for Tim Russ ('Star Trek: Voyager') in a bit as a cop.Overall, a solid shocker, that appears to offer a comment that we take our modern conveniences for granted, and that they can strike back and kick us in the ass.Eight out of 10.
djtrix26
inspired by this movie after seeing some of it for the first time when I was 3 years old (back in '93), I instantly fell in love with the plot. It was extremely thrilling. After just seeing this film again yesterday for the 2nd time in 13years, I was able to finally refresh my faded memory of this film, and make a better judgment on it. First things first.....I love the acting, and I love Cliff De Young! I think the choice of actors was a fabulous cast for this film. The idea is cool, since people don't always think of electricity and power-poles being potentially threatening. This film basically elaborates on the idea that electricity has a mind of its own. The story-line good, but a tad mysterious (maybe for the better). Some things are left unexplained and you will have questions at the end. That being said, no other decade than the 1980's could have pulled this film off as stylishly as it was! The special effects were good for the time, and not cheesy. The electricity moved realistically, and the "hypnotic-laser" -idea that struck out of the T.V was an awesome way of showing the Pulse trying to reach out. The music was a major- flavor-savor for this film. Great, intense, electric synth music with a suspenseful ominous low tone that accompanied build-up moments, which i personally love in a film score. **(See the scene with a bunch of phone lines that cuts right after a shot on a Real Estate sign "Nero Realtors") & also the music that plays with a heartbeat over the Kilowatthour meter, towards the end. -This is what i mean by "low tone"). Excellent opening and ending credit-music as well, especially the ending! Makes you wish there was a soundtrack available. For a rare movie about electricity that builds tension and suspense, makes this film one to be watched over and over. I will always hold this movie as one of my all-time favs. I'll give it *** out of ****, thumbs up for "good and worth seeing again and again". I'd like to see IMDb's rating go up to at least a 6.0 for this movie. I think 5.0 too low, based on IMDb's standards. WATCH THIS ONE! NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT! It definitely deserves a sequel or pseudo-sequel someday, but not another damn horrid remake please!!! .......... Don't watch the new PULSE (2006)....has nothing to do with this, not a sequel, and totally sucks compared to the 1988 film of the same title.
