Fear [DVD]

When FEAR slipped in and out of our collective consciousness in 1996 with all the impact of a school board election, the critics' near-unanimous cry of "cheesy thriller" was followed by the sound of the cineplex door hitting the picture on the butt as it made its way to oblivion.Well, yes, FEAR is a cheesy thriller, and it's also formulaic, cliched, hysterical and even downright silly. But all of that misses the point. Unlike most formulaic, cliched, hysterical and silly movies, FEAR has enough sex, swagger and thrills that you can still respect yourself in the morning after spending a lurid night with it.Like any charming piece of trash, Fear is best appreciated if you decide at the outset to give wholly in to it (a prospect which shouldn't, in and of itself, disturb anyone who thought Independence Day was a major work of motion picture art). Giving in to the movie isn't just a matter of accepting that it's a hokey cross of FATAL ATTRACTION and THE WILD ONE, though that is undeniably part of the fun. Nor is it just a matter of finding out whether underwear model Marky Mark Wahlberg can act (which he can, some). No, giving in to FEAR is a question of embracing the unthinkable, of considering the possibility that a remake of CAPE FEAR with Wahlberg in the Robert De Niro role and William Petersen standing in for Nick Nolte might actually be an improvement. Seriously. In large measure, FEAR is more satisfying than CAPE FEAR because Wahlberg is a more cuddly villain than De Niro and Petersen a less likable putz than Nolte.Where Nolte is dashing and able, Petersen is aptly wan as an architect whose career is accelerating a tad beyond his capacities, whose second marriage (to an innocuously cute Amy Brenneman) is crumbling, and whose teen daughter (Reese Witherspoon), the issue of marriage number one, is blooming sexually and increasingly eager to act on her new urges. Into this tenuous menage saunters Wahlberg, looking smashing as David McCall, a local hanger-out who's part altar boy and part psychotic. He literally seduces Witherspoon, and figuratively seduces her stepmom, her half brother and the family dog. Only Petersen, who understands David's predatory masculinity all too well, resists the guy's charms, and sets off a hair-raising rivalry, with Papa Bear trying to defend his little cub from the New Young Buck on the Block.Thankfully, FEAR glides along with a big dumb grin on its face, utterly unaware that it's about any such thing as male domination, and therein lies its appeal. This same blissful ignorance also makes Fear a better bet on video than it was a theatrical film. Go to a theater and watch Wahlberg stalk a suburban family and you might start wondering if someone's dosed your Pepsi; watch a Wahlberg film on video and realize that it's actually about something, and you feel pretty good about lying around the house in your sweats on a Saturday night. Don't get me wrong, of course. In the end, as Fear winds its way from moderately engaging psychological thriller to ludicrously over-the-top siege movie, you'll find yourself, howsoever absorbed, grateful not to have spent "E" ticket prices for what is little more than a mental kiddy ride.The fact that FEAR works as both pure cotton candy and intriguing horror show is attributable most of all to director James Foley, who's a frustrating talent as likely to produce silly camp (WHO'S THAT GIRL?) or ponderous contrivance (GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS) as chilling drama (AT CLOSE RANGE) or compelling pulp (AFTER DARK, MY SWEET). This time, he's generally on the mark. He's got an appreciative, voyeuristic feel for teenagers (look at his 1984 directorial debut, RECKLESS, an archetypical young-teen-on-bike-gets-laid movie, for a similar pattern), and in FEAR, Alyssa Milano is particularly piquant as Witherspoon's slutty best friend. But Foley's always been a guy's director with a knack for getting performances from young leading men: Sean Penn, Aidan Quinn and Jason Patric have all done solid work with him, and he gets some real moments out of Wahlberg (who has since stunned the world with further evidence of acting talent starting with BOOGIE NIGHTS and culminating in an Oscar nomination for THE DEPARTED. Go figure!)So, sure, give in to FEAR for 90 minutes or so of cheap pleasure, but don't expect it to be anything more than what it looks like: a Mark Wahlberg movie. Which isn't so much to say that it sucks as to register surprise that there's as much good in it as there is.

Love this movie

My 18-year-old daughter enjoyed this read.

Talented actors and actresses did their best, respectfully humbly lovingly kindly storyline from what I got from it isn't it's strongest point but might be appealing pleasing entertaining to anyone...Kindest most humble loving regards,

Fear is a sort-of Fatal Attraction type thriller, though is not the classic that Fatal Attraction has become. Fear, however, is quite effective for what it is and though nothing about it is top-rate as far as a great Thriller goes, the combined package of what Fear offers still grabs hold of you and pulls you in for the ride.David McCall (Mark Wahlberg) catches the eye of Nicole Walker (Reese Witherspoon) and the pair hook up for an evening together after leaving a dance club. Nicole is practically shocked when the man she gets to know is much more than meets the eye, and her dreams seem to be coming true when she thinks she has found the perfect guy. The first half of Fear sets up a love story that is actually enjoyable to watch, as both David and Nicole fall for each other. I never felt the love story was ever very cheesy, especially when the "roller coaster experience" is quite original. David finally meets Nicole's family, and everyone is amazed at this perfect, handsome gentlemen. Everyone except Nicole's father, Steve (William Peterson) who just doesn't buy into it.All good things must come to an end....if it's too good to be true....etc etc...and here we go...David comes by Nicole's school on a typical afternoon to pick her up and witnesses her friend Gary hugging her. The kind and gentle David we thought we knew is suddenly transformed into a raging beast, knocking Gary to the ground and kicking the crap out of him. Smart Nicole thankfully doesn't want anything to do with David again. Regretting his mistake, David apologizes til it wears down Nicole. She gives David another chance, meanwhile outraging Steve. Thus begins the war between Steve and David, and eventually brining the enitre family into the mix.The last half of Fear is, well, Fear. The thrills and suspense begin. The final setting of the film is at the Walker residence, where David and his buddies won't rest until they bust inside and do the damage. Overall, it's a predictable finale, but the bits and pieces getting there are always fun and contain some surprise thrills.You might feel silly when you step out of the spotlight about Fear, cause its certainly not a masterpiece but its a fun ride nevertheless that effectively entertains. If you're looking for a good teenager love story that isn't cheesy follwed by a sudden turn for the worst in terms of thrills, Fear is worth checking out.Acting - 3.5Characters - 3.5Story - 3.5Suspense - 4Overall - 4

Saw this movie trending on Tik Tok. I loved it, very good movie.

I love this movie! 10/10 if you like Mark Walburg.

No words needed one of my faves! Young Wahlberg & very young Witherspoon - BEST! And an important message to teach your children! Younger generations please don’t give your security codes out, you never know what’s gonna happen with a significant other