It kills many people, the survivors suffer from radiation poisoning. Over a year most of them die too. But 13 survive.
The 13 become known as the Rochester 13 and have developed strange powers.
28 years pass, and the Rochester 13 are long gone. Some have had children, their powers passed down to them.
Ian Sparks (Chase Williamson) doesn't feel he has any powers, but after his parents died in an accident when he was young he decides to fight crime anyway.
He falls in love with Lady Heavenly (Ashley Bell), a fellow crimefighter and becomes her new partner.
But of course, something goes wrong.
Someone named Matanza (William Katt) is going around killing people. And as the crime fighting pair get close, Sparks is knocked out cold. Heavenly survives, but blames everything on Sparks.
We join the story as Sparks is recounting this tale to a news journalist so he can clear his name. He's been framed for murder, and he isn't too happy about it.
Along the way we meet some wonderful characters played by some wonderful actors:
Clint Howard plays the news journalists boss.
Clancy Brown as Archer, a cop who recruits Sparks to track down who is responsible for Sparks' parents death.
Larry Cedar who mostly does bit parts but has a great back catalogue.
Of course many others, some who are sons and daughters of the Rochester 13.
And of course Jake Busey, playing Sledge, Lady Heavenly's ex partner.
Does that man ever age?
Jake Busey seriously looks younger and better now than he did back in 1996's 'The Frighteners'.
I haven't actually read the book, I can't find it anywhere. And to be honest that's a shame as the film is pretty bloody good. And as you should know, the book is normally better than the film in this business.
Obviously the main mystery is to figure out who this Matanza killer is, if he's the Ring Master Jesus from years before, or someone new, and what his relationship is with the main characters of the story.
(SPOILERS)
The answer you're already thinking of is right. Yes, yes he is the same killer.
But even though that's painfully obvious, it doesn't take anything away from the story, and it even has quite an interesting twist toward the end I didn't guess.
Unfortunately the only place the film suffers is in budget. The graphics used are terrible.
From a flipping and burning car to one of Sparks new friends fire powers, to well, the backgrounds of places.
It's one of those looks real but cgi helped type things.
I do wish it had a bigger budget. This film would've fit right in at the Cinema.
Now on to SPECIAL FEATURES on the DVD:
- Behind the Scenes (3:30 mins) - An obvious look behind the scenes of the film with the brilliant William Katt.
- Dave Hanson Outtake - A quick funny outtake of Dave Hanson, who plays a small part in the film.
- Audio Commentary - An audio commentary with Todd Burrows, one of the producers and co-director, William Katt, Chris Folino (the other director). This is obviously the best special feature as I always see audio commentary's as of more behind the scenes but where the people doing the commentary can be more free and not act as if it's an interview. The three speak about casting, ways characters were portrayed in different lights to the book, doing Mr Krabs from Spongebob Squarepants imitations and much more.
In all, including special features:
8/10.
This is a super movie of an anti-hero that definitely stands on it's own two feet.
You can pre-order the Blu-Ray here and the DVD here.