Phenomenon

1996 "Some things in life just can't be explained."
6.4| 2h3m| PG| en
Details

An ordinary man sees a bright light descend from the sky, and discovers he now has super-intelligence and telekinesis.

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Reviews

XoWizIama Excellent adaptation.
Beanbioca As Good As It Gets
MoPoshy Absolutely brilliant
Calum Hutton It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...
jacklyn_lo The protagonist, the average guy from the average place, had been affected by supernatural phenomena with an unknown origin.Physically, George (John Travolta) was staying absolutely the same, but the "phenomena" affected him internally and changed the world around him.The plot revealed such paranormal things as psychokinesis, super- fast learning, enormous operational power, fatigue-free, upgraded vision with understanding of things in depth, synergy with nature, etc.What I enjoyed the most: The story reveals that ALL THINGS have ENERGETIC origin and belong to the law of ENERGY. As such, everything could be observed, analysed, changed, etc. on the ENERGY level (widely used in the Ayurvedic medicine, PRANA-healing methodology; unfortunately unknown by most of the Western-world).The movie's watcher sees an amazing partnership of the protagonist with all things around.At the end of the movie, you will ask yourself if you would prefer to live a long but ordinary life or rather to enjoy the "phenomena" and have a very saturated but shorter existence as the protagonist did.Excellent movie!
nacuta Here's a good idea for a movie--I'm going to hire an actor who is a has been from dance movies from the seventies and eighties, who is known to be one of the worst actors in the modern era. Pair him with an actress who is a two dimensional actress with no ability whatsoever. Then I will make a movie that has enough material to fill a short and find a way to stretch it over a full feature film. Oh, wait, Phenomenon already did that. There is nothing in this movie worth watching. Travolta's character has this sense about things, he and Sedwick talk a lot, then you wake up on your couch a few hours later and realize the movie is over.
classicsoncall They say that the average person only uses about five percent of their available brain power. This film examines what might happen if one were to unleash the remaining ninety five percent. Actually, that could be a very scary thought, as we see what happens to George Malley (John Travolta) when he begins to develop a super-human learning ability and the power of telekinesis. So there's also the fear of the unknown thrown into the mix, as George's friends and neighbors are at first amazed and then wary of George's ability, as if he might possibly turn his powers against them.I generally don't remark on a film's IMDb rating, but this one is bafflingly low at 6.3 as I write this. Travolta and the supporting cast are quite competent in their roles, with Kyra Sedgwick valiantly walking that fine line of guarding against another hurtful relationship balanced against finding that special someone who she can open her heart to once again. For once a film capably tells it's story without resorting to the principals hitting the sack in an obligatory love scene.What I also liked about the film was the way George's true friends stuck by him through thick and thin. Nate (Forest Whitaker) and Doc (Robert Duvall) never wavered in their loyalty even if it meant going against some of the locals who were willing to throw George under the bus. All in all, this was a heartwarming film that tells it's story with a bit of whimsy on it's way to a life affirming message about achieving one's full potential.
manjodude I'm not sure how to classify this movie or whether I even should. Is it a scifi, romantic or a beautiful drama? Whatever be the genre, Phenomenon was touching & soulful.The lights that John Travolta's character experiences one night is open to interpretation and I prefer it that way. The mystery makes the movie all the more engaging & impressive to me.John Travolta(as George Malley) has given a heartfelt performance, many say, the best of his career. He was at ease in his role, being vulnerable, funny, intelligent, frustrated or even in love. The other actors who touch our hearts too are Robert Duvall(as Dr. Brunder), Forest Whitaker(as George's pal) and even the pretty Kyra Sedgwick(as John's crush, Lace) impresses.What I especially like about the movie is how the story still focuses more on the relationship between the character George and the others in the community after his life-changing experience one night that suddenly turns him into a gifted intellect. Otherwise, Phenomenon could have been just like any other superhero flick about Travolta saving the world with his bare hands or brain! The ending(final scene between George & Lace), I wish, could have been more effective. It came to an end a bit abruptly to me.Verdict: Adorable & romantic. What starts off like a scifi ends being a tale of genuine friendship, care and love.