Hot Wired!

bsmith5552

"Pulse" is a different kind of horror movie. In it the villain is a pulse of electricity crested by a lightning strike that moves from house to house over the power lines.

Bill (Cliff DeYoung) and Ellen (Roxanne Hart) are a typical American couple replete with Corvette Sting Ray, living in an up scale Los Angeles neighborhood. One night they witness the neighbor across the street apparently going mad within his home. Following the incident, we see that the interior of the home has been totally destroyed.

The next day, Bill's son David (Joey Lawrence) from a previous marriage, arrives to spend the summer with his dad. He is uncomfortable with his surroundings after being told of the incident across the street. Along with neighbor's kid Stevie (Matthew Lawrence) David sneaks into the closed up housevto see for himself what damage has occurred. He is confronted by a mysterious old man Charles Tyner) who warns him of the immanent danger to the neighborhood.

Later, David is left alone in their house while Bill and Ellen go out for the evening. Strange things begin to happen. The TV's innards are fried while David is watching a ball game and unusual noises are heard through out the house. Bill and Ellen also begin to experience unusual noises and happenings when they return.

Davis gets trapped in the garage when all exits are blocked by an unknown source. The hydro worker is unable to explain the cause of the electrical "problems". As the family continues to experience weird events, Ellen is scalded in the shower when she is unable to escape the suddenly hot water. Taken to the hospital, David and Bill are offered refuge by a neighbor Howard (Myron Healy.

That night, Bill sneaks out and goes back to his home to investigate. David sees him and follows. Bill goes to the basement and is trapped when the exit door is blocked. He is knocked out when struck by a flying object. David, meanwhile, searches the upstairs and becomes cornered by a spreading fire and ...................

The special effects in this film are very good. Flying appliances and exploding TVs and electrical outlets are quite well done and the electrical pulses moving through the power lines is realistic looking.

Joey and Matthew Lawrence are brothers. I was delighted to see an old favorite Myron Healey in a small role years after he was a prominent "B" western villain.

score 7/10

bsmith5552 8 July 2020

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5890563/