The Science Fiction Gallery - Phenomonem

John Travolta stars in this interesting and at time touching film about a stand up guy who suddenly winds up with this incredible power to think and learn. In addition, he discovers he can do a little telekenisis, you know, the ability to move things with one's mind.

Travolta brings his caring, warm-hearted role play to this film, and it is nearly "a chick movie" as our teenage boys would say. The usual (thanks hollywood for being so predictable) government conspiracy invades the young man's life. But when they realize they simply can't control the guy at all, they let him go (now it makes a good story, but a real government consipiracy in the normal hollywood style would be to kill 'em painfully and with great predjudice!).

A romantic interlude and a rather amazing episode where he must learn the Portuguese language in no time at all to save a sick worker bring some great opportunities for Travolta to show his range of acting, and the story benefits too. We get to see the character's progression from self centered and super egghead to humanitarian. Soon he is lecturing kids on what they need to do to better themselves, and eventually does a stand up lecture to the whole town at a fair, trying to humanize himself and what he does.

All in all, we liked the picture and give it three stars. Travolta's range of acting skills are barely touched, yet he shows us enough to convince us he is well off in his climb to greatness, once again.

scifi@mcint.com
Last Updated: June, 1997