Search - Guardian (1990) (Ws) on DVD

Silly, but quite enjoyable horror thriller.

Eric | 09/04/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I always enjoy a good splatter flick and while I wouldn't necessarily call The Guardian a "good" film, it sure as hell is an entertaining one. The plot's pretty silly, with Jenny Seagrove as Camilla, a newly hired caretaker of a young couple's (Dwier Brown and Cary Lowell) infant son. Camilla appears to be the perfect nanny, sweet and loving, but actually, she's a Druid who needs the baby to prolong her immortal life, or something to that effect (the movie really didn't explain too much, and if you think I gave anything away by mentioning her as a Druid, the opening subtitles already state that info). She's also got a weird relationship with a big tree in the forest.The film's got a lot of stupidity here and there, especially the young couple, who don't bother checking Camilla's references before hiring her, or the fact that this caretaker happens to be able to move around so many residences freely without too much suspicion (okay, for a while, at least). And considering the fact Camilla's a Druid, where'd she get this tree? This is set in L.A., not Europe. As I said before, not much is answered, and I guess I should be grateful because I can't imagine any answers that wouldn't delve the material into further silliness.But I credit director William Friedkin for handling all this with a straight face. Some of this stuff (particularly the scenes with the tree) could have been played as camp, but I'm rather glad Friedkin plays this seriously and, as he did with The Exorcist, he manages to craft some truly suspenseful and frightening moments here. Still, the film does slide into scenes that simply can't be taken very seriously; you'll know what I mean when you see the chainsaw scene near the end of the movie.Unlike The Exorcist, he shows no restraint with violence, preferring to give us several enjoyably gory death scenes and a LOT of blood spattering everywhere. There's also a decent amount of nudity present, courtesy of the rather lovely Jenny Seagrove. She's not quite as effective a horror villainess as, say, Mathilda May in Lifeforce, but gets the job done. Dwier Brown and Cary Lowell are okay, a little flat during some scenes and certainly not aided by a script that makes them act like idiots, but are convincing enough as caring and concerned parents.Surprisingly very little music is used, with Friedkin trying to use the sounds of the wind and other such natural elements to create goosebumps. It's a good attempt, and while it works during two very lengthy, suspenseful sequences, he's still no M. Night Shyamalan. Considering the rather negative critical response The Guardian received, it's easy to see why Friedkin hasn't made a genre film since. But I enjoyed almost every minute of it would recommend it to horror fans seeking a quick-paced, gory thriller."

An Strong Fantasy Horror Film.

LUCIEN LESSARD | Canada. | 05/12/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Director William Friedkin, he`s known for must films, he`s has directed, all different kind of films like:The French Connection(1971), The very popular horror film-The Exorcist(1973), Made for T.V. remake-12 Angry Men(1997) and the just recently box office hit-Rules Of Engagement(2000). This was his second horror since The Exorcist. Today-The Guardian is a film, many people, don`t remember, what the film about.About a mysterious nanny named Camilla(Jenny Seagrove-She gives a strong performance), she look after new born babies for a living and older child, also. Then a yuppie couple, just move for new jobs in L.A., then his wife:Kate(Carey Lowell), told his husband, she`s expecting a baby. her husband:Phil(Dwier Brown-He`s a good actor) is thrill by his wife news. Then nine months later, after she had her baby boy. She doesn`t want to miss work at her job. They call a Guardian Agency, if they a nanny right a way. They hired Camilla from different interview with different nanny. They liked Camilla immediately, she`s lives with them. Phil has some vision about the nanny, is not, what she appear to be. Some Excellent Production Designs(My favorite is the bizarre tree), a lot of good scares, some very strong horror scenes, strong make-up effects and special effects and good performances from the three leads. Well directed by Friedkin, he also co-wrote the screenplay-based on a novel by Dan Greenberg. The novel is called the nanny.Carey Lowell, she known for the long running NBC T.V. show-Law and Order. Another film credit like-License To Kill and Fierce Creatures. She Married to Richard Gere and they a kid together.Watch for a very small roles, including:Miguel Ferrer(Robo Cop, Stephen King`s The Stand, Hot Shots Part Deux!), Theresa Randle(Beverly Hills Cop 3, Spike Lee`s Girl Six, Spawn) and Xander Berkeley(Candy Man, Air Force One).Disowned by Universal Studios, giving the rights to Anchor Bay Entertainment to Re-relase on Video and the first time on DVD. DVD version, include the first time on a Widescreen Presentation 1.85:1 Format and Pan and Scan Version. Best Extra:Audio Commentary by Director William Friedkin and Dennis Bartok. Grade:A-."

THIS MOVIE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!

LUCIEN LESSARD | 05/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw the movie on the Sci-Fi Channel. It is about a beautiful, seemingly sweet, perfect woman to take care of a yuppie couple's baby son. But what they don't suspect is that the woman is a Druid witch who gives babies to a life-giving tree to insure her own immortality. The couple soon find out her secret from another couple whose own daughter diappeared in her care. The couple race against time to save their son from the witch. Articulate, cunning, perfectly timed, suspenseful-This movie ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Well it is entertaining....

Calle | 07/23/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The movie starts with a text about druids who worshipped trees and sacrificed human victims to them. After that there is a prologue where a family's nanny does this. Then we get to know the heroes of the movie, Phil and kate, just moved to Los Angeles and expecting a baby. After the baby boy is born, they find Camilla, who seems to be the perfect nanny. But under the charming surface lies a dark secret... You figure out the rest... This movie is occasionally a little silly and without the info about the druids in the beginning, the story wouldn't make much sense. But that doesn'r matter. The Guardian is a nice and entertaining movie. A sequence in the middle of the movie and the ending are especially good. Jenny Seagrove is very good as Camilla. While not a masterpiece, this is an entertaining movie, definitely worth watching and a fun addition to your movie collection."