This movie really is a decent horror flick, especially given its low budget and some inexperienced players. I found it interesting in both its original and Mystery Science Theater 3000 versions, for different reasons. The original is good for suspense; the MST3K version is good for humor.
As a straight film, it has an intriguing premise and a good level of suspense. Vivian Schilling makes a good heroine (and is definitely easy on the eyes). Gregg Thomsen is a bit whiny as the reformed bad-boy. Joe Estevez is quite menacing as The Man, AKA the eponymous Soultaker. (The creepiest character, in my opinion, must remain unnamed to avoid spoilers.) There are a few plot oddities, but they're actually not as bad as most big-production horror movies I've seen. It does make more sense uncut, as suggested by other reviewers. Some scenes omitted from the MST3K version (before and during Summerfest, at the convenience store, and Zach, Natalie, and Mrs. McMillan at the McMillan home) are important to understand all that's going on. On the other hand, some of the foreshadowing (the news reports, the policemen's scenes) make it too easy to see where things are going, so I found them less interesting. (I don't like to be spoon-fed solutions to mysteries.) The "R" rating probably comes from the drug references, an important plot point in the relationship between Natalie and Zach that got short shrift in MST3K. The Summerfest band, which I really liked, gets a bit more time in the original, and the soundtrack put me in a good '80s nostalgic mood. All in all, the original "Soultaker" beats the heck out of many horror films I've seen in recent years. I give it ***1/2 for story and suspense.
The MST3K version is quite entertaining as comedy. The movie retains some of its suspense, but the excellent riffs really make it more funny than scary. The time cuts to fit the movie into a MST3K episode don't really add much to the main plot confusion (contrary to several other reviewers' statements), but do make the subplots less clear. (That's what motivated me to rent the original). The running jokes about Tonya Harding, Joe Estevez, and Vivian Schilling's dual role as writer and actress, along with many other clever quips, make for an excellent MST3K episode. I give it **** for the running jokes and many dead-on riffs.
I'd recommend both versions for viewing. It's better to see the uncut version first, so you can enjoy the original story and then the silly stuff without distraction, but the other way works too. By the way, the reviewers who rag on the MST3K version seem more interested in insulting MST3K fans than giving a credible review of either version of this worthy movie. See them both!
As a straight film, it has an intriguing premise and a good level of suspense. Vivian Schilling makes a good heroine (and is definitely easy on the eyes). Gregg Thomsen is a bit whiny as the reformed bad-boy. Joe Estevez is quite menacing as The Man, AKA the eponymous Soultaker. (The creepiest character, in my opinion, must remain unnamed to avoid spoilers.) There are a few plot oddities, but they're actually not as bad as most big-production horror movies I've seen. It does make more sense uncut, as suggested by other reviewers. Some scenes omitted from the MST3K version (before and during Summerfest, at the convenience store, and Zach, Natalie, and Mrs. McMillan at the McMillan home) are important to understand all that's going on. On the other hand, some of the foreshadowing (the news reports, the policemen's scenes) make it too easy to see where things are going, so I found them less interesting. (I don't like to be spoon-fed solutions to mysteries.) The "R" rating probably comes from the drug references, an important plot point in the relationship between Natalie and Zach that got short shrift in MST3K. The Summerfest band, which I really liked, gets a bit more time in the original, and the soundtrack put me in a good '80s nostalgic mood. All in all, the original "Soultaker" beats the heck out of many horror films I've seen in recent years. I give it ***1/2 for story and suspense.
The MST3K version is quite entertaining as comedy. The movie retains some of its suspense, but the excellent riffs really make it more funny than scary. The time cuts to fit the movie into a MST3K episode don't really add much to the main plot confusion (contrary to several other reviewers' statements), but do make the subplots less clear. (That's what motivated me to rent the original). The running jokes about Tonya Harding, Joe Estevez, and Vivian Schilling's dual role as writer and actress, along with many other clever quips, make for an excellent MST3K episode. I give it **** for the running jokes and many dead-on riffs.
I'd recommend both versions for viewing. It's better to see the uncut version first, so you can enjoy the original story and then the silly stuff without distraction, but the other way works too. By the way, the reviewers who rag on the MST3K version seem more interested in insulting MST3K fans than giving a credible review of either version of this worthy movie. See them both!