"Firestarter" - Review

Charlie McGee (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) has a dangerous powerful gift. Her father Andy (Zac Efron) has the power to "Push" people into doing things. On the run from sinister government agency "The Shop", headed by Captain Hollister (Gloria Reubens, bizarre but not unwelcome casting) and their sinister agent John Rainbird (Michael Greyeyes) - Andy must decide if he wants Charlie to control her increasingly dangerous powers...

The original "Firestarter" film has a fair few problems, so I'm not opposed to a remake in principle. The book is an underrated one in King's ouevre.
This film is perfectly acceptable.
That's it.
It has a phenomenal soundtrack, truly brilliant, done by John Carpenter. It's perfect for the tone of the book, and for this film it's the definite highlight. Ryan Kiera Armstrong nails Charlie, capturing the character very well in this slightly aged up version. Efron's alright too, he plays Andy McGee with the "dying inside" mentality we need from the protective father. Kurtwood Smith shows up as Dr Wanless, and there are some nice little nods to the book: he's found at the Pynchon Centre, we're introduced to Rainbird next to racks and racks of boots, and Irv Manders (John Beasely) gets the "$100 Bill" trick.
But the film just feels safe,, it never truly ignites. There is some gorgeous cinematography, and some spectacular neon drenched shots towards the end. It wants to feel like Mike Flanagan's "Doctor Sleep" (side note: PLEASE WATCH DOCTOR SLEEP) in parts, particularly at the scene involving a cat; the battle at the Manders Farm is underwhelming at best; and Captain Hollister (whilst an appearence of a "Timecop" alumnus is always welcome) is less a benign evil bureaucrat and more a generic evil mastermind ruler. The biggest change comes to Rainbird. Greyeyes does an admirable job in the part, but whilst parts of the changes should work on paper, it makes the movie muddled.
And the biggest disgrace is that there is STILL no O.J in this adaptation.