Firestarter (1984) - Cheesy but the practical effects still hold up!

Okay, so I rewatched Firestarter (1984) last night and, yeah, it's definitely a product of its time. The acting is... uh... uneven, let's say. And Tangerine Dream's score? Sometimes it works, sometimes it feels like it's from a completely different movie, haha. But honestly, what keeps me coming back are the practical effects. Specifically, anything involving the fire itself is pretty impressive, especially for a movie this old. The scene where Charlie sets the stable on fire is actually quite well done, with the flames spreading realistically and the stunt work looking pretty dangerous (in a good way!). I'm a sucker for seeing the raw flames in the scene rather than a CGI fire. Also, the effects when she really starts to lose control? The melting faces and distorted bodies? Yikes! Maybe it's just the nostalgia talking, but I think they nailed the horror aspects of her power. They really sell the idea that channeling that much firepower takes a physical and mental toll. I will say though, and this is just a small detail, what was up with the sound design in some of the quieter moments? There's this weird sort of echo-y reverb that doesn't always feel intentional, and it becomes distracting. Maybe it's just my setup, but I feel like it's more noticeable now that I'm paying closer attention to audio engineering. Still, gotta give it to Drew Barrymore, she plays a good child actress. The story is a little predictable, but there are some great scenes.