"Usually the ghosts in movies have been exposed to something unjust which they need to deal with before they can move on."
And that is exactly what happened here. The three spirits couldn't rest easy because they believed they died wrongly. Remember, Vinnie saw little Jimmy pick up, pocket, and run off with their car key - leaving them stranded in their car with a train bearing down on them. In death, they believed they shouldn't have died.
Like SunsetWriter13 said, Wayne's death was clearly an accident. Yes, they were a gang of bullies, but in their minds, they were just picking on a couple of rich kids for amusement and some extra bucks. Goofing around, they accidently threw Wayne into Lawson's blade. It was a mistake. And judging by their faces, they knew it.
But I don't agree that they came back to kill Jimmy because they failed to the first time. Sure, their malicious spirits desired retribution now, but at the original event, I really don't think they were going to kill 8-year-old Jim just to keep him from pointing fingers at them. Intimidation, absolutely, but they weren't necessarily BAD kids; none of them struck me as cold-blooded murderers in their lifetime.
If you want to read further into their characters, I kinda felt sorry for them because they were probably from unstable homes. When he came back, Lawson made an attempt to explain something his old man used to do to him, and considering his overall demeanor, I can see Lawson as coming from a slightly abusive family. Vinnie's countenance said to me that he was brooding, resentful, and complex; watch him in moments where he isn't trying so hard to be the center of attention (he plays off leader-Lawson a lot) and he appears ... well, almost thoughtfully sadistic. I can see him in a single-mother household - take note that he is the only one of the three badasses not in leather (in other words, less money in the family). North, I think, was the only "normal" one; he was like their comic relief, almost, judging by his fake laugh used way too often. And then Mueller, the kid in overalls; says to me he gave up school for work.
Anyhow ...
In death, sure, they were intent on only harm. But that's what their spirits took to the grave with them, their final unfair moment and the person they felt was responsible for that.
I like to consider them spirits, not B-horror movie monsters. And I don't think you can say they have "powers". It's a supernatural event, and as far as I know, there really are no restrictions in the afterlife. Sure, they hadn't yet been judged, else they would have passed through Limbo instead of hanging onto the moment of their death for a chance to come back, but they were malicious and haunting Jim. The only people they killed off were those they needed to; remember, they couldn't enter the world of the living without sacrificing someone else, to take their place. They didn't kill any "innocent bystanders" besides the three they needed to; after that, they went for the people closely tied to the original event.
In a psychological way, they really weren't "invisible" but only able to be seen by either those who believe in otherworldly happenings, or those they chose to have see them. Which is why no one else saw the ghosts unless they were directly involved with the actions taking place.
My two cents anyways. :)
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beck-61
16 years ago
If you want to read further into their characters, I kinda felt sorry for them because they were probably from unstable homes. When he came back, Lawson made an attempt to explain something his old man used to do to him, and considering his overall demeanor, I can see Lawson as coming from a slightly abusive family.
I own the movie without subtitles and I can't figure out what he is saying in that scene. Can anyone help? (when Lawson is in Jim's class and he asks: why you keep staring at me mr Norman?-then he says this thing about his old man but I can't understand it) :\
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jrwbtw
16 years ago
Yeah, I couldn't exactly understand what Lawson was trying to say either. He doesn't get the chance before Mr. Norman cuts him off.
"You may not know it, but my old man...."
I figure Lawson was trying to play of Mr. Norman's shocked expression at seeing someone who resembled a person that killed his brother decades ago sitting in his hometown classroom. Perhaps Lawson would have said something like:
"You keep staring right at me, Mr. Norman. You may not know it, but my old man grew up here so maybe you're mistaking me for him. We look a hell of a lot alike. Maybe you went to school here together, since he'd be about your age."
Lawson is simply starting to play mind games with Mr. Norman, that's all. Mr. Norman, upon seeing Lawson is probably thinking to himself, "No Fng way! That guys a dead ringer for the punk that killed my brother! I'll never forget his face! This kid looks and acts just like him!"
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