Directed by:
David CronenbergScreenplay:
David CronenbergCinematography:
Mark IrwinComposer:
Howard ShoreCast:
Stephen Lack, Patrick McGoohan, Jennifer O'Neill, Lawrence Dane, Michael Ironside, Robert A. Silverman, Géza Kovács, Fred Doederlein, William Hope (more)Plots(1)
Darryl Revok (Michael Ironside, Total Recall) is a rogue 'scanner' of unparalleled power with an insatiable thirst for control. Leader of an underground association, Revok wages war against the 'normals' to claim his prize of world domination - his telekinesis a passive-aggressive weapon of the most dangerous and deadly kind. Self-induced 'empath' Cameron Vale (Stephen Lack, Dead Ringers) is on the verge of insanity, struggling to cope with the powers that define his existence. With his propinquity to the subject, Vale is recruited by Dr Paul Ruth (Patrick McGoohan, Danger Man) and tasked to track Revok down before any more damage is done. With the uncanny ability to read minds and lock into the human nervous system, Revok sets out to prove himself a formidable exponent - literally blowing people's minds in the process. (Umbrella Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (7)
The beginning was pretty good, but unfortunately, after half an hour it started to bore me. The twist elevated it to a slightly above-par level, but Cronenberg has impressed me more with other films. Here the director flies too low and the result is far below his potential. I’m quite looking forward to the remake that is in the works.
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The thought-provoking subject matter is held down by an overblown script and Cronenberg's incomprehensible restraint in explicit scenes. The scanning in front of the audience and the grand ending as if from an epic fable are not enough to stop me from dryly stating that the film was just plain boring. It’s a prime example of a film where rumors of exploding heads have created a phenomenon that falls short in reality.
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In Scanners, Cronenberg focuses on what has excited him since his debut: scientific research devoid of ethical barriers that can be dangerous to the whole world, and technologies that aim to "enhance" the mental and physical abilities of humans. The director is once again original, and provocative, and showcases himself in the position in which his fans have always loved him, that is, as a "deviant" with an exceptional talent for creating a unique atmosphere and unafraid to push the boundaries of the ordinary. The film deals with telepaths, who are the result of a side effect of a drug. Cronenberg views telepathy in the film as a direct connection between nervous systems and also as a flow of energy that is even compatible with computer data flow. In his interpretation, the Scanners are not only capable of influencing the behavior of the people they attack, but they can also physically destroy them and, following the example of cyberpunk, connect to computer systems without needing any connection. Scanners once had such an impact that the film required a (clearly weaker) sequel, and within Cronenberg's body of work, that film is among the more well-known. Personally, I remember most the presence of the prominent villain Michael Ironside in the role of the evil scanner Darryl Revok. Overall impression: 70%.
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Great value for money, you just need to be David Cronenberg. Now I understand he was hired to direct The Dead Zone.
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From the depressing and disturbingly suspenseful score to perhaps the most legendary and iconic head explosion effect scene in movie history, this classic horror movie covers a lot of ground. David Cronenberg, with a seemingly cold distance, lays out a twist-filled battle between two secret organizations, with a naive infiltrator in the middle of it all, who is sucked into a strange world and manipulated just like the audience itself. On first viewing, I had a bit of a problem with the slow pace of the movie, but on second viewing I was taken aback, I loved every single shot, the Cronenberg style of "body horror" plus all those practical effects managed to put a smile on my face.
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Scanners is yet another cult classic from Cronenberg's early work, and it's definitely one of his best. Michael Ironside's portrayal of Darryl Revok is fantastic, though it's a shame we don't get to see more of him throughout the film. The movie's strongest points are its opening and, of course, the epic conclusion. I really have no major complaints. Cronenberg has such a unique style that when I encounter elements I don't particularly like, I try to understand his vision rather than wishing they were different. It's Cronenberg, and his films are meant to be appreciated for what they are.
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To be honest, I think Scanners is one of the weakest films Cronenberg has made. It has all the elements that his filmography can boast of, but these signature elements are placed on a clichéd framework that fails to surprise in any way. Even though there are still strong elements, characters that can captivate you, and a final twist that does hit, it’s not a film that takes your breath away. Cronenberg here holds back a bit and doesn’t stand out as much. Favoring repetitive principles isn’t quite ideal.
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