[Blu-Ray] FILM REVIEW: Scanners

Scanners - Second Sight Limited Edition 4K Blu Ray Release Review

Director: David Cronenberg

Starring: Stephen Lack, Michael Ironside, Jennifer O'Neill, Patrick McGoohan, Lawrence Dane

Written by: David Cronenberg

Produced by: Claude Héroux

Cinematography by: Mark Irwin

Original Score by: Howard Shore

Synopsis:

A scientist trains a man with an advanced telepathic ability called "scanning" to stop a dangerous Scanner with extraordinary psychic powers from waging war against non scanners.

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Thoughts:

Probably David Cronenberg's best and most accomplished film of his career at the time of release, 'Scanners' helped to mold the template for telepathic horror, a sub-genre that would come and go fairly regular in various forms throughout the 80s and 90s and even make a monumental impact on modern society with 'Stranger Things' in 2016. It's a bit like Cronenberg's sinister version of the Jedi mind trick from 'Star Wars'. But 'Scanners' goes one step further and as with most of Cronenberg's features, the blood and gore and practical effects take over and he will always create scenes that leave the viewer shocked by the end credits.

Michael Ironside stars as Darryl Revok, a powerful and dangerous telepath labelled as a "scanner" who is wanted by a mysterious group known as ConSec. This group needs to find and apprehend Revok as soon as possible because the scanner has plans to use his special abilities in unison with other scanners to take over the world. To do this successfully, they abduct and hire Cameron Vale (Stephen Lack) a homeless man with similarily deadly telepathic abilities who they train to track down Revok with the hope that he can defeat him. Vale is a troubled drifter who hears voices but is unaware of his powers.

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While there are certainly lots of horror elements to the film, with the innovative practical effects being a huge standout, it is essentially a dark paranoid thriller about ill advised scientific experiments and corporate agendas and it seems that Cronenberg has tapped into his love of Marvel Comics for inspiration but put his own twisted spin on it. This was also the early 80s when political landscapes around the world were changing and conspiracy theories were really beginning to rear their head to the public. DTC pharmaceuticals became the norm. There was a societal uneasiness and some dark truths about the government were unveiled. Cronenberg used that.

Watching his 4K restoration is like rewatching 'Scanners' for the first time. The sound is impeccable, really highlighting Howard Shore's weird genius and the crisp visuals annunciate the futuristic imagery and grisly make-up effects by the legendary Dick Smith (The Exorcist) and Chris Walas (Gremlins) the latter of whom is interviewed as part of the fascinating and insightful Special Features.

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Ironside steals the film with his otherworldy intensity while Lack whimpers as the reluctant hero. The pacing isn't quite there and the characters don't necessarily feel complete but this is a film that is really all about the cutting edge story that lives and dies by it's incredible visuals and iconic scenes. Anybody who watches it will never ever forget the head exploding scene or the epic final battle of minds, literally a combustion on screen. There's something quite Shakespearean about Revok and Vale's clash.

A stalwart of 80s science fiction horror 'Scanners' is an unforgettable experience, ahead of it's time that is essentially responsible for introducing Michael Ironside to the world. That alone should be enough to hold it on a pedestal.

Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

-Gavin Logan

'Scanners' Limited Edition 4K UHD/BluRay & Standard Edition 4k/BluRay are released on March 31st. Available to BUY now from Second Sight Films www.secondsightfilms.co.uk