Re-released for the first time in High Definition, Scanners is one of David Cronenberg’s most well known body-horrors, thanks largely to a shocking set piece special effect which is the very definition of mind-blowing.
The titular Scanners are human beings born with the power of telepathy – not, we’re told, just the ability to read minds per se – but the capacity to meld one’s nervous system to another person. This can be used for all sorts of purposes, from clairvoyance to hacking into and blowing up a computer via a phone box, in one of the film’s rather brash pseudo-science sequences.
It also turns out in can be used to murder people in the messiest way imaginable, though funnily enough the head-popping acts that Scanner’s is most famous for only happens the once. It remains a marvel of in-camera special effects, along with the astonishing final mind-duel between goody and baddy Scanners, Cameron Vale and Darryl Revok (a superlative bad-guy name if ever there was one).
Revok is played with all the scene-chewing majesty that we have come to expect from Michael Ironside, as he plots to overthrow humanity with an army of Scanners. Vale (Stephen Lack) is the outcast turned agent, who along with Dr. Ruth (The Prisoner’s Patrick McGoohan) attempt to thwart the nefarious deeds. If there’s a weak link here, it’s probably Stephen Lack, who’s emotionless delivery spoils scene after scene. He’s a bit of a damp squib when up against the practically frothing-at-the-mouth Ironside, and not the most convincing hero.
As is to be expected, the film looks great, creaking only a little with age. It’s B-movie vibes may feel a little jarring at times but it’s shot well and has some interesting ideas underneath it’s gore-encrusted shocks, dealing with faceless corporations and the ethics of experimentation.
Scanners spawned two sequels (also out on Blu Ray) which are notable for being entirely unconnected to David Cronenberg. The original’s new release does contain some interesting extras however, including the technique behind the infamous exploding head scene. Apparently it involves a 12-gauge shotgun and a latex head full of leftover McDonalds…
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