Review of Scanners (1981) by Gareth B — 25 Oct 2010
Above anything else, Scanners is a really silly film. The idea is silly, the acting is silly, and the special effects are even sillier. Nonetheless, it is usually entertaining throughout its length, although the pacing and direction of the plot are usually incomprehensible.
In summation, one mental telepath is tasked with tracking down and destroying another. Patrick McGoohan is definitely the best thing going for this film, and the second best thing is an infamous exploding head.
David Cronenberg always likes to shock people, and I think the main purpose of the film was just that, rather than to educate or inform us, which are secondary interests. This seems like one of those films where the initial idea was good, but actually getting a story down on paper was tricky.
Worth watching for the exploding head, and Patrick McGoohan, but not a lot else.
This review of Scanners (1981) was written by Gareth B on 25 Oct 2010.
Scanners has generally received positive reviews.
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