Review of Scanners (1981) by Nate A — 30 May 2010

Scanners feels more like the shell of a better film that could have been realised if not for Cronenberg's trademark perversity; the great set design and makeup work (read: head-explosions) are wasted on an interesting yet undeveloped set of characters and themes.

Although the Bressonian "acting" performances are consistent with Cronenberg's anti-humanist rejection of interiority and identity, it makes for an overtly cerebral movie, which isn't the film's strong suit.

Scanner's visceral impact is diminished when you realise that there's no reason to care; the dystopian premise is paper-thin and the characters worse. Lacking any meaty thematic to wrestle with reduces Scanners to a typical B-grade sf horror film.

Cronenberg is at his best when he aggressively makes you think but in Scanners the "look at it!" moments fail to comprise a coherent whole. In short, entertaining and empty, like a night out on the town.