Review of Scanners (1981) by Anthony M — 20 May 2010

David Cronenberg is the master of sci-fi horror! My first look into his work was Videodrome a few months ago which I found surprisingly enjoyable despite its surreal nature. Another Cronenberg's sci-fi attempts is his earlier film, Scanners.

Based on telepathic and telekinetic abilities, Scanners are a minority who pose a threat to mankind. With their abilities, they can cause physical and mental harm to anyone, as well as being able to see into the mind. A rebel organisation is being formed by Darryl Revok (Michael Ironside), who wants to unite all of the Scanners and fight to gain ultimate power over everyone. ConSec, a weapon and security firm are studying Scanners and when they capture Cameron Vale (Stephen Lack), they use him to try and infilrate Revok's organisation but there is more in store for Vale.

Firstly, lets face it...it's a fairly insane concept and you definitely have to take this film for what it is, a ridiculous 80's horror. Don't come expecting a masterpiece in tension and horror because well, it isn't. It's more funny than it is scary and I'm not entirely sure if this was what Cronenberg wanted it to be.

The performances were below average, there was some terrible acting in this but if I'm honest, it does more for the movie than it would of if it had serious actors, acting serious. What was probably best about this film was the special effects and the films pacing. It never lets up in either department. The infamous head exploding scene was amazing and one I replayed a few times just to bask in its awesomeness and I was never ever bored through-out this film, with its twists and turns it really was a fun film to watch.

One film I think more people would of seen is Predator and I feel this film shares the same sort of genre as it. It's funny and highly enjoyable but usually for all the wrong reasons and I hope Cronenbergs intentions were for the film to not take itself too seriously because if he did, then he succeeded. Scanners is a very fun film and surprisingly, one of my favourites of the horror genre. I just think Cronenberg has a gifted talent for creating outrageous, laid back horror films.