Review of Scanners (1981) by Alex M — 22 Feb 2010

"We're gonna do this the scanner way.

I'm gonna suck your brain dry!".

As I revisit most of Cronenberg's early work, I realize this director truly deserves to be among my favorites. Scanners makes use of a highly original premise, not so much with the subject itself, but with the way it portrays it. Back in those days, it took something special to talk about ESP phenomena such as psychokinesis and telepathy the way Cronenberg did, shaping and adjusting it into a factual, scientific discussion.

Like most of this director's early work, Scanners relies on average acting, powerful message deliverance - social criticism is not unusual to find in his movies -, and shocking visual scenes that were sure to haunt you in those days.

The combination is, as usual, explosive.

Literally, in this case.

Again, this movie can definitely be recommendable if you get what I'm on about, and if you relate yourself with such a specific genre and way of directing.

This is not a horror movie. It's not a sci-fi movie either.

This between both.

It's a Cronenberg.

If you're happy with that, then Scanners is for you.

And you and I will get along just fine.

Hopefully.