Review of Scanners (1981) by Jeffery H — 21 Mar 2009
It has literally been decades since I had last seen this. So much so that all I could recall from this film going in was the iconic head explosion and the mental "rap battle-go for broke" ending (both of which make a strong case AGAINST the overuse of CGI due to their great levels of success).
It was wonderful to dip back into the pre-Fly/pre-Dead Ringer days of Cronenberg, but the things I let pass as a kid came rising to the surface of unacceptability this time around. The acting has much to be desired, though I'm sure Cronenberg had fun at the auditions ("Pretend you have the worst migraine EVER..aaaaaaaaand GO!"). The plot stumbles in parts and doesn't carry the effective punch in places where I felt it should have.
But what can I say? The premise of killing people with your mind to the point of physical destruction is still a very interesting one to me. And thus far, SCANNERS has been the most successful at it.
This review of Scanners (1981) was written by Jeffery H on 21 Mar 2009.
Scanners has generally received positive reviews.
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