Review of Split Second (1992) by Cc B — 16 Jan 2013

At the time of this film's release, the L.A. Riots struck causing this film to become a flop at the box office. In fact many films were taking a beating as well. As fast as it did enter the theaters, it went just as fast out of it due to it's unsuccessful box office debut for the summer. It did, however, create a small cult following for Rutger Hauer fans thanks to it's premiere on HBO. I remember seeing this film when I was a kid and my first impressions of it was that it scared the living shit out of me. Now when I see it I can't help but wonder why it did.

The film opens in the year 2008 during a global warming and rat crisis in London. The waters continually rise flooding out many of the roads and underground train stations. Best way around is by driving in dune buggy-like vehicles. To make matters worse, there's also a serial killer on the loose tearing out the hearts of it's victims. Not since Jack the Ripper has there been such a sadistic serial killer. However, this type of killer isn't exactly human. It's tall like Alien structure and claws could mean that it's from another planet. Or is it?

Harley Stone is a detective with one of those stereotypical burnt-out cop personalities. He wears a leather duster, shades and smokes cigars while spouting one-liners. He seeks revenge for the death of his partner which has also left himself scarred from the experience. A huge long scar on his left arm that somehow gives him a psychic connection with the creature he hunts.

Of course, every burnt out detective needs new sidekick and that's when Dick Durkin comes in. He becomes Stone's new partner and slowly he turns into the cigar smoking version of Stone himself after coming in contact with the creature as well. He's also very good with astrology and makes a discovery after him and Stone arrive at a crime scene. An astrological sign of Scorpio drawn in blood on the ceiling of one victim pin points another connection between Stone and the creature itself. They're both Scorpio's and have the same type of aggressive personalities when a new moon during the high tides arise. Their only distinction is that one kills people and the other just aggravates people.

The creature isn't shown much through out the film. It's only until the very last act where a "battle" takes place in the underground train station when we see it in all it's glory. It's creepy fucker too. Very similar to Alien of course, but I think it shares almost more in it's look with the monster of the film Forbidden World (Mutant) from 1982. The only special quality that this type of creature has is that it may or may not be Satan itself. The hearts of it's victims that it rips out are something that it collects. When it devours each heart, it absorbs the victims souls to take back to hell and therefore could be considered as one of Satan's soul collectors instead of just a typical Alien from outer space.

I was a bit disappointed by this film. It has a very nice tone. Dark, grim, raining. It's just that damn pacing which felt off at times. There were too many intentionally funny moments especially from the character Dick Durkin that bogged the film down and made it uneven. I didn't mind the limited budget restraints that had to deal with since the look of the film was doing it for me, but a few re-writes could've helped. There are a few notable actors in this film from Rutger Hauer, Pete Postlethwaite, Michael J. Pollack and even Kim Cattrall who has a brief topless shower scene.

Overall, it's sort of like Blade Runner meets Alien, but it's more like meets Predator 2 than anything else.