Review of Trancers 4: Jack of Swords (1994) by Paul C — 18 Apr 2008

The reason I'm giving this film three stars is because it's so bad, it's good. I just cannot bring myself to shun this episodic sci-fi series.

Tim Thomerson is a fine B-movie star, who became an icon of the genre as soon as he walked on the screen in the original. However, the sequels are not quite on par with the first film, although that doesn't mean they're all unwatchable.

In my opinion, Trancers 4 took a big risk for a big reward by taking Jack Deth out of his element, and trying something different. Hell, every franchise has to reinvent itself in order to continue, right?

The first three films had a detective noir mood to them, whereas this one (and part 5) have Jack on the run from vampiric trancers called Nobles in another world, far far away.

While it's more or less a forgettable movie ride for the majority of viewers, you still can't help but root for underdog Deth and his merry band of helpers, as flimsy as they are.

Being a low budget flick, you don't get any A grade special effects or a deeper meaning. All it is is a fun film, that barely runs an hour and a half. As a matter of fact, its sequel "Sudden Deth" is criminally short as well, which makes me wonder why they didn't just edit them together as one movie. I guess this tactic was accepted in the nineties, since so many others followed suit.

Not a bad entry, if you are in the mood. But part 5 marks the last of the real Trancers magic, before it was brought back in Trancers 6.