Movie Notes: Scanners
= 3 stars
Starring Michael Ironside, Patrick McGoohan, Stephen Lack
Directed by David Cronenberg
Synopsis
Cameron Vale (Stephen Lack) is a “scanner” who can read other people’s thoughts. He’s taken in by Dr. Paul Ruth (Patrick McGoohan) of ConSec, a corporation doing research on scanner capabilities. Meanwhile, powerful scanner Darryl Revok (Michael Ironside) sets his own nefarious plans in motion.
The Good
- Could be interpreted as a superhero movie without tights. The mutant scanners have amazing mental powers, and can even affect the physical world to some degree, but due to a rather cynical origin story, are driven toward ill purposes.
- Interesting take on corporate power, and corporate control over more than just physical inventions.
- Decent horror vibe, with some inventive, shocking scenes, notably the exploding head and a truly disturbing final showdown.
The Bad
- Cameron and Kim (a female scanner he inevitably teams up with) are rather one dimensional and uninspiring — especially considering all their cool powers.
- Lots of unrealized possibilities in Dr. Paul Ruth. I would have liked to have heard his entire back story in his words. As a result, it feels like the capable McGoohan is wasted.
- Occasionally ridiculous violence. Guns poking out of a van, a brain communicating up with a computer over a pay phone, and .
Conclusion
I haven’t completely made up my mind about Cronenberg. The core premise and story of Scanners is inventive and intriguing, but I didn’t care for the eventual destination and lack of humanity toward the actors. An okay rental.
IMDB: Scanners
Wikipedia: Scanners