Scanners (1981)

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 HALLOWEEN REVIEWS 2022


Writer / Director: David Cronenberg

Stars: Stephen Lack, Michael Ironside, Jennifer O'Neill, Patrick McGoohan, Lawrence Dane, Robert A. Silverman, Lee Broker



After learning that his mental problems are the result of uncontrolled telepathic and psychokinetic abilities, a vagrant (Stephen Lack) is enlisted in the effort to thwart a powerful “scanner” with a dangerous agenda (Michael Ironside). 



This is more of a sci-fi thriller than director David Cronenberg’s usual body horror, but the fluid boundaries between psychological and physical manifestations that are his hallmark are well represented. 



The iconic head blast in an early scene made this film an instant sensation when it was released in the early 80s.

 


The wooden Lack was an unfortunate choice for lead actor in a cast that is otherwise uniformly excellent, especially Ironside as Daryl Revok, a character with the kind of name you never encounter in the real world but always in David Cronenberg films.

 


The climax suffers a bit with its uneven attempt to physicalize a battle of the minds, but overall, this film is a big success.


Spoiler alert!!! The end of the movie!!

























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