Regie:
David CronenbergDrehbuch:
David CronenbergKamera:
Mark IrwinMusik:
Howard ShoreBesetzung:
Stephen Lack, Patrick McGoohan, Jennifer O'Neill, Lawrence Dane, Michael Ironside, Robert A. Silverman, Géza Kovács, Fred Doederlein, William Hope (mehr)Inhalte(1)
Darryl Revok ist der Kopf der Untergrundbewegung Scanners, die die Weltherrschaft anstreben. Mit ihren telepatischen und telekinetischen Fähigkeiten kontrollieren sie die Gedanken ihrer Opfer und fügen ihnen enormen Schmerz zu, bis hin zum Tod. Cameron Vale ist ein junger Mann mit eben diesen todbringenden telepathischen Fähigkeiten, verursacht durch die Nebenwirkung eines Medikaments, das seine Mutter während der Schwangerschaft einnahm. Er gehört nicht Revoks Bewegung an, sondern wird von Doktor Paul Ruth rekrutiert, um den wahnsinnigen Darryl Revok ausfindig zumachen und auszuschalten. Es kommt zum Showdown: Zwei Scanners stehen sich hasserfüllt gegenüber, jeder ihrer Gedanken reißt Wunden in die Wangen des Anderen, lässt Adern schwellen und platzen und Augen verdampfen. (Verleiher-Text)
(mehr)Kritiken (7)
Viel Spaß für wenig Geld. Man muss nur David Cronenberg sein. Jetzt verstehe ich, wie er der Regisseur von Dead Zone wurde.
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Von der depressiven und beunruhigend dringenden Melodie bis zur wohl legendärsten Kopfexplosion in der Geschichte des Films deckt dieser klassische Horrorfilm viel ab. David Cronenberg beschreibt mit relativ distanzierter Haltung den mit Wendungen gewürzten Kampf seiner geheimen Organisationen, in deren Mitte ein naiver Infiltrator steht, der in eine seltsame Welt geworfen und genauso wie der Zuschauer manipuliert wird. Beim ersten Anschauen hatte ich etwas Probleme mit dem langsameren Tempo des Films, aber beim zweiten Mal hat es mich komplett mitgerissen. Ich habe jede einzelne Aufnahme förmlich verschlungen und der "Body Horror" von Cronenberg und all die praktischen Effekte haben mir ein Lächeln ins Gesicht gezaubert.
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The beginning was pretty good, but unfortunately, after half an hour it started to bore me. The twist elevated it to a slightly above-par level, but Cronenberg has impressed me more with other films. Here the director flies too low and the result is far below his potential. I’m quite looking forward to the remake that is in the works.
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The thought-provoking subject matter is held down by an overblown script and Cronenberg's incomprehensible restraint in explicit scenes. The scanning in front of the audience and the grand ending as if from an epic fable are not enough to stop me from dryly stating that the film was just plain boring. It’s a prime example of a film where rumors of exploding heads have created a phenomenon that falls short in reality.
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In Scanners, Cronenberg focuses on what has excited him since his debut: scientific research devoid of ethical barriers that can be dangerous to the whole world, and technologies that aim to "enhance" the mental and physical abilities of humans. The director is once again original, and provocative, and showcases himself in the position in which his fans have always loved him, that is, as a "deviant" with an exceptional talent for creating a unique atmosphere and unafraid to push the boundaries of the ordinary. The film deals with telepaths, who are the result of a side effect of a drug. Cronenberg views telepathy in the film as a direct connection between nervous systems and also as a flow of energy that is even compatible with computer data flow. In his interpretation, the Scanners are not only capable of influencing the behavior of the people they attack, but they can also physically destroy them and, following the example of cyberpunk, connect to computer systems without needing any connection. Scanners once had such an impact that the film required a (clearly weaker) sequel, and within Cronenberg's body of work, that film is among the more well-known. Personally, I remember most the presence of the prominent villain Michael Ironside in the role of the evil scanner Darryl Revok. Overall impression: 70%.
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Scanners is yet another cult classic from Cronenberg's early work, and it's definitely one of his best. Michael Ironside's portrayal of Darryl Revok is fantastic, though it's a shame we don't get to see more of him throughout the film. The movie's strongest points are its opening and, of course, the epic conclusion. I really have no major complaints. Cronenberg has such a unique style that when I encounter elements I don't particularly like, I try to understand his vision rather than wishing they were different. It's Cronenberg, and his films are meant to be appreciated for what they are.
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To be honest, I think Scanners is one of the weakest films Cronenberg has made. It has all the elements that his filmography can boast of, but these signature elements are placed on a clichéd framework that fails to surprise in any way. Even though there are still strong elements, characters that can captivate you, and a final twist that does hit, it’s not a film that takes your breath away. Cronenberg here holds back a bit and doesn’t stand out as much. Favoring repetitive principles isn’t quite ideal.
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