Scanners (1981): Mind-Blowing Mayhem
Scanners is a flick from 1981 and it’s directed by David Cronenberg — yeah, that guy. The one who makes movies where people’s heads explode, their skin melts, and their sex lives involve insects. Real romantic, huh? Ohhhh!
Now Scanners, this ain’t your typical Saturday night date movie unless you’re into telepathy and head-popping psychic warfare. The hero Cameron Vale is a loner, a drifter, who finds out he’s a Scanner, which means he can hear your thoughts and mess with your head… literally.
Cameron starts off homeless and confused, hearing voices in his head. Stephen Lack, the guy who played Cameron, brought this weird, twitchy vibe that worked perfect. He looked constipated and telepathic at the same time. Next thing you know, he’s recruited by this shady company called ConSec, and they want him to help hunt down this other Scanner — a total maniac named Darryl Revok.
Revok is played by Michael Ironside. Perhaps the baddest villain you ever saw. That guy’s voice is so intense, it could make your grandma confess to crimes she didn’t commit. This guy’s got the brain of a genius and the attitude of a New York cabbie in rush hour. He’s building a scanner army to take over the world. Ironside as Revok is full psycho, and it’s amazing.
Now here’s the thing about this movie — it’s got one of the greatest special effects moments in horror movie history. There’s this scene, and I ain’t spoiling nothing — but it involves a head, some staring, and BOOM! Instant oatmeal, baby! The FX guy, Dick Smith, he was a freaking wizard. You look at it today and it still holds up better than most marriages in Hollywood.
Scanners ain’t just some B-movie with a bang; it’s a cult classic that Cronenberg wrote on the fly. Literally writing the script, while filming the movie. No wonder this twisted little gem doesn’t need or have a sequel. Still not seen it, what are you afraid of ?
