Trancers
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Movie Reviews of Trancers
Movie Review: from the future comes Deth . . .
Summary: 3 Stars
Representative of a certain segment of science fiction/horror films from the era, Trancers (1985) is campy, heavily atmospheric, fun, B movie. Featuring looks at the underside of Los Angeles, including the punk scene, Chinatown, and the skid row district, the action is often punctuated by a pulsing, spacey, `Tangerine Dreamish' soundtrack. The special effects are rather modest, the fights are kind of lame, and the main villain, a pretty boy without much gravitas. What makes the film work is the hero's deadpan straightforward approach to his mission, and an engaging performance, by the adorable Helen Hunt (Mad About You).
Time travel involves the administering of a drug, which allows the traveler to go back, and occupy the body of a familial ancestor. Trooper Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) is a law enforcement officer from the 23rd century, sent back to Los Angeles in the year 1985, to locate a criminal known as Martin Whisper (Michael Stefani), who is occupying the body of an LA police detective named Weisling. Whisper has strange psychic powers, which enable him to take control of a person's mind. His victims are known as trancers, and their help, Whistler/Weisling has begun eliminating the ancestors of key government officials from the future. Part of Deth's mission, is to try and save the lives of two remaining ancestors.
Trancers look like normal people, but Deth has the ability to recognize them. Before heading into the past, Deth is given doses of antidote, which permit a return to the future, and a special `long second' watch, that elongates time. Deth assumes the identity of his ancestor Phil Deth, arriving in his LA apartment, where a girl named Leena (Helen Hunt), has just spent the night. It's the Christmas season, and Leena has a job as a Santa's helper at a mall. Santa turns out to be a trancer, and tries to strangle Deth, who is forced to kill him.
From here it's the fairly typical, hero on a mission, while girl falls in love with hero, story. Lenna is young and extremely hot, so what she sees in the scruffy Deth, is kind of a mystery. Thomerson at 39, easily looks old enough to be Hunt's father. Parading around in a trench coat, Deth isn't quite up to speed with the LA lifestyle, and he realizes that he needs Leena's guidance.
Deth gets a lead to Hap Ashby (Biff Manard), the last surviving ancestor, and manages to save him from elimination by Weisling, and his cop buddies. Speeding through the darkness on a moped, down the back alleys of LA, is about as exciting as things get, as the action is not particularly well staged, and Deth isn't much of an action hero type. The long second bit is used twice to save Leena's life. The second time, involves Deth going from a rooftop to the street, and is accomplished with great visual economy. The film's conclusion seems rushed, and is somewhat anticlimactic and weak, like a TV movie. This sets the stage for the many Trancer sequels, none of which would feature the future academy award winner, Helen Hunt.
While Trancers will never be mistaken for Blade Runner, it has an interesting premise, and is an entertaining time if you don't expect too much. A limited budget, and lackluster story development, unfortunately prevents Trancers from being a better, and much stronger film. Tim Thomerson has the Jack Deth character nailed down, and his relationship with Leena, is the highlight of this cult favorite. Hunt manages to be charming, without being too sappy, and even this early in her career, you can see there is something quite special about her.
This edition has been out for several years, and the image quality is rather disappointing, looking much like 80's era VHS. The presentation is fullscreen, with no subtitles.
Movie Review: I feel, so.. Unclean
Summary: 3 Stars
I mean, so much is really missing in this movie. that I would usually mark and give horrorble grades for...But as people said... One thing that has not been lost. I just had plan out fun watching this movie.
Tim like many say, even though his Hands WERE acting MESSED UP when driving that car. Is a man I really wish I've seen alot more of in action films. with the right direction's he really could be (What Dollman was actully trying to be) The next Dirty Harry.
ANd one thing.. DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN! HELEN Hunt! Now I've never seen many of her early movies. I do like her acting. She is well deserved of her acting fame. but DAMN SHE IS SOOOOO GOOD LOOKING IN THIS MOVIE! I'm just like damn! I never would have thought she ever looked this GOOD! I mean she looks ok intodays standards. and I Really enjoy her personality. in any thing that's what really works for me.
but had to commet on that.. OK now back to the movie.
This movies special effects.. when I first saw them, I said right away.. You got to to kidding. as the movie wen't on, I got into it more. and more and more. I have bought all but 5 right about now.. I have only watched this one.
But I'm looking forward to actully viewing all 5 of them....
Movie Review: Introducing Jack Deth
Summary: 3 Stars
Jack is a cop in the future. He has been tracking down trancers, people of week minds who have been tranced by a master criminal. Activation of their trancing causes them to turn yellow and violent.
After eliminating a trancer, Jack is told that the mastermind behind the trancers has managed to travel to the twentieth century in order to wipe out the ancestors of his enemies. Jack is sent after him.
While tracking the trancers and his main quarry, Jack meets Helen Hunt and a relationship develops. But all is not well with the investigation and Jack may get pulled from the case. Later he has to consider the possibility of self-sacrifice in order to complete his mission.
Not a bad little film. It would have been better if there was a little more explanation regarding trancers as a whole and not just the short (three-sentence) narrative at the opening. Other than that the movie works and uses time travel in a clever way that is fresh. If you are looking for a bit of entertainment that is not too heavy and doesn't need any real deep thinking, give Jack Deth a try.
Movie Review: A Gr8 Film
Summary: 3 Stars
You can say what you like about this film, but you have to admit it is fun. I had been trying buy it for years and was pleased to see its release on DVD. On the DVD its self there isn't much, the picture quality is okay, but who knows where they got the footage from. It fades to black from time to time like its taken from a TV version with the Ad's cut out. And it still has the 'cigarette burns' in the corner ever real for the Projectionist. All i can say is, can we have Trancers II now?Movie Review: Guilty Pleasure
Summary: 3 Stars
Well, maybe not too guilty about it, I do like Trancers. Tim Thomerson does a good job of playing the hard boiled, wise cracking detective. Trancers, like the many of the movies from New Moon were low budget, cheesy but very enjoyable to watch. Mr Thomerson did a good job in all of them.