The Lawnmower Man (1992)

Virtual reality is the future, but buyer beware!  VR will be man's saving grace, bestowing piece and prosperity throughout the world.  At the same time however, while it delivers happiness to kids with abusive fathers, it can also turn dumbasses into psychotic geniuses!  And that's not all; just when you thought all they can do is mow a lawn, now they can control the lawn mower AND your mind!  Get virtual reality TODAY!

This pitch was obviously not the intention of the filmmakers, but I still summarized as much from the odd Sci-Fi flick.  Lauded for having effects beyond its time (?), The Lawnmower Man is a mostly nonsensical but decently entertaining follow-up to the revolution that was Terminator 2.  It packs similar music, a unique fantasy concept, new (albeit wannabe) visuals, and to the best of its ability emulates the same cold and blue design, and character archetypes including obsessed scientists and unreliable kids.  Others may notice a bit of Cronenberg here, with obsessions becoming perversions and biological horror running amok.  

What this flick really intends to do is provide a showcase for it's "exemplary" special effects.  Now this film is 20 years old, right when CGI was beginning to rear its beautiful/despicable little head, but the visuals do not assist in keeping one engaged and grounded in this ridiculous story. 

All this aside, I couldn't help but be slightly entertained by this film.  The bizarre and unique plot took me by surprise, even with the clear crutch holding on other films and filmmakers.  Jeff Fahey and Pierce Brosnan deliver somewhere between conscious fun and unconscious seriousness, but nonetheless give engaging performances, with the former truly surprising as a developmentally disabled gardener whom Brosnan's doctor takes pity on, leading to his using virtual reality to learn (it’s the FUTURE).  While the visuals are weak, they are unique as well; I don't think I've ever seen the like in a film before (though maybe in an early 2000's kid show...) 

Initially I expected to forget this film quickly, yet here I am still thinking about it days later.  While The Lawnmower Man could be worthwhile for genre fans, it's certainly nothing to miss an episode of Breaking Bad over.  

 

Tidbit:  Produced on a budget of $6,000,000 (see "exemplary" special effects), with reported returns of $200,000,000 worldwide... now I know why there's a sequel. 

Drink of Choice:  Virtual Reality; what else?! Mix 1 1/3oz Gin, 2/3oz Calvados, 1/3oz Grenadine, and 1/3oz Lemon Juice, drink, and watch the VR bees fly!

Or you could just mix some Vodka with blue food coloring; just like this movie, kinda looks cool, but is it?

The Running Man (1987)

What more do you need?!

Directed By:  Paul Michael Glaser   Written By:  Stephen King (novel), Steven E. de Souza (screenplay)

Cast:  Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Cochita Alonso, Yaphet Kotto, Jesse Ventura, Richard Dawson

Plot:  In the near future the citizens of the world enjoy hardcore games shows as provided by the new totalitarian state.  Arnie basically decides to screw it up after becoming a contestant, taking out the competition and throwing up one liners in this numb dumb look at violence and media.

Review:  The Running Man seems to fall right in with Arnold Schwarzenegger's film theme for the 80s; unapologetic, flashy funny cheese with slight Sci-Fi smarts.  Before this was The Terminator, after was Total Recall (both of which are superior).  While it may attempt to give slight forewarning in regards to the future of reality television and possible dangers of desensitization and an overbearing government, its basically sinks down to a story that will best serve the movement and continuation of the action.  That being said, I couldn't help but smile watching it.

Characterization is frail here, with Arnold's character speedily being presented as one man against the world (when is he not?) moving him into position to unwittingly become a pawn in game/reality show with elements we are all use to, aside from the fact that violence and death are mainstays.  His main opponent (besides Planet Earth itself) is a maniacal game show host played by Richard Dawson of Family Feud fame, essentially playing down any seriousness previously implied to the plot.  From here on, it’s a number of video game levels, each with their own boss and environment, with scenes that are slightly repetitive, but fairly enjoyable over all.

As expected, there's no great acting here to mention; however, if Arnold didn't act the way he generally does in everything (or lack thereof) would the movie be as enjoyable?  It is his hackneyed delivery and overly extreme gestures that help to make all of his films worth watching.  Credit must be given to the writer as well; a threat from our protagonist to his arch enemy in the third act was so belabored and excessive, I had to re-watch it three times just to understand what exactly would happen if the threat were carried out (and to continuously laugh).  Visual effects are fun and enjoyable, just like that synth-infused Harold Faltermeyer score; very dated as well, but maybe that’s what adds to the viewing here over 20 years after it first appeared.

You won't find anything unexpected, you will find strange computer game opening titles, your mind will be stimulated slightly by real world relevance and then squashed back down immediately, and you will have to put up with not one, but TWO future governors (both ALSO in Predator).  Nonetheless, The Running Man offers lighthearted entertainment with gloss and smiles that you can't help but enjoy.

Note:  Watch TOTAL RECALL; it may be strange that I bring it up here, but the similarities are palpable, and I can't help but stress it is a much better film.

Equilibrium (2002)

Directed By: Kurt Wimmer Written By: Kurt Wimmer Studio: Dimension Films

Cast: Christian Bale, Sean Bean, Taye Diggs, William Fichtner, Angus MacFadyen, Dominic Purcell, Emily Watson

How can I attempt to describe the 2002 dystopian SciFi action/thriller film Equilibrium, one word: Gunkata!

Before I get into this review I had a one major initial beef with this film. For the first 10 minutes of the movie I couldn't see past the emotionless acting. It felt stale, deadpan and in general I just couldn't connect to any of the characters. But then it hit me that is EXACTLY what this film was going for.

Synopsis:

You see Equilibrium is a portrayal of a not to distant future where man, in an effort to be more humane to their fellow man, have forsaken all feeling. People walk around alive, but they don't truely live. With an emotion sedating substance known as Prozium fascist leaders, known as Tetragrammaton Council, control the populace. Where the drugs fail to control special soldiers known as Clerics completely destroy all resistance using superior fighting skills with extreme efficiency.

The Tetragrammaton Councils top Cleric John Preston (Christian Bale) has always done his job unrepentingly until he accidentally misses one dose and begins to feel. These feelings will turn his world upside down, and in the process maybe humanity will be human again.

Review:

I loved Equilbrium, and have now watched it twice. The action scenes are amazing well done, and have a very similar feel to watching The Matrix, but without CGI as a crutch. Everything is done practically; shootouts, swordplay and fisticuffs all happen in a rapid flurry of camera pans and hard cuts that allow you to experience them instead of just admiring them. And the aforementioned Gunkata wasn't a joke! The martial art of firearms has never looked so damn good, and is just exhilarating to watch!

The acting is a little trickier to rate, as the majority of the characters are meant to be emotionless, and in that respect they do an adequate job. But the ones that do feel such as Preston, Cleric Partridge (Sean Bean) and "Emotional Content violators" (Such as Emily Watson) are a sharp contrast to the sedated majority. It is in Christian Bale's performance that we see true acting chops as he slowly transforms from apathetic drone into a real person who feels, loves, hates and questions his own existence.

Equilibrium has something for everyone in it. Intense action (I feel is superior to The Matrix) that is just fun to watch. Social commentary on what it means to truly be human and the importance of emotions. Hell, there is even some heavy hitting drama, especially revolving around Preston's relationship with his young son.

Oh, and there is a cute puppy ... you know, if you are into that thing.

 

Do yourself a favor, and check out Equilibrium today! And just in case you don't want to take my word on it here is the trailer: