Scanners is the one film most people know when you mention the name of the director David Cronenberg, and it is now being released from a new 4K remaster from Second Sight.
After an incident at a shopping mall, a troubled drifter, Cameron Vale (Stephen Lack), is taken into the care of scientist Paul Ruth (Patrick McGoohan). Vale, it turns out, is a scanner – someone who can read and manipulate the minds of all those around them. The good doctor introduces Vale to the organisation ConSec and tells him that he can stop the non-stop barrage of voices in his head, but first he requires Vale to infiltrate a rival group of scanners led by the psychotic Darryl Revok ( Michael Ironside).
I reviewed the previous release by Second Sight of Scanners, which you can read here, and my views on the film have not changed much. The lead actor Stephen Lack is very bland and shows little emotion through the whole movie. Michael Ironside steals the show as the evil Revok, and the battle between the two at the climax is one of the highlights.
The special make-up effects, especially the exploding head sequence, still look amazing today, but the film is let down by a plodding middle section which slows the plot.
While the previous release was good, this new remaster is even better, it really looks superb, with the new transfer which is approved by director David Cronenberg. The detail is very good, with decent skin texture, and the Black level is rich and deep, giving a good frame depth.
The audio gives you the original mono mix as well as a DTS-HD MA 5.1, which opens up the soundstage a lot. dialogue is crisp and clear on both.
Plenty of extras which are –
Audio Commentary – With Caelum Vatnsdal, new for this release
Audio commentary – With William Beard
My Art Keeps Me Sane – Interview with Actor Stephen Lack
Method in his Madness – An interview with Actor Michael Ironside
Bad Guy Dane – Interview with Actor Lawrence Dane
The Eye of Scanners – An Interview with Cinematographer Mark Irwin
Mind Fragments – Interview with Composer Howard Shore
The Chaos of Scanners – Interview with Executive Producer Pierre David
Exploding Brains & Popping Veins – An Interview with Makeup Effects Artist Stephan Dupuis
Monster Kid – Interview with Makeup Effects Artist Chris Walas
Cronenberg’s Tech Babies – Video essay by Tim Coleman
Limited Edition Contents –
Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Krishna Shenoi
120-page book with new essays by Dr Xavier Aldana Reyes, Eugenio Ercolani and Gian Giacomo Petrone, Kurt Halfyard, Craig Ian Mann, Francesco Massaccesi, Jessica Scott, Emma Westwood and Heather Wixson
6 collectors’ art cards.
Another solid release from Second Sight with a great transfer and good extras
FILM -7.5 PICTURE – 9 AUDIO – 8 EXTRAS – 8
AVAILABLE AS A LIMITED EDITION 4K UHD AND BLU RAY…CLICK HERE
