Director: Pierre David
Cast: Daniel Quinn, Darlanne Fluegel, Richard Lynch
Review Author: Tony
Synopsis: Rookie cop Sam Staziak possesses psychic powers known as “scanning,” which allows him to read people’s thoughts. When a deranged serial killer with similar scanning abilities begins terrorizing the city, Staziak is assigned to track him down.
The Scanners film series is a peculiar creature. It all began with the acclaimed first film, David Cronenberg’s Scanners (1981), which wowed audiences with its mind-bending premise and unforgettable telepathic head explosions. The franchise, to say the least, has been inconsistent in terms of quality and tone. From that high-flying first film, it veered into somewhat entertaining yet bizarre B-movie territory with Scanners II: The New Order (1991) and Scanners III: The Takeover (1992). These sequels, while enjoyable in their own right, couldn’t recapture the visceral impact of Cronenberg’s original vision, instead leaning into a shlocky approach as most horror sequels tend to do.
Scanner Cop takes a daring leap by altering the format of the series. Instead of the familiar government conspiracy theme that had characterized the previous films, we find ourselves smack in the midst of a police procedural. The protagonist is Sam Staziak, portrayed by Daniel Quinn, a beat cop who displays latent scanner abilities. Under the guidance of his adoptive father, Sam uses his abilities to aid his job but medicates to keep his abilities in an almost dormant state. While the previous Scanners films had dealt with world-ending conspiracies and grandiose showdowns between psychics, Scanner Cop brings things down to the street level. No shadowy organizations are plotting to take over the world here, just cops dealing with scanner criminals. This is a reminder that not every movie needs to be about the fate of the world; sometimes, a personal battle can be just as gripping.
Every great movie needs a memorable antagonist, and Scanner Cop certainly delivers in this department with antagonist Karl Glock (Richard Grove). Karl is a scanner on the loose, and his powers are not to be trifled with. He can infiltrate people’s minds, manipulate their perceptions, and induce pain at will. What sets him apart is his unbridled cruelty. His motives are selfish, his methods are ruthless, and he’s got a personal vendetta against our hero, Sam Staziak.
What makes Scanner Cop truly stand out is its wild and unpredictable third act. Heads explode, bodies contort, and scanners wreak havoc like there’s no tomorrow. It’s a gloriously over-the-top display of telepathic power, and it’s absolutely bonkers. If you’re a fan of practical effects and enjoy seeing what creative minds can conjure up with a limited budget, you’re in for a treat.
In the grand scheme of the Scanners series, Scanner Cop stands as a surprisingly fun and different entry. It goes against the grain by shifting the format from government conspiracy to police procedural. If you’re a fan of B-movie shlock and enjoy movies that embrace their campy side, “Scanner Cop” is a must-watch. It’s a reminder that sometimes, breaking from the norm can be just what a series needs to keep things fresh and entertaining. It may not reach the heights of the original Scanners or quite achieve the status of a hidden gem, but it carves out its own unique niche in the series, delivering a dose of horror and mayhem that will keep you entertained from start to finish.
Rating:
Exploding Heads
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