SCANNERS
*****
Directed by David Cronenberg.
Starring Stephen Lack, Michael Ironside, Patrick McGoohan, Jennifer O’Neill.
Horror, Canada, 103 minutes, Certificate 18.
Released in UK on Limited and Standard Edition 4K UHD & Blu-ray on 31st March by Second Sight
Let’s cut straight to the chase shall we? How does that bit look in 4K? You know… the greatest exploding head of all time? Well, thanks to this 4K restoration approved by David Cronenberg himself it looks more spectacular than ever before. The way that poor Louis Del Grande’s bespectacled head balloons out to an unbelievable size before erupting out in a wet corona of crimson gore, expanding further outwards makes what is of the one of the most iconic shots in horror cinema look every bit as thrilling and shocking today as it did when unleashed on an unsuspecting audience back in 1981. This is just one of the many aspects that make this particular release of Cronenberg’s dive into mainstream horror filmmaking an essential release.
As iconic as it is, there is so much more to SCANNERS than this three second shot. This tale of a psychic cold war predates, and foretells in its own way, the glut of superhero cinema and television that floods our screens today. While it could be counted as Cronenberg’s most commercial distillation of his interests at the time, not counting his racing car curio FAST COMPANY, it is fascinating to see his other obsessions along with body horror crystalising: the melding of the biological with the technological, the influence of corporations on human society as well as its possible evolution.These lofty aspects meld in beautifully with Cronenberg’s propulsive and violent storytelling, making it the perfect example of his pulp driven style before the more outre works that populate his latter career.
Aside from the money shot that delighted many a gorehound back in the day, the rest of the film looks fantastic in this new remaster. The 4K disc sharpens the picture naturally in such a crisp and sharp fashion that elevates it above all previous home releases making it an essential purchase for longtime fans and newcomers unfamiliar with Cronenberg’s body of work. The climactic eye-popping battle between heroic Cameron Vale and his evil counterpart Darryl Revok still manages to thrill and turn the stomach with a pyrotechnic display that highlights the still impressive effects work of Dick Smith, Chris Walas and Stephan Dupuis that captures every detail without it looking hokey.
Both Walas and Dupuis are interviewed separately for the extras that are included in this already impressive package. Stephen Lack and Michael Ironside also offer up their thoughts on the film and their working relationship with Cronenberg in a pair of revealing interviews alongside a shorter interview with the turncoat Lawrence Dane. Howard Shore also offers his thoughts on his collaborations with Cronenberg over the years while producer Pierre David and cinematographer Mark Irwin also share their thoughts on working with the celebrated auteur. Two audio commentaries from Canadian horror expert Caelum Vatnsdal and film professor William Beard, both of whom have written extensively about Cronenberg offer their own illuminating thoughts on this highlight of 80’s genre cinema.
Second Sight once again prove their worth as one of the best suppliers of cult cinema with yet another beautifully presented product. As stated before, long time fans and newcomers alike will be delighted with the beautiful presentation of the film itself as well as the generous on-disc extras and the substantial book and art postcards that are included on the limited edition set. An essential purchase that trumps the previous US Criterion release, this is a long overdue repackaging of a film that is every bit important as it is fun and exciting, not least in its evergreen ability to shock and shake the viewer with its slick stylings that mix the cerebral with the visceral on multiple levels.
Iain MacLeod