{"id":70316,"date":"2021-03-10T16:09:27","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T23:09:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=70316"},"modified":"2021-08-06T08:59:56","modified_gmt":"2021-08-06T15:59:56","slug":"scanners-1981","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=70316","title":{"rendered":"Scanners (1981)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;It&#8217;s the voices in my head; they&#8217;re driving me crazy.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Poster-201x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-70317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Poster-201x300.png 201w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Poster-687x1024.png 687w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Poster-86x128.png 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Poster-768x1145.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Poster-181x270.png 181w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Poster.png 771w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA homeless man (Stephen Lack) with special powers is kidnapped and brought to a corporation that has been breeding &#8220;scanners&#8221; for years. A doctor (Patrick McGoohan) trains Lack to search for a renegade scanner (Michael Ironside) who has been assassinating other scanners &#8212; but it&#8217;s soon unclear who exactly is fighting against who.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>David Cronenberg Films<\/li>\n<li>Horror Films<\/li>\n<li>Science Fiction<\/li>\n<li>Supernatural Powers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary writes that this sci-fi horror flick by writer-director David Cronenberg is &#8220;flawed, confusing, yet lively&#8221;. He notes that despite impressive special effects by Dick Smith, he finds &#8220;the film&#8217;s urban guerrilla warfare scenes [between scanners] much more enjoyable than watching eyes bulging out of sockets, blood pouring out of noses, and heads exploding.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Eyes.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Eyes-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-70322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Eyes-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Eyes-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Eyes-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Eyes-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Eyes-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Eyes-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Eyes.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>He adds that &#8220;McGoohan and Ironside give solid performances&#8221;: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-McGoohan.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-McGoohan-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-70328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-McGoohan-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-McGoohan-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-McGoohan-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-McGoohan-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-McGoohan-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-McGoohan-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-McGoohan.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Ironside.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Ironside-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-70327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Ironside-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Ironside-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Ironside-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Ironside-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Ironside-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Ironside-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Ironside.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; but &#8220;Lack isn&#8217;t an appealing lead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Lack.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Lack-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-70325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Lack-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Lack-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Lack-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Lack-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Lack-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Lack-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Lack.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, &#8220;Jennifer O&#8217;Neill (who&#8217;s part of the guerrilla band Lack helps&#8221; is impressive during one key scene in a doctor&#8217;s office, but her role isn&#8217;t substantial enough. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-ONeill.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-ONeill-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-70321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-ONeill-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-ONeill-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-ONeill-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-ONeill-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-ONeill-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-ONeill-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-ONeill.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Though it&#8217;s hailed by some as a classic and considered Cronenberg&#8217;s breakthrough film, I was unimpressed by the inane dialogue (along the lines of, &#8220;Do it now or I&#8217;ll kill you.&#8221;) and incessant gun brandishing. This film is really all about its special effects &#8212; and if you enjoy that kind of thing, you will certainly want to give it a look (and be sure to check out a short documentary entitled &#8220;The Scanners Way&#8221; for plenty of fascinating background information on how the effects here were creatively produced by masters of the trade). <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Some creative sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Sets-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-70319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Sets-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Sets-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Sets-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Sets-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Sets-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Sets-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Sets.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Impressive special effects<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Special-Effects.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Special-Effects-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-70318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Special-Effects-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Special-Effects-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Special-Effects-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Special-Effects-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Special-Effects-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Special-Effects-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Scanners-Special-Effects.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, though of course it&#8217;s must-see for Cronenberg fans. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0081455\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/reviews\/scanners-1981\">Roger Ebert&#8217;s Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/sciencefiction\/scanners-1981.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s4544scan.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s the voices in my head; they&#8217;re driving me crazy.&#8221; Synopsis: A homeless man (Stephen Lack) with special powers is kidnapped and brought to a corporation that has been breeding &#8220;scanners&#8221; for years. A doctor (Patrick McGoohan) trains Lack to search for a renegade scanner (Michael Ironside) who has been assassinating other scanners &#8212; but it&#8217;s soon unclear who exactly is fighting against who. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: David Cronenberg Films Horror Films Science Fiction Supernatural Powers Response to&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=70316\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=70316"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74833,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70316\/revisions\/74833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=70316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=70316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=70316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}