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STARS...
Jim Metzler, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, Lu Leonard,
Dennis Christopher, and Vernon Wells.
PLOT SUMMARY...
In the future, a robot and a female bodyguard make a dangerous trip
from L.A. to New York.
QUICK SCAN...
This film could be compared to "Cyborg". CIRCUITRY MAN
features action. Jim Metzler is convincing as the humanoid robot. Vernon
Wells is memorable as the villain, "Plug Head", aided by Special
Makeup Effects, Designed by Barney Burman. Desert locations are lensed
to perfection by Director of Photography. Jamie Thompson.
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DIRECTOR: Steve Lovy
YEAR & RATING: 1989 (R)
BEST BETS:
Damnation Alley
Robocop
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SYNOPSIS...
In the future, massive pollution has forced everyone to move underground.
When a deal for illegal micro-chips goes bad, Lori splits with the chips.
She hires an android, Danner, to drive her through the maze of underground
passages that connect LA to NY.
Lori and Danner are pursued by "Plug Head" and his henchmen,
as well as the police. They encounter a weird character named "Leech,"
who joins them on their quest. Forced to continue their trip above ground,
they breathe bottled air to survive.
In New York, there is a showdown between Lori, Danner, and Leech with
"Plug Head" and his men, as well as the cops. Lori and Danner
end up with the illegal micro-chips and each other. |
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Review:
Director Steven Lovy, working from a Screenplay by himself and Robert
Lovy, has created a unique look at a Global Disasters world.
Forty years after the oceans died, the last tree fell, and the air became
unbreathable, man (and woman) moved underground. Dana Wheeler-Nicholson
("Fletch") plays Lori, a female bodyguard who lives in Underground
L.A., a Neo 40's/futuristic environment not unlike that depicted in
"Blade Runner". When her old boss forces her to serve as protection
during an illegal circuits-for-cash transaction with an evil guy named
"Plug Head", the deal goes bad and Lori splits with the
mind-altering circuits.
Lori needs someone to drive her to New York to sell the circuits. She
seeks out Danner (Jim Metzler of "One False Move") an android
who is a "full bio synthetic". For the trip, Danner acquires
a 1964 Ford Galaxy 500 XL. Pursued by "Plug Head", and his
men, as well as the cops, Lori and Danner run into a dead end. When
Danner is severely attacked by horrible leeches, a strange dude named
"Leech" (Dennis Christopher) comes to their aid.
"Leech" lets them know that they'll have to go above ground
now to continue their journey to New York. He trades them bottles of
oxygen, that they'll need to survive, for a ride to New York. Lori,
Danner, and Leech crash through a wall and onto the desert terrain above.
With Plug Head and the cops close behind, the race begins for New York.
Director/Co-Writer Lovy has created some new, fun elements. Since Lori
(Wheeler-Nicholson) is the tough "guy" and Danner (Metzler)
an android programmed primarily for romance, the role reversal adds
a freshness to the proceedings. The fact that Lori is softer than she
looks, and Danner possesses some toughness beneath his foppish exterior
is part of the fun.
In addition, the film contains better than average dialogue. As they
drive along through the desolate, desert terrain, Lori asks the
android Danner what it's like being a synthetic. Danner responds, "Have
you ever been happy, I mean truly happy?" When Lori says, "No.",
Danner replies, "That's what it's like."
Director of Photography Jamie Thompson gets maximum effect from the
Lancaster, California desert locations. In one striking shot, the Ford
Galaxy, in a long shot, races along the desert road as several bolts
of lightning zap the sky in the background. The film's Music, by Deborah
Holland, is entertainingly quirky and offbeat.
The chief villain in this film is memorable. Plug Head (Vernon Wells
of "Road Warrior") has a shaved head as well as numerous jacks
and slots into which circuits, appliances, and even a car can be plugged
into him. Vernon Wells makes a spooky, smiling madman, and the special
makeup effects, Designed by Barney Burman, are superb.
My favorite scene in the film takes place at the Last Gasp Cafe. The
android Danner challenges a bad guy to a game of pool. If Danner wins,
he will get valuable oxygen bottles. If he loses, he'll give up his
life. Danner sinks all the balls on the table with a single shot.
CIRCUITRY MAN should be highly watchable for most Sci-Fi fans, who will
appreciate its freshness and originality.
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