スキャナーズ
あらすじ
デヴィッド・クローネンバーグ監督の1981年のSFスリラー『スキャナーズ』では、キャム・ヘンダーソン（マイケル・アイアンサイド）は、人々の心を操り破壊する能力を持つ強力なテレパスである。キャムは、自分だけがその能力を持っているのではないと知ると、このような並外れた力を利用して私腹を肥やそうとする企業コンセセンドによる陰謀に巻き込まれていく。 映画は、テレパシー能力を持つ悩める青年、キャメロン・ベール（ピーター・ステビングス）が、コンセセンドのエージェントに追跡され、捕らえられる場面から始まる。キャメロンは実験と尋問を受け、自らの力の大きさと、企業の真の意図に気づき始める。 一方、破壊の才能を持つ聡明だが不安定なスキャナー、ダリル・レボック（マイケル・アイアンサイド）は、会社の手から逃れている。ダリルはキャメロンに取り憑かれ、自分たちは何らかの形で繋がっており、彼を破壊する運命にあると確信する。 キャムは、自分の能力と彼を取り巻く邪悪な勢力に折り合いをつけようと苦闘する一方で、コンセセンドの暗い秘密と、彼らの世界征服の陰謀に立ち向かわなければならない。企業の圧政と戦う反体制地下組織の助けを借りて、キャメロンはダリルを止め、コンセセンドの真実を暴くために立ち上がる。 この映画を通して、クローネンバーグは、パラノイア、反逆、そして現実と幻想の境界線の曖昧化というテーマを探求している。その結果、人間の本性の暗い側面を掘り下げた、緊張感あふれる視覚的に印象的なスリラーとなっている。『スキャナーズ』は、SFホラーと社会批評の融合により、カルト的な人気を博し、クローネンバーグの作品の中で最も影響力のある映画の一つとしての地位を確立した。
レビュー
Hudson
Quite the opposite of "It's Alive," "Scanners" employs telekinetic homicide, a concept practically impossible to visualize directly on screen. It relies heavily on the actors' ability to convey the extraordinary without physical props. (Also, is that helicopter shot at the 63-minute mark an homage to his own film, "Stereo"?)
Marcus
Clearly, "Scanners" foreshadows the concept later seen in Marvel's X-Men. But, the visual representation of mental control, relying solely on the actors' performances without physical aids, often feels strained and constipated. This film leans more towards "fantasy" than "science fiction," dwelling on imagination ungrounded in physical reality, akin to the unreal notions of "magic" or "inner power," making it all rather mystical and vague. It's a concept-driven piece, indeed. The depiction of the battle between superhuman psychic abilities unfolds through a series of medium and close-up shots, switching between actors. To its credit, the film ventures into political and philosophical reflection, though superficially. If one seeks a truly in-depth exploration of a computer-controlled human utopia, Fassbinder's "World on a Wire" offers a far more insightful perspective...
Hope
The green font on the screen, the state of computing in the 1980s, the Scanner as a direct connection between humans and electronic components, or rather, the internalization of mechanics within the flesh through some means. "Scanners" seems to borrow a kind of 1940s retro-futurism, without internally demonstrating this relationship. Further, the film revisits the "institute" space, a location seen in Cronenberg's earlier experimental works, where ESP phenomena are recorded and observed. However, "Scanners" does not adopt the "thesis film" mode of his early work by explaining the rationality of this theory through abundant audio-visual opposition, but rather functions as a more straightforward genre film...
Adrienne
Every Cronenberg film can be divided into a tedious 70 minutes and a mind-blowing 20 minutes that leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew.
Tucker
The ending was brutally shocking! I was completely stunned. After reading Nine Uncle's short review, it all made sense. This is indeed a martial arts film! The ending was a battle of internal energy between the two strongest masters in the world on a mountaintop...
Max
Scanners is a thrilling sci-fi horror film that explores the dark side of telepathic powers. The film's eerie atmosphere and intense action sequences keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The story delves into the sinister motives of the mysterious corporation, revealing a complex web of intrigue and deception. With its thought-provoking themes and graphic violence, Scanners is a cult classic that still captivates audiences today, leaving a lasting impact with its haunting and unsettling portrayal of psychic horror.
Esther
"Scanners, huh? You think you're the only one who can read minds with your brainwave sandwich? Try telling that to the self-checkout line at McDonald's. They've been 'scanning' my patience for months!"
