Screamers Reviewed
01/08/2000 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 

Our Geoff has been down the video shop in search for new releases (well, as least as new as they get in the UK's sleepy county of Somerset). What he found was a real Screamer! (or should that be howler - Ed)

Buy Screamers in the USA - or Buy Screamers in the UK

For an adaptation, 'Screamers' remains oddly faithful to its source, Philip K. Dick's short story 'Second Variety'.

A robotic attack force used in a civil war between humans, adapts itself to more ingenious heights of infiltration disguise in getting to their bunkered victims.

Ultimately, they attack both sides simply because to them, humans are humans. As these robots also play at looking human, a puzzle is brought to the cast when they recognise most varieties except for the second.

For those familiar with Dick's original, recognising who this is isn't particularly difficult from the start. As I said, this is a reasonably faithful adaptation. To some extent, it is a puzzle as to why this video was 'remaindered' so early.

Usually, films get remaindered when they don't sell well but these days it can also happen from warehouses being overstocked and wanting to clear stock after massively over-ordering.

Probably a bit of both.

The only real winners are the buying public if they're prepared to wait a couple years before buying. Certainly, this one sells well at this price locally cos it took me long enough to grab a copy. That and a certain reluctance based on it being remaindered.

I must slap my wrist about prejudicing a film placed in that state. From an actor POV, I do think Peter Weller is becoming increasingly wooden in his parts.

It was a requirement of 'Robocop' and even more so, to keep a straight face in 'The Naked Lunch'. You can see either producers or directors urging more of the same, but coming over as mostly expressionless in SF films won't really help his acting career.

He really does need something to show his range again than the odd flash. It's amazing none of the other cast considered him to be a robot.

They're called 'Screamers' from the high-pitched noise they made when attacking with circular blades. The other actors are competent but equally as unmemorable in that they are filling a role than star status.

That should not be seen as an insult. If you had star names there, it would be far too easy to work out the survivial rate. Leni Parker of TV's 'Earth: Final Conflict' is listed in the credits but without her Taelon make-up is hard to pick out.

If you're into SF films, then this one really should be on your list to at least give it a viewing.

Australia is becoming more and more the focus for looking like an alien planet and this one is no exception. The effects, for the most part, are excellent and blend well with what is really there.

The mayhem and violence will please those so inclined. The ending might be a slight reverse of Dick's short story but the conclusion is the same.
GF Willmetts.

Columbia Tristar video:
Price: varies but remaindered at £4.99 in the UK.
104 minute film.