Scanners (Su sólo pensamiento podía matar)

Desde el tema musical entre inquietante y deprimente hasta la que quizá sea la explosión de cabeza más legendaria de la historia del cine, esta película de terror clásica abarca mucho terreno. David Cronenberg, con un distanciamiento bastante frío, describe la retorcida batalla de su organización secreta, en cuyo centro se encuentra un ingenuo infiltrado que es arrojado a un mundo extraño y manipulado como el propio espectador. En el primer visionado me costó un poco el ritmo más flojo de la película, pero en el segundo me quedé muy absorto, devorando cada plano, y el «body horror» cronenbergiano más todos los efectos prácticos me hicieron sonreír. (19.01.2021)

Scanners is yet another cult classic from Cronenberg's early work, and it's definitely one of his best. Michael Ironside's portrayal of Darryl Revok is fantastic, though it's a shame we don't get to see more of him throughout the film. The movie's strongest points are its opening and, of course, the epic conclusion. I really have no major complaints. Cronenberg has such a unique style that when I encounter elements I don't particularly like, I try to understand his vision rather than wishing they were different. It's Cronenberg, and his films are meant to be appreciated for what they are. (20.05.2018)

The thought-provoking subject matter is held down by an overblown script and Cronenberg's incomprehensible restraint in explicit scenes. The scanning in front of the audience and the grand ending as if from an epic fable are not enough to stop me from dryly stating that the film was just plain boring. It’s a prime example of a film where rumors of exploding heads have created a phenomenon that falls short in reality. (10.08.2007)

In Scanners, Cronenberg focuses on what has excited him since his debut: scientific research devoid of ethical barriers that can be dangerous to the whole world, and technologies that aim to "enhance" the mental and physical abilities of humans. The director is once again original, and provocative, and showcases himself in the position in which his fans have always loved him, that is, as a "deviant" with an exceptional talent for creating a unique atmosphere and unafraid to push the boundaries of the ordinary. The film deals with telepaths, who are the result of a side effect of a drug. Cronenberg views telepathy in the film as a direct connection between nervous systems and also as a flow of energy that is even compatible with computer data flow. In his interpretation, the Scanners are not only capable of influencing the behavior of the people they attack, but they can also physically destroy them and, following the example of cyberpunk, connect to computer systems without needing any connection. Scanners once had such an impact that the film required a (clearly weaker) sequel, and within Cronenberg's body of work, that film is among the more well-known. Personally, I remember most the presence of the prominent villain Michael Ironside in the role of the evil scanner Darryl Revok. Overall impression: 70%. (05.06.2017)

The beginning was pretty good, but unfortunately, after half an hour it started to bore me. The twist elevated it to a slightly above-par level, but Cronenberg has impressed me more with other films. Here the director flies too low and the result is far below his potential. I’m quite looking forward to the remake that is in the works. (16.05.2008)