Scanners

To be honest, I think "Scanners" is one of the weakest films that Cronenberg has directed. It has all the elements that his filmography can be proud of, but these specific elements are placed on a clichéd framework that is not capable of surprising anything. Although there are elements that are still strong, characters that can capture your attention, and a final twist that does hit, it is not a film that takes your breath away. Cronenberg has withdrawn a bit here and does not appear as much on the surface. Preferring repeated principles is not entirely it. (11/22/2013)

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. (05/20/2018)

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. (05/17/2008)

From the depressing and disturbingly suspenseful score to perhaps the most legendary and iconic head explosion effect scene in movie history, this classic horror movie covers a lot of ground. David Cronenberg, with a seemingly cold distance, lays out a twist-filled battle between two secret organizations, with a naive infiltrator in the middle of it all, who is sucked into a strange world and manipulated just like the audience itself. On first viewing, I had a bit of a problem with the slow pace of the movie, but on second viewing I was taken aback, I loved every single shot, the Cronenberg style of "body horror" plus all those practical effects managed to put a smile on my face. (01/19/2021)

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. (08/11/2007)