Screamers (1995)

Just what I expected

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Rewind back to 1996 and I was at my local video store looking for a movie to rent that night. That particular night all the decent movies were all sold out and I was on the lookout for a movie to rent that night. As there was nothing else in the store I decided to hire out Screamers and give it a go. It turned out to be a regrettable mistake as Screamers was one of the most unmemorable and forgettable movies I have ever seen. Fast forward to 2016 and although I could not tell you what Screamers was about 20 years later, all I could remember was how forgettable the movie was. Looking back now, I should have hired a 7 day rental instead of an overnight movie. But it's no use crying over spilt milk.Screamers could have been a decent movie. The screenplay written by Roy O'Bannon (Alien, Total Recall) based on a short story by Philip K. Dick (Blade Runner, Minority Report) and directed by Christian Duguay (The Art of War, Hitler: The Rise of Evil) surely the end result could have been worth watching? And with Peter Weller (Robocop) who isn't a bad actor at all, this movie wouldn't be so bad? Right? Wrong. I was very disappointed with Screamers and regretting my decision to rent this movie out. I was actually hanging out for the movie to mercifully end and by that stage, I was indifferent how the movie was going to finish.Screamers should have been released directly to video and should not even have seen daylight in a cinema. The whole movie was a forgettable experience and I should have never hired out the movie in the first place.1/10.

On a distant mining planet ravaged by a decade of war, scientists have created the perfect weapon: a blade-wielding, self-replicating race of killing devices known as Screamers designed for one purpose only -- to hunt down and destroy all enemy life forms.This is a film that should be successful. Start with producer Antony I. Ginnane, who had great genre films dating back to Patrick" and "Strange Behavior". Add a story by Philip K. Dick, which was turned into a screenplay by Dan O'Bannon. Add on great actors like Peter Weller and Jennifer Rubin. Heck, even add the Chiodo brothers for special effects. How can this fail? And yet it does. Visually, it just looks a mess. The opening narration is off-putting. The cinematography is sloppy (though this may be because of the CGI and not the fault of the camera). This is the sort of film that would benefit from a remake, but there is always the fear they would botch it again.

This film sounds really cool in concept. But, it is permeated by lots of yelling and (yes!) screaming. The film follows acclaimed Science Fiction writer Philip K. Dick's original short story fairly closely, except for its difference in tone and ending.The direction is fairly routine, as is the script. The showdown upon showdown upon showdown gets tiring at the end, and undoes the paranoia of what came before. The acting gets pretty hammy, adding to the melodrama.The visual and practical effects are very good for a lower-budget film. The film score is fairly routine. Philip K. Dick was one of the most visionary Science-Fiction writers. And, few of his stories have been made into good films, which is too bad. "Screamers" is one of those misses.***** (5 Out of 10 Stars)

This is a surprise movie meaning that turns out to be a great movie when you were expecting just a good one. The story has to be respected and understood. Then, what happens after that falls into place nicely. I am totally disappointed that they did not make a sequel to this winner. It was certainly set-up to do so. It has what I call genuine and satisfying scary moments brought to you via intelligence, not shock. Anytime you can engage the viewers imagination in a quality way after a movie viewing (as well as during) means you got a success on your hands. This is certainly one of those movies. The concept presented of something man has done that has mutated into something else is a good one. Now, if that something else wants to compete and then eliminate man, well you got my full attention thus this movie. Science Fiction treads a fine line of being believable or not when introducing a story. It doesn't have to be perfect to make its point. It has to be respectful and this movie respects the viewer. You will not have any trouble getting into this movie after the first few minutes. Then, all the dots start to connect and cause a viewing pleasure. It will suck you right in and when the ducks line up, scare you good and proper..Enjoy with a favorite snack so you don't bite your nails