Scanner Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Scanner Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 4, 2021

David Cronenberg wasn’t pursuing a franchise opportunity when he created 1981’s “Scanners,” but he managed to inspire the creation of one, without his involvement. Executive producer Pierre David labored to transform the original feature into a series of DTV sequels, achieving some success with 1991’s “Scanners II: The New Order” and 1993’s “Scanners III: The Takeover.” Instead of marching into a fourth installment with the same old telepathic warfare, David elected to slightly change the situation, taking directorial control of 1994’s “Scanner Cop,” which turns the whole brain- popping concept into a detective story, almost playing like a pilot for a syndicated television show. “Scanner Cop” isn’t a major reorganization of the premise, but it tries to merge supercop events with horror happenings, finding some inspiration when it creates a mess with the characters and their squishy minds.

As a young boy, Sam (Daniel Quinn) witnessed his father be driven to insanity by his “scanner” powers, unable to contain his telepathic abilities. After his death, Sam is raised by cop Pete (Richard Grove), soon becoming a police officer, ready to serve the citizens of Los Angeles. Using pills to control his own scanner gifts, Sam tries to focus on the job, but trouble arrives with a wave of police murders committed by seemingly innocent people being controlled in a mysterious way. Joined by Dr. Joan (Darlanne Fluegel), Sam reluctantly returns to the scanner world to help the police figure out who the mastermind of such violence is, inching closer to Glock (Richard Lynch), a madman using reprogramming to transform average citizens into killers.

“Scanner Cop” presents itself as a detective story, but there’s plenty of mental health activity to keep the viewing experience interesting. An opening sequence details the violent decline of Sam’s father, traumatizing his son, who’s raised to suppress his enlarged hypothalamus abilities, eventually joining the police force as an average man. However, such tenuous normalcy is disrupted by an unusual serial killer, with Glock and assistant Zena (Hilary Shepard) using devious methods to use everyday people as assassins, picking off cops without actually doing the dirty work. The script keeps Sam at odds with his powers, gradually forced to use them to help crack the case, and “Scanner Cop” generally works best during these agonizing tests of skill, watching the rookie use scanning to gather clues and interview suspects, getting back in touch with his primary source of shame.

Scanner Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray release of "Scanner Cop."

The 4k presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "Scanner Cop" does wonders to restore a film-like quality to the feature after decades on VHS and DVD. Grain is superbly resolved, giving the video release a cinematic look, which is backed up by excellent detail throughout. Facial surfaces on the actors are sharp, and makeup work is distinct, showcasing macabre happenings and BTS artistry, creating more than a few pausable moments. Interiors explore decorative additions with clarity, and exteriors enjoy as much expanse as the production allows. Costuming is fibrous, from heavy uniforms and business attire to more casual wear. Colors emerge with authority, offering a varied palette that secures a colder atmosphere for hospitals and offices, dealing with greens and grays. Costuming offers more vibrancy, along with props, as yellow serum and red pills are vivid. Greenery is exact. Skintones are natural. Highlights are tasteful, with brightness of daylight and lighting comfortable. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in excellent condition, with at least one very brief drop in resolution at the 13:18 mark.

Scanner Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a clear listening event, with crisp dialogue exchanges and emotional extremes as "scanning" encourages louder, hysterical acting from the cast. Scoring cues are defined and wide, with strong instrumentation and comfortable balance, supporting suspense with surges of synth. Sound effects vary in intensity, with gunshots noticeably milder, which may be an inherent issue. Atmospherics are active with office bustle and street movement.

Scanner Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features We Hate Movies.

• "Outside the Law: The 'Scanner Cop' Revolution" is a two-part making-of for "Scanner Cop" and "Scanner Cop II."

• "Part One" (22:09, HD) explores the creation of "Scanner Cop," featuring interviews with producer/director Pierre David, fan Simon Barrett, "Scanner Cop II" director Steve Barnett, stunt coordinator Jeff Pruitt, special effects artists Ted Haines and James Rohland, and actors Richard Grover, Hilary Shepard, and Mark Rolston. Enormous love for David Cronenberg is shared at the beginning of the featurette, with most of the interviewees offering their appreciation for the original "Scanners." Sequels to the original movie are discussed, and David's mission to make the picture is tracked, with the title collecting major pre-sale money at the Cannes Film Festival. Thoughts on actors Richard Lynch and Daniel Quinn are shared, with the latter remembered for his method acting, keeping clear of his co-stars. Locations are examined and a stunt mishap is explored, with Pruitt taking a hit while jumping through a wall. Special effects are analyzed, pointing out various tricks and "gags" to give the endeavor enough graphic content. And the video release of "Scanner Cop" is recalled, doing well in the hot VHS rental market, though Shepard still seems disappointed there wasn't a theatrical release.

• And a Promotional Video (4:22, SD) is included.

Scanner Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Scanner Cop" doesn't have the chilling presence of Cronenberg's original feature, but it tries to do something with its limited ideas, offering some gore zone visits as Sam works himself up with vein-bulging power. Of course, it's all one big countdown to a head explosion, but David creates a few tense moments along the way. Not enough of them, but effective special effects from John Carl Buechler hold attention, showcasing scanner battles with bubbling, melting, and exploding skin. The lead performance from Quinn is also committed enough to pass, working his close-ups with eye-popping fierceness, adding some horror emphasis to a film that's not especially exciting, but hardly an embarrassment.