Trancers (1985)

Cool, clever B grade sci-fi gave rise to one of the more popular cult movie series in existence. It gave comedian Tim Thomerson the role of a lifetime, as a detective of the future named Jack Deth. Deth is sent back in time 300 years to inhabit the body of his ancestor, so he can find and apprehend a villain named Whistler (Michael Stefani). Whistlers' modus operandi is to hypnotize weak minded people into becoming his slaves, the "Trancers" of the title. Deths' faithful sidekick / love interest will be a young woman named Leena (Helen Hunt).Producer & director Charles Band makes the most out of the situation with this very amusing and entertaining story, concocted by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo. The futuristic designs are nicely done, so much credit should go to production designer Jeff Staggs, art director Christopher Amy, and cinematographer Mac Ahlberg. There's also a very atmospheric electronic score by Phil Davies and Mark Ryder. One memorable gadget is a "long second" watch that stretches out time for the owner, giving Deth some precious extra moments to escape certain death.Humour is a definite strong suit in the Bilson and De Meo screenplay, with some very funny lines and moments. Deth is given some choice quips, especially when he puts on some hair gel, and says, "Dry hair is for squids."A very fine supporting cast is another attraction. Hunt has rarely looked this ravishing. Stefani could have easily had more great bad guy roles, if only in B fare. Thomerson is as cool as can be, and associates of his such as Art La Fleur and Biff Manard contribute a welcome presence. Richard Herd, Anne Seymour, Miguel Fernandez, Telma Hopkins, and Richard Erdman all have nice bits.Great fun, for any fan of limited budget science-fiction, and it clocks in at a very reasonable 77 minute run time, to boot.Nine out of 10.

In the Twentieth-Third Century, in Angel City, the trooper Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) hunts down the criminal Martin Whistler (Michael Stefani) that killed his wife and turns weak-minded people into Trancers to follow his command. Jack is assigned by the government to travel to 1985 to chase Whistler that has fled to the past to kill their ancestors and assume the government. The way to travel in time is injecting a drug that makes the consciousness of the user traveling through ancestors. Jack learns that Whistler left his body in the Twentieth-Third Century and took over his ancestor, L.A. Police Detective Weisling. Before traveling to the past, Jack destroys Whistler's body to trap him in the past. Jack awakes in the body of the journalist Phil Dethton that had one night stand with the sexy photographer Leena (Helen Hunt). Jack teams up with Leena to look for the the ancestors of the member of the government, but Whistler has the power of the police. Will they succeed?"Trancers" is a cult sci-fi film directed by Charles Band in a film- noir style. The idea of traveling in time through ancestors is unique and the story has action and humor in right doses. Helen Hunt is very cute and shows great chemistry with Tim Thomerson). My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Trancers – O Exterminador do Século XXIII" ("Trancers – The Terminator from the Twentieth-Third Century")

Aside from its awesomely-named main character, Jack Deth (played by Tim Thomerson ... equally badass), "Trancers" is one of those VHS time-killers you found at the video store way back when. Thing's only 77 minutes, but it moves like molasses. That said, it's a movie that proudly wears its B-movie aesthetics on its sleeve, staged in both the nondescript L.A. and a future lit by "Blade Runner" neon. It's the kind of pulp sci-fi romp that was right at home in the '80s, and some of the ideas showcased here are pretty nifty (bullet-time, anyone?). It's not great, but the movie does come with its own charm, and there are far worse ways to kill some time on a Saturday. 6/10

Oh, the decade of 80, how many memories... it was an unforgettable time in all the aspects: fashion, music, movies, finally, in all the cultural manifestations. Trancers it's a film that belongs to that time, and for that it should be analyzed is tended that in mind. It's an action piece, labeled of B-Movie, but that gets to accomplish your role very well of entertaining. The history, as all the ones that work with the subject of the displacement in the time, it's very cool. Tim Thomerson faces with a lot of honesty your role and it gets to transmit Jack Deth's afflictions well. Helen Hunt as usual gets to give life and a same depth tone emotionally in such a simple character. It's also always very cool to see the L.A. of the 80's , only that would already be worthwhile Good movies are those that arrest you in the screen, for that parameter " Trancers'' is a Hit!!! And just for reminding, the continuations are also fine, of course not so much as that, but they are not the dirt that is announced thereabout...