TRANCERS

"Security? We've got trouble at the North Pole!"

In the future, Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) is a cop-cum-bounty hunter who we first meet entering a cafe at night. After enjoying a spot of banter with the middle-aged waitress there, he produces a laser gun from his belt and blows her away. As she falls to the ground, her corpse glimmers momentarily and then reduces instantly into ashes.

She was a Trancer: one of an evil cult controlled by master criminal Whistler (Michael Stefani), who hypnotised his subjects and then transported them through time to help carry out his nefarious desires.

Jack is committed to tracking Whistler down and putting him out of action for good. He thought he had already, in fact ... until he learns that he's alive and loitering around 1980s Los Angeles.

And so, Jack is transported back in time to pursue his quarry - the kick being that he has to align with an ancestor who was alive in that era in order to assume their identity. Fortunately for him, his ancestor is also called Jack - and has just started seeing hot exercise freak Leena (Helen Hunt), who gets extra points for sexiness on account of her working as one of Santa's elves at the local shopping mall.

But, hey, as easy as it may be for Jack to become distracted by Leena's charms, he's got a job to do in 1980s LA. No, not take out the local Santa - though he does do this, upon recognising him as another zombie-like Trancer - but locating his arch nemesis and putting him out of action for good. At least he now has Leena in tow as accomplice...

The very moment the opening credits kick into life, you're hit with low synthesisers and neon titles: you know instantly that, unless Nicholas Winding Refn has just rush-released a previously unannounced sequel to the superb DRIVE onto blu-ray, we are firmly in mid-80s territory.

Indeed, director Charles Band's glorious 1984 quickie - a cheap cash-in on the decade's early fascination with noirish sci-fi (see BLAD RUNNER in particular) - is rife with retro goodness from the get-go: Phil Davies and Marc Ryder's gloriously dated electronic score; the neon-swathed night-time settings; the big hairstyles and bad fashion choices; crazily unconvincing perceptions of how futuristic vehicles should look; a lead actor whose only credentials appear to be that he's got a rugged look about him.

Actually, Thomerson becomes curiously endearing as the film progresses. It may be by virtue of the cheesy one-liners he's saddled with throughout, or perhaps the fact that when his ears are on display he resembles a PG Tips monkey. But he has a presence that steals each scene he's in. He's also got ludicrously broad shoulders whenever he wears his grey suit...

I digress. The truth is, TRANCERS is cheap and tacky looking, and has dated a lot. Somehow all of this works in its favour, and the film - which has always been an entertaining ride - is now more fun than ever. The sets, though low-rent, do retain a cinematic élan about them; the performances are committed despite the pure hokum coming out of the actors' mouths; the cinematography is surprisingly adept.

Most importantly, Band keeps the pace brisk and directs his plentiful set-pieces with flair and aplomb. The special effects, too, all laser guns and minor gore, are treasures of low-budget 80s fare: God bless a young Howard Berger for cutting his teeth on this wonderfully hammy production.

Oh, and a young Hunt cavorting gratuitously in a leotard? Yep, TRANCERS sure is a fun way of spending 76 minutes.

88 Films' blu-ray of TRANCERS is a region-free affair.

It presents the film uncut and in a pretty spectacular-looking 1080p set-up. Housed as a healthily sized MPPEG4-AVC file, the anamorphic 1.78:1 presentation comes from a very clean print - save very minor specks on occasion - and boasts highly impressive qualities in terms of detail, colours (truly eye-popping at times) and depth. There's little in the way of DNR, while nasty gremlins such as edge enhancements and compression issues are nowhere to be seen.

English audio receives the benefit of 2.0 and 5.1 mixes, both of which are DTS-HD Master Audio affairs. While the film's age and low budget origins may restrict the prowess of the latter, it has to be said that both offer solid, clean and consistent playbacks - with rousing synth strains balancing finely against clear dialogue and sturdy sound effects.

The disc opens to a static main menu page. From there, a pop-up scene selection menu allows access to the film via 14 chapters.

Bonus features are plentiful. They commence with an enjoyable audio commentary track from Band and Thomerson. The pair enjoy each other's company and their jovial manner certainly rubs off on the listener. But that doesn't stop them from employing extremely good memories and discussing virtually every aspect of the production - locations, fellow cast members, wardrobe decisions, special effects etc - in great detail.

"Trancers: City of Lost Angels" is a 24-minute standard definition short, featuring Hunt and Thomerson, which was intended to bridge the gap between TRANCERS and its official sequel. Thought to have been lost for over two decades, this is a real coup for fans. Despite the inferior presentation (which is understandable), it's good fun - an extension of the main feature, essentially - with Band acting as director and John Carl Buechler handling FX duties.

A new 14-minute Making Of featurette entitled "Cybercrime" offers good interviews with Band, co-writers Paul De Meo and Danny Bilson, and an aged Thomerson. They speak fondly of the shoot, and spare some time to comment upon Hunt as a fledgling pre-fame actress. This, like the commentary, makes for great viewing.

Speaking of Hunt, she turns up in youthful form - along with Thomerson and Megan Ward - during 2 minutes of archive VHS-quality interviews from the time of the film's original release. Fascinating stuff.

A stills gallery is really attractively compiled. Although it only lasts for 99 seconds it offers a plethora of interesting promotional shots, all set to the calming strains of the film's retro score.

Next up is a 7-minute documentary shot during the theatrical premiere of "Trancers: City of Lost Angels" (or, as one fan puts it, "Trancers 1.5") in August 2013. Band introduces the film to a rabid audience, explaining that the short was originally intended as part of a series he had in mind in the 1980s entitled "Pulse Pounders" - designed to proffer 30-minute mini-sequels to films he'd made. What a great idea, Charles. Really.

An 82-second "Pulse Pounders" promo follows, demonstrating what could have been. Despite the pillar-boxed VHS-quality presentation, this looks fucking great.

Curiously, the next extra is 68 seconds of unrestored footage from DUNGEONMASTER - which looks so bad that it's bound to be fantastic fun. The footage is obviously rough ... but we'll wait and see what 88 Films/Full Moon Features can do with it.

Trailers for all 5 of the TRANCERS films, plus "1.5", are obviously present and correct. The usual 88 Films trailer reel is always fun to check out. It lasts 22 minutes here and incorporates previews of PUPPET MASTER, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM, DEMONIC TOYS, BLOODY BIRTHDAY, TWO MOON JUNCTION, DOLLMAN, BLOODSUCKING FREAKS, PUPPET MASTER 2, PUPPET MASTER 3: TOULON'S REVENGE, TOURIST TRAP and CASTLE FREAK.

Also included in this set but unavailable for review are double-sided cover artwork (as well as Rick Melton's newly commissioned effort, above, we get the option of displaying the original artwork on our shelves) and a booklet containing liner notes by Calum Waddell.

TRANCERS may have aged but it's done so in most charming fashion. It stands up well as solid entertainment, justifying its status to this day as a video-era cult classic. 88 Films' blu-ray treats the film with the utmost respect.

Recommended.

Review by Stuart Willis