Representative of a certain segment of science fiction/horror films from the era, Trancers (1985) is campy, heavily atmospheric, fun, B movie.  Featuring looks at the underside of Los Angeles, including the punk scene, Chinatown, and the skid row district, the action is often punctuated by a pulsing, spacey, `Tangerine Dreamish' soundtrack.  The special effects are rather modest, the fights are kind of lame, and the main villain, a pretty boy without much gravitas.  What makes the film work is the hero's deadpan straightforward approach to his mission, and an engaging performance, by the adorable Helen Hunt (Mad About You).

Time travel involves the administering of a drug, which allows the traveler to go back, and occupy the body of a familial ancestor.  Trooper Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) is a law enforcement officer from the 23rd century, sent back to Los Angeles in the year 1985, to locate a criminal known as Martin Whisper (Michael Stefani), who is occupying the body of an LA police detective named Weisling.  Whisper has strange psychic powers, which enable him to take control of a person's mind.  His victims are known as trancers, and their help, Whistler/Weisling has begun eliminating the ancestors of key government officials from the future.  Part of Deth's mission, is to try and save the lives of two remaining ancestors.

Trancers look like normal people, but Deth has the ability to recognize them.  Before heading into the past, Deth is given doses of antidote, which permit a return to the future, and a special `long second' watch, that elongates time.  Deth assumes the identity of his ancestor Phil Deth, arriving in his LA apartment, where a girl named Leena (Helen Hunt), has just spent the night.  It's the Christmas season, and Leena has a job as a Santa's helper at a mall.  Santa turns out to be a trancer, and tries to strangle Deth, who is forced to kill him.

From here it's the fairly typical, hero on a mission, while girl falls in love with hero, story.  Lenna is young and extremely hot, so what she sees in the scruffy Deth, is kind of a mystery.  Thomerson at 39, easily looks old enough to be Hunt's father.  Parading around in a trench coat, Deth isn't quite up to speed with the LA lifestyle, and he realizes that he needs Leena's guidance.

Deth gets a lead to Hap Ashby (Biff Manard), the last surviving ancestor, and manages to save him from elimination by Weisling, and his cop buddies.  Speeding through the darkness on a moped, down the back alleys of LA, is about as exciting as things get, as the action is not particularly well staged, and Deth isn't much of an action hero type.  The long second bit is used twice to save Leena's life.  The second time, involves Deth going from a rooftop to the street, and is accomplished with great visual economy.  The film's conclusion seems rushed, and is somewhat anticlimactic and weak, like a TV movie.  This sets the stage for the many Trancer sequels, none of which would feature the future academy award winner, Helen Hunt.

While Trancers will never be mistaken for Blade Runner, it has an interesting premise, and is an entertaining time if you don't expect too much.  A limited budget, and lackluster story development, unfortunately prevents Trancers from being a better, and much stronger film.  Tim Thomerson has the Jack Deth character nailed down, and his relationship with Leena, is the highlight of this cult favorite.  Hunt manages to be charming, without being too sappy, and even this early in her career, you can see there is something quite special about her.

This edition has been out for several years, and the image quality is rather disappointing, looking much like 80's era VHS.  The presentation is fullscreen, with no subtitles.
Representative of a certain segment of science fiction/horror films from the era, Trancers (1985) is campy, heavily atmospheric, fun, B movie. Featuring looks at the underside of Los Angeles, including the punk scene, Chinatown, and the skid row district, the action is often punctuated by a pulsing, spacey, `Tangerine Dreamish' soundtrack. The special effects are rather modest, the fights are kind of lame, and the main villain, a pretty boy without much gravitas. What makes the film work is the hero's deadpan straightforward approach to his mission, and an engaging performance, by the adorable Helen Hunt (Mad About You). Time travel involves the administering of a drug, which allows the traveler to go back, and occupy the body of a familial ancestor. Trooper Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) is a law enforcement officer from the 23rd century, sent back to Los Angeles in the year 1985, to locate a criminal known as Martin Whisper (Michael Stefani), who is occupying the body of an LA police detective named Weisling. Whisper has strange psychic powers, which enable him to take control of a person's mind. His victims are known as trancers, and their help, Whistler/Weisling has begun eliminating the ancestors of key government officials from the future. Part of Deth's mission, is to try and save the lives of two remaining ancestors. Trancers look like normal people, but Deth has the ability to recognize them. Before heading into the past, Deth is given doses of antidote, which permit a return to the future, and a special `long second' watch, that elongates time. Deth assumes the identity of his ancestor Phil Deth, arriving in his LA apartment, where a girl named Leena (Helen Hunt), has just spent the night. It's the Christmas season, and Leena has a job as a Santa's helper at a mall. Santa turns out to be a trancer, and tries to strangle Deth, who is forced to kill him. From here it's the fairly typical, hero on a mission, while girl falls in love with hero, story. Lenna is young and extremely hot, so what she sees in the scruffy Deth, is kind of a mystery. Thomerson at 39, easily looks old enough to be Hunt's father. Parading around in a trench coat, Deth isn't quite up to speed with the LA lifestyle, and he realizes that he needs Leena's guidance. Deth gets a lead to Hap Ashby (Biff Manard), the last surviving ancestor, and manages to save him from elimination by Weisling, and his cop buddies. Speeding through the darkness on a moped, down the back alleys of LA, is about as exciting as things get, as the action is not particularly well staged, and Deth isn't much of an action hero type. The long second bit is used twice to save Leena's life. The second time, involves Deth going from a rooftop to the street, and is accomplished with great visual economy. The film's conclusion seems rushed, and is somewhat anticlimactic and weak, like a TV movie. This sets the stage for the many Trancer sequels, none of which would feature the future academy award winner, Helen Hunt. While Trancers will never be mistaken for Blade Runner, it has an interesting premise, and is an entertaining time if you don't expect too much. A limited budget, and lackluster story development, unfortunately prevents Trancers from being a better, and much stronger film. Tim Thomerson has the Jack Deth character nailed down, and his relationship with Leena, is the highlight of this cult favorite. Hunt manages to be charming, without being too sappy, and even this early in her career, you can see there is something quite special about her. This edition has been out for several years, and the image quality is rather disappointing, looking much like 80's era VHS. The presentation is fullscreen, with no subtitles.