If you don't, here's a simple synopsis.
Drifter Cameron Vale (Stephen Lack) is plagued by incessant voices in his head unaware that he is a Scanner, a group of people with extraordinary powers who can not only read minds but literally tear them apart. He is discovered by a scientist aiming to help his kind adapt to society. However an underground movement of Scanners led by the psychotic Darryl Revok (Michael Ironside) have other intentions and the ultimate confrontation of minds awaits.
My favourite part of all is the ending, so do not read on until the next paragraph if you don't want spoilers. After the psychic confrontation between Vale and Revok, Revok is shown still alive but with Vales voice, his scar vanished and Vale's blue eyes. He says 'We've won'.
Now most people have taken this as Vale has succeeded in defeating Revok but unfortunately having to take over his body. I see it the opposite way around. I think Revok is the successor in the fight and through the fight scanned Vale so much that he could replicate everything he needed. (Who's to say Scanners can't work like that?, I have always been one to root for the bad guys though and Ironside is brilliant in this)
You can read again here.
As I put the DVD on, I noticed already that the transfer is better than the original DVD release by Starz Home Entertainment, it's now much clearer and sharper, I only wish I could have seen it on Blu-Ray 1080 for all its glory.
The problem here is that it's actually that nice and clean, it makes the actors look like they can't act as well as first thought. For example, the scene in which Vale meets a fellow scanner in his art gallery home and some bad guys pop by with guns, the faces pulled by Lack just look hilarious and look way over acted.
But then other scenes like the exploding head look magnificently beautiful, luckily it's over in a flash as thanks to the new transfer, makeup and the like is easily noticed.
Then the sound, to me it sounds the same as the old DVD with a little bit of a remaster, a little touch up to make it more crisp because nothing really needed changing in the first place.
Then come the extras. Only 5 extras but what they are makes up for it despite only being interviews.
- 'MY ART KEEPS ME SANE - An interview with Stephen Lack',
Quite an interesting odd little piece this one, Lack loves his painting and always has done.
Throughout the interview Lack talks about life as an artist, different films he has worked on and his memories from 'Scanners' and of Mr. Cronenberg, who at one point asked Lack to try not to bounce as walking.
If you would like to take a look at Lack's art, head here http://stephenlackart.com/ - 'THE EYE OF SCANNERS - Interview with Cinematographer Mark Irwin'
Now this is even more interesting than Lacks interview. Irwin speaks much about how Jennifer O'Neill was difficult and wanted him fired. He also speaks about the infamous head exploding scene (with a double barrel shotgun) and zel gel, the stunt gel you can set on fire, and much more. - 'THE CHAOS OF SCANNERS - Interview with Exec. Producer Pierre David'
Pierre David is quite an eccentric man, seeing all these interviews makes me think that you had to be a bit of an oddball to have worked on 'Scanners'. We learn more of miss O'Neill being awkward and demanding, and then more inside details about the other actors including the ones who played minor characters. - 'EXPLODING BRAINS AND POPPING VAINS - Interview with Makeup Effects Artist Stephen Dupuis'
It's pretty obvious why the interview with Stephen Lack was first, he was the lead in the film after all but with everything Stephen goes through here, he should have really been first as all we hear is a little bit more detail about what we have heard already from everybody else on the list. Still a good watch but quite a let down after already hearing everything before. - 'BAD GUY DANE - Interview with Actor Lawrence Dane'
I've always liked Lawrence Dane, from 'Scanners' to 'Bride Of Chucky' he's always been a decent and underrated actor.
So I was happy to see this interview last as it ends on a high note. He speaks on how you don't have to be bad to be BAD and his other memories from working on Scanners but unfortunately it's an extremely short interview.
A shame there isn't commentary or other extras like deleted scenes or the extras from the older DVD's ''The Directors: David Cronenberg''and ''Inside Scan: Scanners'' and so on but it's still the best version of the film out there.
An easy 8/10.
It would have been a 10 if those old extras were included and there was some sort of commentary over the film.