Triple-Play — Awesome Non-Terminator Cyberpunk Cyborg Films
While my father was out this weekend, he requested I assemble lists of my top-three films in various categories, so he could check them out. I’d been thinking of putting together themed film pairings for a while, so this suggestion seemed like a great idea. Thus, I introduce Dreamlogic.net’s Triple-Play. Being that we love more films than most (possibly due to a high tolerance for cult camp), standard categories just aren’t going to work. So, each article will feature a trio of targeted genre fare, guaranteed to satisfy your hardest to scratch niche itch.
First up, in celebration of Terminator: Salvation, three awesome non-Terminator Cyberpunk Cyborg films. Now, being that I only have three slots to be original, I’m not going to put my standard picks of Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell (but by all means see them). Instead, I give you three films that are deserving of some cult credibility. They’re not exactly great, but I find them fun.
Cyborg 2 – Terminator fans may be familiar with Sarah Connor Chronicles’ Cameron and T3’s TX, but both have nothing on Angelina Jolie’s killing machine: a female cyborg assassin, engineered to fight, infiltrate, seduce, and explode on climax! The only problem is this Cyborg, in true Blade Runner fashion, has developed feelings and an undeniable sense of self. Lots of action, lots of Angelina, hilarious dialog, and an undeniably cool Cyberpunk style make this one camp classic you won’t want to miss.
Hardware (aka: Mark 13) – Equal parts odd, arty, and unsettling, Hardware shows what happens when modern art sculptures go awry. Dermot Mulrooney plays a scavenger in a post-apocalyptic wasteland who gifts his sculpture-artist girlfriend an awesome mechanical skull. This, of course, gains him mad mad points with his lady, until the mechanical piece turns into an unstoppable killing machine! The sensibility is equally Lynchian and Gibsonian, with a heavy metal twist. Keep your eyes out for cameos by Lemmy from Motorhead and Iggy Pop himself. A bit hard to find, but worth a look.
Robocop 2 – Better than Robocop 1. I’m serious. One of the most unfairly hated sequels ever. The robots are better, the world grittier, the infomercials funnier, the action more intense. I’ve seen this one at least four times. Robocop? Barely three.
