Very good, not GREAT, sooooo early 80's

Rating: 8/10 (17 December 2013)

"Cheatin' bitch" sneers Mac (Russell) when the computerised chess bitch check-mates him. At least he gives her a glass of his J&B whisky. This didn't look like it would be an iconic film one day, but it is now (try buying the film poster for less than £100). It wasn't a great film, and it still isn't. But it is a very good sci-fi / horror. Russell is a supercool ice-crunchin alcoholic. Something not nice comes out of the ice, and things start getting drippy and sticky. The special effects are "no way man - check that" quality and, for me, have never been surpassed. The imagination involved is pleasing, and there's some really good, tense drama. So, what's mince about it? Nothing really. Closest thing to it in 'feel' I would say is ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, for many obvious reasons. Both films are VERY 80's in style - wee bit clinical, with electro music travelling with us on our quest for impending doom.