HARDWARE

The overlooked 1990 film, Hardware, is an interesting blend of sci-fi and horror that feels like a hybrid between Blade Runner and The Terminator, with a dash of Demon Seed and even 1984 thrown in for good measure. Dylan McDermott (yes, THAT Dylan McDermott) stars as Moe, a post-apocalyptic scavenger who brings home a twisted mass of scrap metal for his artist girlfriend, Jill (played by the gorgeous Stacey Travis). Little do they know that this heap of metallic waste is actually an abandoned military defense droid who promptly regenerates itself and takes Jill prisoner in her own home.

This somber morality tale succeeds more often than not and the visuals are quite impressive to boot. Graphic violence and strong sex scenes are in plentiful quantities, while the mostly unpredictable story manages to keep the viewer engaged throughout the film’s average running time. Upon its release, critical reception seemed largely tepid due in part to its heavy-handed view of a world devoid of a trustworthy government and its bleak, uneven view of society. The fact that Hardware could not be easily categorized as a “sci-fi”, “fantasy” or “horror” film greatly hindered its box-office return as well.

Interestingly enough, unlike many films, this one seems to improve with age. Director Richard Stanley (who, unfortunately, made one more film after this and seems to have all but disappeared from the public spotlight of directing movies) has eerily predicted certain aspects of the future which have now become a reality (i.e. characters using infrared cameras, human interaction being largely replaced by computer technology, etc). Watching Hardware in today’s times, these elements convey a feeling of believability, which no doubt had been suspended – or perhaps, even lost – in the past. Aside from these factors boosting the film, a great conclusion helps elevate this movie to a level over most of its peers from that time period.

While not an excellent film, Hardware is a good, solid and powerful story that only occasionally loses itself along the way. It’s more than worth tracking down.

My Rating - 8 out of 10