It is particularly worth watching, in the light of Alien's tagline. Screamers then already has value, for any Science Fiction buff's collection.
The fact that it is based on a Philip K Dick novel gives it a worthwhile pedigree, because Philip is one of the most respected science fiction authors since Asimov.
Not having read the book, I am not in a position to advise as to how well the transposition to the silver screen has been performed, but it is unlikely to satisfy ardent Dick fans.
Essentially, Peter Weller is the leader of a group of Striking miners, who are at war with a government that wants them to mine energy efficient ore, but highly radioactive... The only reason that they have not been defeated, is that the alliance against the government has provided them with a defence weapon, called a screamer. A screamer is like a landmine, underground, but designed to recognize life and move through the soil in order to locate their target, which they do not explode, but rather slice apart. The miners have bracelets that electronically tell the screamers that they are not targets. Where this becomes classic science fiction material, is that the screamers are designed to utilise material of their victims to reproduce themselves and they have the capacity to upgrade, their own design.
Peter Weller acts his role with assured ability, of one of the most underestimated actors of our generation. The story builds well, leaving you to only guess at how the story will unravel, and the credit must go to Dick for this, but the direction does not fail to keep the page turning suspense element.
Once you start watching you become more and more engrossed. It is low budget science fiction, but the effects are simple and effective, and the money has been spent very wisely. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and if you are reading this because its up on your cable guide for the night, do yourself a favour and watch it, especially if you are a science fiction fan.
The fact that it is based on a Philip K Dick novel gives it a worthwhile pedigree, because Philip is one of the most respected science fiction authors since Asimov.
Not having read the book, I am not in a position to advise as to how well the transposition to the silver screen has been performed, but it is unlikely to satisfy ardent Dick fans.
Essentially, Peter Weller is the leader of a group of Striking miners, who are at war with a government that wants them to mine energy efficient ore, but highly radioactive... The only reason that they have not been defeated, is that the alliance against the government has provided them with a defence weapon, called a screamer. A screamer is like a landmine, underground, but designed to recognize life and move through the soil in order to locate their target, which they do not explode, but rather slice apart. The miners have bracelets that electronically tell the screamers that they are not targets. Where this becomes classic science fiction material, is that the screamers are designed to utilise material of their victims to reproduce themselves and they have the capacity to upgrade, their own design.
Peter Weller acts his role with assured ability, of one of the most underestimated actors of our generation. The story builds well, leaving you to only guess at how the story will unravel, and the credit must go to Dick for this, but the direction does not fail to keep the page turning suspense element.
Once you start watching you become more and more engrossed. It is low budget science fiction, but the effects are simple and effective, and the money has been spent very wisely. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and if you are reading this because its up on your cable guide for the night, do yourself a favour and watch it, especially if you are a science fiction fan.