Scanners II: The New Order ** (1991, David Hewlett, Deborah Raffin, Yvan Ponton) – Classic Movie Review 9886

Director Christian Duguay’s Canadian 1991 action horror sci-fi film Scanners II: The New Order is based on the characters from David Cronenberg’s 1981 movie Scanners.

A decade on the sequel (without David Cronenberg’s involvement) is an acceptable horror yarn about a power-crazy cop and a scientist who chase after the brainy head-exploders to start a Scanner militia.

Scanners II: The New Order is tolerable as a video for the fans, with more concentration on the story and trickery than Cronenberg managed, but there is nothing special on show. David Hewlett stars as David Kellum, with Deborah Raffin as Julie Vale and Yvan Ponton as Commander John Forrester.

Also in the cast are Isabelle Mejias as Alice Leonardo, Tom Butler as Doctor Morse, Raoul Max Trujillo as Peter Drak, Vlasta Vrana as Lieutenant Gelson, Murray Westgate, Doris Petrie, Dorothée Berryman, Michael Rudder, David Francis, Stephen Zarou and Tom Harvey.

It was made in Montréal, Québec, Canada, on a budget of $5 million. It was released on 3 May 1991 in Canada and 28 June 1991 in the US.

Scanners III: The Takeover followed immediately later in 1991.

Scanners II: The New Order is directed  by Christian Duguay, runs 105 minutes, is made by Allegro Films, Filmtech, Image Organization, Groupe Malofilm and Lance, is released by Malofilm Distribution (1991) (Canada), Triton Pictures (1991) (US) and Image Organization (1991), is written by B J Nelson, based on original characters created by David Cronenberg, is shot by Rodney Gibbons, is produced by Pierre David and René Malou, is scored by Marty Simon and is designed by Richard Tassé.

Scanners II and III are now on Bluray in 2014. A Scanners TV show is in the works in 2017.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9886

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