udar55 Future London where lots of neon bathes everything. Roy Bain (Larry Lamb) is hired by old cohort/crime boss Motherskille (Steven Berkoff) to find Nicole (Nicola Cowper), one of his prostitutes who was kidnapped and is, naturally, Bain's ex-flame. A group of genetic freaks who live under the streets grabbed her because her body might provide the answers to their mutations. Seems they got hooked the synthetic drug "White Man" by unethical bio-chemist Dr. Savary (Denholm Elliott) and Nicole is the only addict whose visage isn't turning into the Elephant Man. This isn't really a good movie, but it is unique and well made enough for me to enjoy it. Debuting director George Pavlou gives it a retro- future vibe like STREETS OF FIRE and TROUBLE IN MIND. The film is probably best known for being co-written by Clive Barker (Pavlou would adapt Barker's RAWHEAD REX after this). I know Barker dismisses it now, but it still has some interesting ideas and you can even see a bit of the genesis for his CABAL/NIGHTBREED in it. This is the kind of film studios should be picking up and remaking as it had a germ of a good plot, but not the budget to carry it out. You can definitely tell that Clive had a fondness for BLADE RUNNER when he wrote this though. But, unlike that film, this can't escape its 80s-ness with lots of shoulder pads, trench coats and neon on display. The cast is good although Lamb is an odd choice for a romantic/heroic lead as he looks like a cross between Steve Coogan and Bill Maher. The mutant make-up leaves something to be desired though as their leader looks like a bulbous Andy Dick. Supporting players include Miranda Richardson as a mutant and Ingrid Pitt as a madame. There is also a moody synth score by 80s band Freur. Fans of the VHS sleeve will be disappointed that no one is shrunk and put into a vial (although I'm sure it gave distributor Charles Band some fantasies).

Scarecrow-88 A white drug created by Dr. Savary(Delholm Elliot)causes both Euphoria and mutations for those who use it. Hugo Motherskille(Steven Berkoff)is living large through "manufacturing" and enlists the aid of a painter, Roy Bain(Larry Lamb), a former employee known for his sleuthing abilities, to find a kidnapped prostitute, Nicole(Nicola Cowpar), taken from her brothel(by the mutants) as a bargaining chip for the drug in Savary's possession. Because he loves Nicole, Roy will indeed seek out her whereabouts but as he pursues what happened to her, Motherskille's association with Savary raises red flags. Roy's life will be in constant peril as he seeks answers in regards to what caused the mutants' afflictions and how Nicole plays into the grand scheme of things. Savary is the key to it all and Motherskille may be using Roy for other reasons besides finding Nicole. Nicole's immunity to the hideous side effects of Savary's drug enhances her importance to the scientist who wants to know how to get rid of the mutations which derive from its use. Ingrid Pitt has a small role as the madam over the brothel for which Nicole works, seemingly hiding a secret vital to Roy in his success. I don't think anyone will be surprised that Berkoff is more than he says he is..he has been the villain in way too many films to have us accept him as anything other than the root cause of what is transpiring, with Elliot(given star treatment)the mad scientist who took junkies and introduced them to a drug which not only addicts them but causes grotesque side effects, such as facial sores and malformations. Lamb is pretty much a private eye of the future who eventually sides with the victims of Savary's experiments, when those behind his hiring betray him. Some pretty gross make-up effects and a heavy emphasis on dark and blue(rarely does the film take place at all during the day), opting for a more neo-noir look instead. I was startled to learn that this movie was based on a story/screenplay by Clive Barker. George Pavlou not only directed this film with Barker's name attached, but also the next year's RAWHEAD REX(the film Barker has disowned). The stunning, sexy Irina Brook is a prostitute named Bianca who is in love with Roy, even saving him at one point in the movie. Hard to believe that's Miranda Richardson as one of the mutants, constantly demanding more of the white drug as the addiction has taken complete hold of her.

DonJohn80 Clive Barker has stated this film was one of the reasons he directed Hellraiser himself, so I first watched this movie knowing that it was going to be terrible. I also hoped it would be the watchable kind of bad, no luck there. First off, this isn't even really a horror movie. The possibility is there but mostly it's mutants in bad make-up, so it's more sci-fi. The costuming and direction looks like a bad new wave music video with less budget than a three minute video would have. The use of red and blue lighting puts me in mind of Dario Argento, and as such blasphemes his name. The acting and script were also terrible, causing the movie to drag on until it feels like you've been sentenced to hell for renting/buying this film. The only reason I kept watching is because I'm a Barker fan through thick and thin. The only mildly redeeming quality I a brief bit at the end, which seemed tacked on anyway. It was hardly connected to the story and focused on a subplot of sorts that had no development. I would guess it was only mentioned to permit a horrific ending, but it ended up the wrong kind of horrific.

Claudio Carvalho This movie looks like those from the end of 1950s or beginning of the 1960s, only badly directed. A very weird and confused story, ham actors and actresses, I believe nothing is worthwhile in this film. The unique curiosity is the name of Clive Baker in the credits. But my advice is: - Do not waste your time! My vote is three.