Trancers (Charles Band, 1984, USA)

Trancers is perhaps one of the lesser-known franchises to emerge from the 1980s. A futuristic detective thriller with hints of Blade Runner, as well as The Terminator (released the same year), Trancers is perhaps best known as the film debut of Helen Hunt. Yet the film has become a cult favorite, spawning five sequels. The film is also noteworthy for being one of the first directorial efforts of Charles Band, whose Full Moon Features would become a staple of low-budget horror, spawning such other franchises as Puppetmaster.

The film stars Tim Thomerson as Jack Deth, a retired police trooper in the 23rd century who is enlisted to track down a crime boss named Martin Whistler. He does this via drug-induced time-traveling, returning to 1985 via his ancestral bloodline, entering the body of his ancestor, a journalist named Phil Dethton. Jack, now in Phil's body, uses Phil's girlfriend Lena, a punk rock chick (Helen Hunt), to go after Whistler. The premise involving the ancestral bloodlines is interesting and allows some unique aspects that aren't present in many other films of this kind. The trancers themselves are also a highlight. There is one particular scene in which a mall Santa Claus turns into a trancer, and this might be the highlight of the film.

At a mere 75 minutes, Trancers is quick, to the point, and doesn't try to wear out its welcome. Leading man Tim Thomerson was a stand-up comedian, and he brings a lot of fun to the role, making sure that the film doesn't take itself too seriously. While the film certainly has limitations related to its budget, it is a fun ride for under an hour and a half. Fans of 80s sci-fi/action should check this one out - it is a unique experience from a different era.

7/10