O Defensor do Futuro

A model handsome Android (Julian Sands) is warped back to 1990s earth, programmed to prevent an impending cataclysm in this compelling 90s DTV SCI-thriller! 'The Tomorrow Man' has a cosy TV Movie charm that I found greatly appealing, and the gifted cast's credible performances are a credit to the production's canny casting director. A smart, engaging, surprisingly warm-hearted Sci-fi drama that proves to have deeper content than one might initially imagine. I also found that Giancarlo Esposito and his delightful cybernetic cohort Julian Sands had a lovely screen chemistry, Sand's sympathetic Saviour proving to be altogether humane. The cogent, frequently witty text included some genuinely amusing exchanges, and, I, for one, would have been more than happy to see a sequel.

The script is intelligently written and surprisingly literate. The conversations between the main characters are heavily laced with quotations and historical/literary allusions. Unfortunately the acting is amateurish at best and occasionally quite bad. There were obviously good intentions in the making of the film, and while it's often quite fun, it's just too lightweight. There are no special effect or fancy sets. It was obviously done on the cheap. The story is pretty standard with an android coming from the future to save the earth from an impending doom, but there is no sense of danger. It's hard to care about either the characters or the fate of the world. I enjoyed it, but it was a slow TV night.

My wife and really enjoyed this film. Julian Sands was terrific, and it was not the predictable B grade film that I expected. It left us with a positive feeling. Although not an eco-green environmental film, I think that 'eco-types' will like this film. A few of the lines were silly and over-acted, but much of the script was quite good, with a some clever humour. If you do not want a block buster action film, rent it as a nice decent B grade flick. There are no monsters or scary special effects, so if you do not like sci-fi, don't let this put you off.

The humanoid Kenn (Julian Sands) arrives from the future in a spaceship in the present days to save the future of mankind. He sees a billboard and assumes the form of the man in the advertisement. Then he tries to stop the car of the unemployed computer-expert Jonathan Driscoll (Giancarlo Esposito) on the road, but is accidentally hit by Jonathan. He takes Ken to the hospital and reports the accident. Meanwhile, the arrogant Dr. Galloway (Craig Wasson) and the military Brian Parish (Obba Babatundé) are hunting the spaceship and Kenn. Jonathan repairs Kenn and learns that the unsuccessful launch of a spacecraft in a couple of days is the landmark of the end of humanity. Further, another humanoid was sent to the past years ago but disappeared. Jonathan decides to help Kenn in his assignment.

"The Tomorrow Man" is a highly-entertaining TV Movie from the 90's that is still great. The plot seems to be a pilot of a promising TV series since there are many storylines that could be explored. The most important, the story has not aged. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Defensor do Futuro" ("The Defender from the Future")

Although suffering from a few "Terminator" plot similarities this movie-(TV series pilot?) is pretty watchable and not typical of the usual made for TV dross.Pity it wasn't made into what was obviously an attempt as a pilot for a series,I think it would have had the "legs" to make at least a few good episodes.Quite enjoyable and not the usual "aliens and monsters" B movie or Aircraft suspense junk.A few glitches in the continuity,The aircraft boarded changed in mid flight from a Lockheed L1011 Tristar to a Boeing 747b!-good trick that!, and perhaps the "rocket engine test" shouldn't have shown the tail and base of the shuttle Colombia?-not evident on the test pad!Otherwise one of the better efforts as a TV movie.