Transmutations

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).

Given that this is based on a Clive Barker story, and contains some major acting talent it should be good. It's NOT good, and the blame for that rests squarely with director George Pavlou.It could have been an interesting melding of the crime/horror genre, but takes every wrong turn possible.

Larry Lamb is a good actor, but he is so hopelessly miscast here as the hard man reluctantly dragged back into the criminal underworld, that there is a gaping hole at the heart of the film where a central character should be. In fact most of the normally reliable actors here, turn in awful performances.

The sets are awful (the neon tube underground lab looks like a Gary Numan stage set). The costumes are awful (the gangsters dress like Duran Duran). The music is awful, and the dialogue is awful. The script is so bad its difficult to imagine Barker had anything to do with it. At one point "our hero" is injected with the deadly transmutating drug, absolutely nothing happens to him, its simply not referred to again !. In playing down the horror element, and playing up the crime element, the producers missed an opportunity to produce a piece of contemporary horror, and instead produced a cheap looking Mockney version of Miami Vice. Most of the people involved leave this off their c.v.'s. I'd certainly leave it off your shopping list.

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.

A mixed bag.

On the positive side, it was written by Clive Barker and has a number of his recurring themes and ideas. The central concept of a drug that externalizes the ugliness of addiction is quite compelling and had a lot of potential.

The colors, costumes, and atmosphere are otherworldly and impressive when you consider the low budget.

Denholm Elliott (from Indiana freaking Jones) is one of the villains and really helps elevate the film.

Also, the soundtrack is better than it has any right to be. It was done by a synth-pop-rock band called Freur. Interestingly, Freur later changed their name to Underworld.

On the negative side, many of the actors seem to be sleepwalking their way through the film. It's no wonder because the script does not include character development. There's a handful of clever lines but nothing to make you connect with any of these zombies. Many characters make impossibly dumb decisions in service of the plot.

At the end of the day, it's both underrated, and you can skip it.

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.