Is it possible to review a film using just one word? Is it possible to sum up two hours of storytelling with one single word? If so, then my word to describe CIRCUITRY MAN 2: PLUGHEAD REWIRED would be "bloody amazing".
Imagine, my friends, the world of the future. Imagine a world where technology has run riot. Imagine a world where man's constant tampering has led to climate change and ecological disaster on an international scale. Imagine, if you will, a post apocalyptic hinterland populated by scum and bastards.
Now, imagine no more, because CIRCUITRY MAN 2: PLUGHEAD REWIRED shows you this world in stunning colour. You can see the wilderness, you can meet the strange and wonderful characters. You can almost feel the heat from the cruel sun beating down on your neck, bringing you out in small beads of sweat.
In the centre of this harsh wilderness lives Plughead, the world's most dangerous synthetic, lurking in the heart of the darkness like Colonel Kurtz in Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now". A powerful performance from Hollywood star Vernon Wells lies at the cornerstone of this movie. Full of brooding and menace, a deformed monster with evil intentions. It reminded me of Shakespeare's King Richard III, but instead of offering "A horse, a horse. My kingdom for a horse" all Plughead has to offer is pain, misery and psycho-domination, aided by his unwilling and beautiful assistant (Traci Lords playing against type).
Fighting against Plughead is the handsome and charismatic Danner, the titular "Circuitry Man". A biosynthetic built for pleasure, his distinct style holds the key to defeating the evil Plughead. In one memorable scene Danner and his party are attacked by marauders. While the others want to fight their way out of the situation, Danner suggest a peaceful approach, and only wants to talk. How ironic, that an artificial man can show more humanity than the so called "real" humans. What does this make Danner? Something more than human? The paradoxical theme that the synthetic Danner, played with panache and some considerable style by Jim Metzler, is capable of expressing real sensitivity and feelings is further explored in a tastefully done love scene with his female police colleague.
Finishing off this ensemble are two police officers trying to locate Plughead's lair. The fact that they never find it, never meet Plughead or Danner, and have no effect at all on the outcome of the movie, might lead some to question the point of these characters even being in the film, but their genuinely witty banter provides essential comic relief from the unrelentingly grim tone of the rest of the film. Their adventures bring to mind the legendary Don Quixote and his faithful squire Sancho Panza, but instead of medieval Spain, this is future Brazil, and instead of encountering windmills and giants, this world is full of mutants, brigands and the foul Plughead himself.
As the film rushes towards an unforgettable and stunning climax the clever script is brimming with eminently quotable one liners (my personal favourite is "Why jack-off when you can jack-in?"), and the acting is top rate throughout.
What can I say about CIRCUITRY MAN 2: PLUGHEAD REWIRED? I've never felt this way after watching a film before. This film is poetry, this film is philosophy, this film is prophecy. Are you prepared to face this harsh warning from the future? If you are then welcome friend to a brave new world, because I guarantee that after watching CIRCUITRY MAN 2: PLUGHEAD REWIRED things will never ever be the same again.
