I think the other reviewers have been a bit harsh. Yes, there is little blood and no nudity whatsoever. Yes, the execution is pretty tame. Yes, there are plot holes you could drive a truck through.
But the outcome might have been different, had the movie been produced by others. The story centers on experiments in non-surgical neurological rewiring, disguised as a college professor's lab experiments. A chilling concept, when you think about it: the ability to transform just about anyone into a murderous pawn, without drugs and without surgery. (Echoes of The Manchurian Candidate, no?)
Unfortunately, the creators never fully follow through on this, or several other plot threads. We never learn the true purpose behind the experiments (funded by some sort of biotech company). How is the detective's partner drawn into the conspiracy--mind control, or just a hired gun? The feds are brought into the case, and take over the official investigation...but it's mentioned once and then abandoned. The professor clobbers a bouncer with a beer bottle (oh, JEEZ...is he going to become a killbot himself?) but nothing comes of it.
I've seen some real clinkers from Crown International (Malibu High and Cindy & Donna come to mind), but Brain Twisters at least has the germ of a contextually plausible story.
And that's what kills me: it may have been a lack of writing and directing talent, of money, of time...but I think the basic concept of Brain Twisters is solid, and could resonate today. Conceptually, it's not a big jump from mind control via video games, to mind control via Fox News (or MSNBC, depending on your own political persuasion).
Oh, what might have been...
But the outcome might have been different, had the movie been produced by others. The story centers on experiments in non-surgical neurological rewiring, disguised as a college professor's lab experiments. A chilling concept, when you think about it: the ability to transform just about anyone into a murderous pawn, without drugs and without surgery. (Echoes of The Manchurian Candidate, no?)
Unfortunately, the creators never fully follow through on this, or several other plot threads. We never learn the true purpose behind the experiments (funded by some sort of biotech company). How is the detective's partner drawn into the conspiracy--mind control, or just a hired gun? The feds are brought into the case, and take over the official investigation...but it's mentioned once and then abandoned. The professor clobbers a bouncer with a beer bottle (oh, JEEZ...is he going to become a killbot himself?) but nothing comes of it.
I've seen some real clinkers from Crown International (Malibu High and Cindy & Donna come to mind), but Brain Twisters at least has the germ of a contextually plausible story.
And that's what kills me: it may have been a lack of writing and directing talent, of money, of time...but I think the basic concept of Brain Twisters is solid, and could resonate today. Conceptually, it's not a big jump from mind control via video games, to mind control via Fox News (or MSNBC, depending on your own political persuasion).
Oh, what might have been...