Cast
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Dylan McDermott
as Moses "Hard Mo" Baxter
Stacey Travis
as Jill
John Lynch
as Shades
William Hootkins
as Lincoln Wineberg Jr.
Carl McCoy
as Nomad
Iggy Pop
as Angry Bob
Mark Northover
as Alvy
Paul McKenzie
as Vernon
Oscar James
as Chief
Lemmy Kilmister
as Taxi Driver
Mac McDonald
as Newscaster
Chris McHallem
as Premier Boelgaxof
Barbara Yu Ling
as Chinese Mother
Arnold Lee
as Chinese Family
Susie Savage
as Chinese Family - Susie Ng
Crew
Director
- Richard Stanley
Writer
- Richard Stanley
Producer
- Ray Corbett
- JoAnne Sellar
- Paul Trijbits
- Elizabeth Karlsen
Reviews
nihil
IMO - It's not terrible but not a masterpiece either. I personally liked the villain robot, and a lot of the movies' aesthetics were just pure eye candy.
That aside, the movie was a little too slow paced for the style that it was going with, and some of the music and sound effects were a little silly.
You get to listen to Iggy say a few amusing lines on the radio in the beginning and the end of the movie.
Overall, not bad, a little boring at times. A good watch if you're into cyberpunk.
Sep 1, 2012
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Science Fiction/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Hardware presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Richard Stanley brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1990, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Hardware took approximately 3 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $1.5 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 93 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 113 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The costume department created over 492 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 8 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1990, when this film was released:
- Digital technology was transforming the entertainment industry.
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Hardware shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Freaks, which focuses more on action than character development, Hardware subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Akira and Population Purge explore similar territory, Hardware stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 14, 1990
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Budget: $1,500,000
- Revenue: $5,728,953
