Circuitry Man (1990)

Director:

Steven Lovy

Writers:

Robert Lovy (writer)
Steven Lovy (writer)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The final frontier is not outer space. It is the human mind.

Plot:

In a future where most humans have moved underground to escape the pollution, one of the few pleasures...

Plot Keywords:

Showdown | Post Apocalyptic | Switchblade | Flaming Sword | Corruption

Cast

Jim Metzler	...	Danner
Dana Wheeler-Nicholson	...	Lori
Lu Leonard	...	Juice
Vernon Wells	...	Plughead
Barbara Alyn Woods	...	Yoyo
Dennis Christopher	...	Leech
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Steven Bottomley	...	Bartender
Barney Burman	...	Cheater
Andy Goldberg	...	Squid
Garry Goodrow	...	Jugs
Amy Hill	...	Bartender (Oxy Hill)
Deborah Holland	...	Singer
Steve Hunter	...	Medic Attendant
Darren A. Lott	...	Jackee
Karen Maruyama	...	Biker Bandit
Steven Reich	...	Medic
Andrew Steel	...	Trucker
Jerry Tondo	...	Fatch
Manu Tupou	...	Mahi
Paul Willson	...	Beany

Also Known As:

Circulatory Man

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:15 (video premiere) | USA:R | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

IRS Media

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end of the movie, where Leech is held at knife point, he clearly holds his cigar in his left hand, as the assailant forces him to his knees. When the camera angle changes from side to front, the cigar is in his mouth.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Plughead Rewired: Circuitry Man II (1994)

Ok Sci-fi

This movie's somewhat mundane title disguises a story that is both entertaining and imaginative. Clearly operating on a limited budget, the movie draws on sci-fi staples such as BLADE RUNNER and the MAD MAX movies to furnish a tight little chase plot that, while never setting off any fireworks, manages to keep you hooked until the closing credits. CIRCUITRY MAN'S big brothers did things better, but what this movie lacks in budget it more than makes up for in terms of enthusiasm and inventiveness.

Set in a world in which the air is unbreathable and the bulk of the population lives underground, the story concerns the attempts of a former female bodyguard (Dana Wheeler-Nicholson) to deliver a briefcase of computer chips to an underworld connection in New York, aided by a male-gigolo robot (Jim Metzler). Attempting to stop her are a wonderfully malevolent villain named Plughead ( a charismatic performance from Vernon Wells) and a couple of bumbling policeman (one of whom fans of CHEERS will recognise as Paul Willson, the actor who plays Paul). The storyline is threaded with nice humorous touches throughout, and aided by a soundtrack by Deborah Holland that is unusual for this kind of movie, but which works well.

CIRCUITRY MAN is proof, if ever it was needed, that a lack of budget does not have to restrict the imagination of writers and directors. See it if you get the chance.