Crash and Burn (Video 1990)

Unicom is a powerful organization overseeing most of the world after its economic collapse. They have banned computers and robots in an attempt to insure "life, liberty, and the pursuit of ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Band

Writer:

J.S. Cardone

Stars:

Paul Ganus, Megan Ward, Ralph Waite

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Paul Ganus	...	Tyson Keen
Megan Ward	...	Arren
Ralph Waite	...	Lathan Hooks
Bill Moseley	...	Quinn
Eva La Rue	...	Parice
Jack McGee	...	Winston Wickett
Elizabeth Maclellan	...	Sandra
Katherine Armstrong	...	Christie
John Davis Chandler	...	Bud
Kristopher Logan	...	Scratch

Storyline

Unicom is a powerful organization overseeing most of the world after its economic collapse. They have banned computers and robots in an attempt to insure "life, liberty, and the pursuit of economic stability". When a Unicom Synth robot infiltrates a southwest TV station and kills the manager, a revolutionary against the gestapo-like corporation, a lowly Unicom delivery man must help the rest of the station survive through the incoming "thermal storm".

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Plot Keywords:

robot | android | evil robot | female nudity | post apocalypse

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Taglines:

The weapons of the future are alive...

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kampf der Roboter

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Full Moon Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Reflected in the window behind Quinn when Winston is looking for Arren in the dark.

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Connections

References Pinocchio (1940)

User Reviews

One of Fullmoons better outings.

The year is 2030, a remote TV station has been infiltrated by a Synthoid, a Terminator-like robot who is programmed to kill those who oppose the tyrannical Unicom organization.

With B film execution Crash and Burn steals some concept elements from Class of 1999, The Terminator, Robocop, Blade Runner and The Thing to name a few. Although it's slow-paced there's room for a gratuitous shower, electrocution scene, shogun action and stop motion animation, anyone familiar with the studio offerings will appreciate the pace and tone. Oddly dubiously marketed as Robot Jox 2 or from the makers of Arena (don't expect the fights of Arena or Jox) as it contains less than a minute of giant Robot action.

Director Charles Band (this generations Roger Corman) gives a tight little flick that benefits from being filmed on location giving it an almost cinematic feel. The shadowy setting gives it some atmosphere with a dusty desert setting bookending the film and the Synthoid is menacing at times - realised by some surprisingly good practical special make-up effects. Despite borrowing music cues from Richard Band's other Fullmoon film scores the music is effective enough.

Lead Paul Ganus as Keen wields a shotgun well enough but he looks like he's just walked off a Danielle Steele TV adaptation. Co-star Megan Ward as Arren gives a solid performance considering the sparse script. Supporting cast include Jack McGee and veteran actor Ralph Waite, Eva La Rue gives physical performances (and like Ward went on to do bigger things). There's also some genuinely humours lines from Bill Moseley as Quinn who ensures the title of the film is uttered in J.S. Cardone's dialogue.

Even though Crash and Burn doesn't pretend to be more than it is the casual viewer may be disappointed. All things considered, even with the future looking suspiciously like the 1980s, right down to the computer hardware, braces and hairdos it's one of Fullmoons better outings.