Digital Man (1995)

An out-of-control robot is inadvertently set loose in a small community, and a crack squad of soldiers are sent to hunt it down. Gradually, the members of the squad begin to suspect that some of them are robots.

Director:

Phillip J. Roth

Writers:

Phillip J. Roth (screenplay), Phillip J. Roth (story)

Stars:

Ken Olandt, Kristen Dalton, Adam Baldwin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ken Olandt	...	Sergeant Anders
Kristen Dalton	...	Gena
Adam Baldwin	...	Captain West
Matthias Hues	...	Digital Man
Paul Gleason	...	Dr. Parker
Ed Lauter	...	General Roberts
Don Swayze	...	Billy
Chase Masterson	...	Susie
Sherman Augustus	...	Jackson
Woon Young Park	...	Woon
Megan Blake	...	Lt. Thompson
R.J. Bonds	...	Co-Pilot #1
Philip Bruns	...	Bob
Joe Cook	...	Long
Cliff Emmich	...	Sheriff

Storyline

An out-of-control robot is inadvertently set loose in a small community, and a crack squad of soldiers are sent to hunt it down. Gradually, the members of the squad begin to suspect that some of them are robots.

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Plot Keywords:

killer robot | terminator | android | robot pretending to be human | android pretending to be human | 

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Taglines:

Built for war. Programmed to win. Now he's online...and out of control

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for futuristic military violence and some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

While filming the scene wherein Digital Man blows up a house, Matthias Hues was unnerved by how the rest of the crew took cover outside of a 500 yard radius, giving him the impression that the stunt was potentially too dangerous. Director Phillip J. Roth assuaged him by agreeing to stand parallel to him when the explosion went off, demonstrating his confidence that the stunt was safe. Neither were hurt.

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Quotes

Billy: [comes out with a shotgun in hand and is startled to see Digital Man messing with his satellite dish] What the hell are you doing?!
Digital Man: [identifies Billy as a civilian and goes to "civilian mode"] I must use this uplink to transmit launch code data, with your assistance. Your connection will be temporarily cut off for this process. Thank you. Have a nice day.
Billy: [puzzled] Huh? I ain't assisting you with nothing, ya' crazy bastard, now get ya' damn hands off my satellite dish.
Digital Man: I must transmit launch codes. I...
[...]

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Soundtracks

AFTER THE RODEO
Performed by Frank & Ernest Crow
Written by Jim Goodwin & Leslie Bohem (as Les Bohem)
Tileface Music, BMI & Atomic Passion, BMI

User Reviews

Fairly typical sci fi action cheapie

This was my second Philip J. Roth picture in three days, after A.P.E.X., which was also his previous film to this one. Digital Man does some things better and some things worse, mostly it's just stolidly competent. The story boils down to the old saw of a crack military team attempting to take down a renegade robot, although there's context and a spot of complication wrapped around the basic events. Nothing too sophisticated but it at least provides a mild interest to sustain things, which comes in handy once the umpteenth round of gunfire and explosions get tiresome. Set on the outskirts of a desert town there's a feel of arid isolation here that works well as a backdrop and contrasts with the larger than life, bumptious characters, the setting and the more humorous than average writing as well as faint flashes of emotional connection or suspense are the biggest advantages here. Well, fans of explosions and ludicrous guns will be pleased by the frequent pyrotechnics and comically huge weaponry on display. The acting just about conveys the appropriate sense of battle hardened veterans, the anonymous likes of Ken Olandt, Kristen Dalton and Sherman Augustus fill their roles with a kind of solid bad-assery, though the main plaudits go to Don Swayze as a daft redneck and Adam Baldwin as a military bigwig. Swayze is fitfully amusing in his utterly clichéd role, while Baldwin has the right sort of brusque authority to convince. The titular digital man is played by Matthias Hues, he has nothing to do other than walk around slowly and look tough, this he does in fine fashion, being a pretty imposing sized guy. Oh, and there are little cameos for the quirky Clint Howard and scenery chewing favourite Susan Tyrell (Night Warning). All in all nothing to write home about performance wise but everyone is suitably committed. Like A.P.E.X. the one black character is an obnoxious caricature which is a bit sad, but I don't tend to look for sensitivity in these sorts of junk flicks anyhow. Broadly speaking this is worth watching if you go for this sort of low grade sci fi action, I suspect I would have liked it more had I seen it a decade or so back when I first caught sight of the video box in a local rental place but despite its problems I was still glad to finally see it. Occasionally decent in both action and effects, with amusing old school cheap cgi and one or two brief but neat robotic effects, there's just about enough to go on even though its never any great shakes. Worth a watch if nothing else is on and you like the genre

Details

Official Sites:

Green Communications [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 September 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Digital Man

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Green Communications, Sci-Fi Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color