Review: Nemesis (Box Set)
Blu-ray: Nemesis Box Set (1992-96)
What an odd quadrilogy of films the Nemesis universe is. Directed (and mostly) written by infamous ‘cannon fodder’ Albert Pyun they’re a glaring mishmash of many influences. Parts 2 (made from the left overs of 1), 3 and 4 are centred around female protagonist (bodybuilder Sue Price, whopping thighs), who tends to pant quite a bit and run away a lot. In fact the last 3 films really reminded me in tone of the Fallout video game series; wandering around a lot in the heat and battling robots, mainly Tim Thomerson’s evil Farnsworth who’s a new type of ultimate robot.
Apparently the original idea for Nemesis was a 13 year old girl as the hero, but after discovering French former kick boxer/special forces Oliver Gruner, it was decided that the hero of Nemesis would now be a 30 year old male.
Alex Raine (Olivier Gruner) is ’86.5% human and works for a futuristic LAPD. During a routine mission, he is attacked by a group freedom fighters (who look more like models) known as The Red Army Hammerheads. Left for dead he’s reconstructed, and on recovery he travels to Mexico to find the woman who tried to kill him. After getting injured again, his old boss Farnsworth, ‘persuades’ him to do one last job.
First up, 101 Films transfer of all the films should be applauded, as despite the antiquated effects, these films look and sound pristine. The actual content of the films is, at times confusing. This could be yet another crap B movie, the acting in them is sometimes atricious, so bad it’s not even funny, first prize going to Deborah Shelton who, plastic boobs ahoy, screams and drips with sweat like… a sweaty… fake boobied fish wife (tone it down love), though it was quite nice to see a VERY young acned Thomas Jane trying to shag her, and succeeding.
At times part ‘Aliens’, then ‘Blade Runner’ with a bit of every other film Pyun made before it, including every contemporary blockbuster, at the end of it there is a slight hint of something more in this film; it’s got the bare bones of story, that given the right director and a shit load of money this could have been a truly great Sci-Fi film. Because just when you think this is really terrible, a slight twist in the plot makes you think there’s a lot more to this film.
I’m ashamed to say I’d never seen any of the Nemesis films before, but 101 Films must be congratulated for taking these old ‘cult’ movies and giving them a new lease of life. I could bemoan the lack of extras, and perhaps that’s something 101 will begin to add to their future releases.
Review by Tina (co-host of 60 Minutes With) from discs kindly supplied by 101 Films.
