HORROR DVD/BLU-RAY REVIEWS

In the near future, the world has gotten super strict and everything has been regulated. Who’s doing to regulatin? Eyeborgs.

So what the hell is an eyeborg? Is it as big of a rip-off as it sounds? Is it is sequel to the old Van Damme movie? Well, no and no (though if it had had that big-jawed bad guy from Damme’s movie it would’ve been great). Actually, it’s not that difficult to explain. In the near future, homeland security has turned over protection power to robots called eyeborgs, which look like metal spiders with a single camera eye. They’re supposed to be out patrolling and keeping things safe for good ol’ USA but these wacky robots attack the president’s nephew and suddenly everyone thinks terrorists are after the president. So here come homeland security and the media to protect the kid while people connected to the nephew keep getting knocked off the evil robots.

Now I could be wrong, but I’d wager the writers were heavily influenced by Robocop as not only the themes are quite similar, but Eyeborgs also loves the false news reports to help viewers understand the world the eyeborgs inhabit. Moreover, this movie wants to be a sci-fi film heavy on the social commentary which it does achieve with strong points about government takeover, fear mongering, and the media, but the best and most topical idea expressed is the old idea of Big Brother watching. Ok, so that’s nothing new but with cameras everywhere and anywhere, the idea of being alone at anytime seems in jeopardy. My favorite scene (beyond a kick-ass fall sequence in a mall) which underscores this idea is where a couple sit in a car at night. The guy brings out a baggy and they both sniff it. No, not drugs. Tobacco. Mmm. Nothing like outlawed smokes. That is until the eyeborgs get them.

However, there are some problems. I won’t knock the CGI of the robots because this is a low-budget fair. Actually, the effects look quite good and at times pretty impressive. What drove me nuts is the time period. If it takes place in the future, why does everyone seem to drive a late-90’s model car? If this isn’t the future, is it an alternative reality? If it is, perhaps they should’ve made a stronger point to that fact. As it stands, it just speaks to the cheapness of the thing. My other problem is one I write of often. Subtly. Everything feels and sounds over the top. It’s important to drive a message home, but do so without slapping viewers over the head. Of course, these are just minor bitches which seems to be my specialty. It’s just how I roll.

Video: A semi-crisp and clear 16x9 Widescreen presentation. The thing looks great. 1080 HD.

Audio: Presented with the power of 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio

Behind the Scenes: About 30 minutes worth of four features which focus on the story, the stunts, the CGI, and a panel discussion of the robots in three minutes. Good and interesting, especially for fans of the low-b stuff.

Deleted Scenes: A grand total of six deleted scenes.

It might take awhile, but if you can stick with it, Eyeborgs is a pretty decent little flick that looks great and actually strives to say and show something beyond blood and guts. Cheesy, yes, but entertaining with effective acting.