Skip to content

NEMESIS

Written By:

Grant Kempster
MV5BNzE1Y2Y3MTYtZGY0ZC00MTMxLThmMDMtND

In 2027, Los Angeles is a wasteland populated by cyber-altered humans and Goddamn cyborgs. It’s a battle for supremacy where the only line of defence is the police force. Or at least that’s how it seems. As cyborg cop Alex (Arnie wannabe, Olivier Gruner) tracks down a cell of Goddamn terrorist cyborgs, he unwittingly becomes embroiled in a deeper plot that threatens to shake his loyalties and question what it is to be human.

Let’s cut to the chase: Director Albert Pyun’s original concept was a solid one, especially for 1992. But while Pyun was intent on paying homage to the epic sci-fi films of the era, the minimal budget served only to expose the film’s weaknesses. That said, what they accomplished with what little they had, was exemplary, it just wasn’t enough to stop this feeling like a B-movie actioner that wanted so much to be Blade Runner. Then Terminator. Then Robocop. Then Rambo… you get the idea.

The cast is equally hit and miss. Gruner is staggeringly miscast – while he looks the part, he is required to act here and it’s clearly not one of his strengths. Thank God then for Tim Thomerson who elevates the film every time he appears on screen, while genre legend Brion James plays accent roulette again, this time settling on German. Also, keep your eyes peeled for a young (and very naked) Thomas Jane.

All of that said, the main event kicks in once the film ends as this release by MVD has a staggering amount of content. The gorgeous retro VHS O-Ring reveals a two-disc edition that features a Blu-ray and DVD. The former has an incredible 1080p transfer of the original cut in both 2.35:1 and 1.78:1 ratios. It also features brand new interviews with Pyun and producer Eric Karson that shed some interesting light on the project and how Pyun effectively sold its soul to get it made (by agreeing to change the protagonist from a 13-year-old girl to an unintelligible French male kickboxer). The disc also features the 2012 Director’s Cut of the film, featuring new CG moments and no unintentionally hilarious voice over by Gruner (dubbed Nemesis 2.0) with director’s commentary. But here’s the rub – the quality of the transfer is so bad, it’s almost sub-VHS, and as such it’s a very difficult watch.

So what’s the DVD for? Well, that Goddamn awful transfer is back sans Commentary, accompanied by the extended Japanese Cut (which is better quality than 2.0 but still not hi-def) and a flurry of extras compiled for a previous Nemesis box set, including original Behind the Scenes featurettes, Introduction by Pyun and Gruner, Photo Galleries and Pyun’s Afterword.

If 90s sci-fi actioners are your thing (and, frankly, why wouldn’t they be?) and you can handle the constant repetition of the word ‘Goddamn’, then this is for you. It might not be a cult classic, but Nemesis still qualifies as a guilty pleasure.

NEMESIS / CERT: UNRATED (USA) / DIRECTOR: ALBERT PYUN / SCREENPLAY: REBECCA CHARLES / STARRING: OLIVIER GRUNER, TIM THOMERSON, CARY-HIROYUKI TAGAWA, BRION JAMES / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

Grant Kempster

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More