Split Second is a sometimes cheesy, even messy, low budget cross between science fiction, buddy cop comedy and horror that works thanks to Rutger Hauer’s committed performance and at least some interesting cinematography copying the aesthetics from Blade Runner.
Split Second
— MVD Rewind Collection —
(1992)
Genre(s): Science Fiction, Horror, Action, Comedy
MVD Entertainment Group | R – 91 min. – $34.95 | August 11, 2020
Date Published: 10/09/2020 | Author: The Movieman
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MVD Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.
THE MOVIE — 3/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: In the year 2008, the cops are better armed than before, but nothing has prepared them for this. Swift, sharp-clawed and deadly, something moves among them on the streets, in the alleyways, on the rooftops, tearing out human hearts and devouring them. Maverick cop “Harley” Stone (RUTGER HAUER) lost his partner to the beast, and now it looks like his girlfriend Michelle (KIM CATTRALL) is next on the killer’s list. Even in the future, there aren’t guns big enough to stop the creature’s deadly force, but Stone has no choice. Teamed with rookie detective Durkin (ALASTAIR DUNCAN), Stone must stalk the edge of his own sanity if he is to destroy the rampaging Evil on the outside and banish the very real demons within.
Quick Hit Review: Split Second is a really weird hybrid of genres. Part dystopian science fiction, mixed with some buddy cop comedy and a bit of horror thrown in for bad measure. Not sure what the budget was for this, but they tried their damndest to, at least early on, replicate (no pun intended) Blade Runner given how the DP shot it, before it took a right turn into 48 HRS territory with the gruff veteran cop having a young buck following him around. And by the end, for the few moments we see the monster, which is prominently shown on the poster, goes a bit Alien or, for a more recent example, Venom even. In terms of the supporting cast, Alastair Duncan (credited as Neil Duncan) had some fun quips opposite Hauer and never a bad thing at all seeing Kim Cattrall whose character isn’t terribly fleshed out but she does provide that 1990s eye candy. Both Duncan and Cattrall serve well for the story and do what they can with the thin character development, although the Japanese version of the film does show Derkins’s domestic life with his girlfriend (the actress is credited even though her scenes were entirely removed).
Now, while none of the genres exactly mixed well together, I did generally like Rutger Hauer in the lead here, huffing and puffing his way through as the grizzled offbeat detective who is certainly going a bit crazy, to the point I wonder how valuable his character being the best man on the force would have gotten him off suspension. So even though characters don’t make a whole lot of sense, and the plot even less so (no idea how this creature was able to do the things it does, like driving a car, capturing and tying up the damsel, etc with his gangling claws), I did find myself entertained. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 4½/5 |
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This is part of the “MVD Rewind Collection” (#24) and comes with a matted slip cover and newly designed cover artwork. Inside is a foldout mini-poster and the interior sleeve is reversible, the other side is the original poster artwork. Audio Commentary – Film Historian Mike Leeder and Filmmaker Arne Venena. A cordial but informative track recorded for this release. They breakdown the production delays until Hauer signed on and discusses the plot and characters. Interviews:
A really good array of interviewees here, and totaled together, over two-hours worth of material, you get a good perspectives from those involved nearly 30 years later. Original 1992 Making Of (6:26) is a cheesy production featurette with on-set interviews by the cast. Original 1992 Behind the Scenes (3:40) is just some footage of various things like putting together the creature costume, cast and extras sitting around between takes, etc. Extended Japanese Cut (1:36:09) is a few minutes longer and adds in a character who was cut from the theatrical version, though still is credited in the end credits. Nice to have but bad transfer and built-in Japanese subtitles. Deleted Scenes (4:41) from the Japanese Cut, so you don’t have to watch the feature to see what was cut out. Rounding things out are 7 Promotional Clips (12:13) and U.S. VHS Home Video Promo (2:36). |
VIDEO – 3¾/5 |
| Split Second debuts on Blu-ray (at least in North America) as part of MVD’s “Rewind Collection” and is presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and 1080p high-definition transfer. While this is hardly a pristine video as it is littered with specs and general film damage, it’s still not at all half bad. Detail is somewhat well defined and there some splashes of colors amongst the darkly lit sets. |
AUDIO – 3¾/5 |
| The disc comes with a PCM Stereo track which is serviceable, with dialogue coming through with okay clarity and the more action-centric elements comes across fairly nicely. That said, even by the standards of stereo tracks, there’s not a whole lot of depth for those sequences, however I didn’t notice much in the way of pops or hisses. |
OVERALL – 3½/5 |
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Split Second is a sometimes cheesy, even messy, low budget cross between science fiction, buddy cop comedy and horror that works thanks to Rutger Hauer’s committed performance and at least some interesting cinematography copying some of the aesthetics from Blade Runner. This Blu-ray from MVD offers up flawed but respectable video and audio transfers alongside a good selection of bonus features. |
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.