The Lawnmower Man (New Line Platinum Series)

Amazon.com

In 1992, The Lawnmower Man was hailed as a CGI (computer-generated image) breakthrough. It's fascinating to consider it in a historical context, knowing it came just a year after Terminator 2: Judgment Day and was followed by Jurassic Park a year later. Written and directed by Brett Leonard, The Lawnmower Man focuses on a scientist (Pierce Brosnan) trying to utilize technology for governmental gain. As with all top-secret government projects in the movies, it goes horribly wrong. Forced to progress from a chimp to a human subject, Brosnan secretly recruits local backwards boy and lawnmower pusher Jobe (Jeff Fahey). The increases in intelligence are alarming. He learns Latin in two hours, becomes an object of sexual desire (apparently all it takes is cowboy boots), and then develops telepathic and telekinetic abilities. What the film ought to be remembered and appreciated for are the visuals, which undoubtedly advanced the arcade and home computer game industry. --Paul Tonks

Customer Reviews:

Where is the Director's Cut?.......2007-04-25

When this movie was first released on VHS I immediately noticed an inconsistancy. When you looked at the length of the movie on the video case it had the same length as is listed on amazon at 108 mins. However if you actually sat down and watched the VHS release, it was actually about 2 1/2 hours long. Then I bought myself a VHS copy of the film and again I found that it was a version far longer than indicated on the video case. When I bought this movie on DVD it again said that the movie was 108 minutes long, I assumed it was the same as the VHS had been with the same inconsistancy. I was very wrong. When I watched the DVD, it was not an extended or a director's cut of the film. It was the original 108 minute theatrical release of the film. I was so disappointed to see so much footage cut away from the film which I had seen on the VHS release, that I returned the DVD right away to where I had purchased it from. I am keeping my VHS copy of this film, and I am waiting for the extended director's cut to be released on DVD before I buy it in that format. If anyone knows anything about this, let me know.

Lawnmower Man .......2007-04-08

If you haven't seen this you should. Great movie. Never get tired of seeing it. I think any age could watch this.

Excellent movie! Great graphics for it's time!.......2006-11-19

'The Lawnmower Man' was an excellent, well made, entertaining sci-fi film on the subject of virtual reality and artificial brain enhancement gone wrong. It's pathetic that so many reviewers dis the film's graphics and effects, based on a comparative basis with recent technology and modern graphics. People, this film came out in 1992, not 2006! These WERE state-of-the-art graphics 14 years ago. Why compare? In any case, ignore the naysayers, and rent or buy this DVD. You won't regret it!

SHORT STORY AND MOVIE?? NOT THE SAME 'CUT'..........2006-04-29

I'm not going to do a synopsis of this movie since many reviewers already have... But I would like to point out one thing... The short story and the movie are to be related in the title name only... The content of the short story and the movie are so vastly different, one wonders why Mr. King's name is even associated with this movie except maybe for the title credit only... The short story and the movie are good in their own individual way but in no way shape or form can be compared to each other... I would think that if one were to see the movie and than take time to read the short story, one would see my point... I applaud the movie for it's own take on the story yet there is still very little relation... The lawn mower is the 'bad guy' in the story while the lawn mower man turns 'bad' during the course of the movie... Both are pretty good just different...

Virtual reality empowed the lawnmower man, and it can work for you as well.......2006-04-09

This movie inspired me.
It has beautiful computer-generated visual special effects.
The plot is about a guy who is not very smart. But he plugs into a virtual reality world and he becomes intelligent.
He tries all possible ways to gain access and finds a back door that allows him to ring all the phones in the world.
In a way, you can do the same thing with the internet.
You can find information about all things in life that interest you and become empowered, more intelligent and successful.
I strongly recommend this movie.

Sci-Fi Double Feature: Lawnmower Man/Lawnmower Man 2

Average customer rating:

Virtual Reality at its scary best.!
Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality: from potential to danger
Was hoping for better versions.
PAN & SCAN, WORTHLESS!!!

Sci-Fi Double Feature: Lawnmower Man/Lawnmower Man 2
Starring: Jeff Fahey , Pierce Brosnan , Jenny Wright , Mark Bringleson , and Geoffrey Lewis
Director: Brett Leonard , and Farhad Mann
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000BVM1RI
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Customer Reviews:

Virtual Reality at its scary best.!.......2007-09-14

This DVD is a double feature. The 1992 Lawnmower Man stars Jeff Fahey and Pierce Brosnan. Brosnan plays a scientist (Dr. Larry Angelo)who is developing a Virtual Reality software that he hopes to put to good use in waking up brain cells. He experimented on animals, but found alarming and horrifying results. The neighborhood lawnmowing guy, Jobe (Jeff Fahey), who is slightly retarded seems to be the perfect human experiment. Jobe wants to be smarter so people won't take advantage of him, so he agrees to be the "guinea pig". Almost instantly Jobe becomes smarter, but with horrible side effects. Corporate America, whose only interest is in the money making aspect, wants to continue the experiment no matter what the human cost is. Jobe becomes a Dr. Jekyll-and-Mr. Hyde character. This movie takes you on a wild virtual reality journey that has not only aspects of sci-fi, but horror as well. I would have given it 5 stars had The Lawnmower Man just been a solo. The added feature, Lawnmower Man 2--Jobe's War, was a complete waste of watching! The two stars, Brosnan and Fahey were missing and were desparately needed to pull this film through. Jobe's War delt with the out of control now genius character, Jobe and his revenge against anyone that did him wrong. The way Amazon packaged these two films is good in that for just a couple dollars more, you can get the double feature. However, save yourself the agony of watching the second. This just proves that the original movie is usually better than the sequel.

Virtual Reality.......2007-06-09

Excellent movies to watch especially those who like films about virtual reality films.

Virtual Reality: from potential to danger.......2006-05-17

THE LAWNMOWER MAN
Virtual reality is the future of this world. At least that's what we all believed in 1991-1992. Today we would be more cautious. The film demonstrates this potential virtual reality has, but associated to some chemical, hence in a very unnatural way. It can wake up brain cells that have been dormant forever or for ages. It can multiply the learning power of a subject. It can also - that's what the film asserts - enhance the extra-sensorial powers of the brain. So far will I say we are on Strephen King's line. But here we depart and we can understand why Stephen King denied his paternity. The film becomes a horror film about rotten corporations in alliance with just as rotten administrative services of the government and with similarly rotten ambitious individuals, scientists or not, who are ready to use simple human beings, particularly retarded ones to experiement a drug and a treatment without any guarantee. This will eventually turn into a drama and the poor retarded boy who had suddenly become super intelligent will become a mixture of a justice maker, an avenger, and an illuminated prophet, whereas the scientist will try to do the same and destroy his work since it is so un-human and dangerous. We thus more or less end up in fear.

THE LAWNMOWER MAN (2)
This second episode wants to be the end, I mean termination, of the first episode, and both illustrate the fear that was present at the end of the first episode and the possibility to get rid of the danger that virtual reality represents now, because now there is no potential, just danger. In a few years the dominant opinion on virtual reality had changed completely to become a vision of utter destruction for humanity in the hands of all kinds of ambitious social climbers and mentally deranged people. But here the interest is to see where the protection comes from : scientists and engineers, some of them at least, and young people who are otherwise engaged in all kinds of marginal escapistic delinquent activities. The danger is both mental and material. Mental because a new prophet is going to be born thanks to this virtual reality and material because this prophet is going to lead everyone into annihilation. The touching note comes from a dog who is so brilliant that he obeys his master on a TV screen and he can put a CD or CD-Rom in the correct drive and activate it. Touching touchy touchstone, isn't it ?

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Paris Dauphine & University of Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne

Was hoping for better versions........2006-04-02

I picked this up in order to help complete my collection of cyberpunk films. In the back of my mind I was hoping for additional footage, cut scenes, etc.

There is nothing extra here at all. A very poorly done full screen cut and piss poor menu's.

Hopefully one day the DVD will come out in the US will all the additional footage and story additions. Sadly I'm not holding my breath.

PAN & SCAN, WORTHLESS!!!.......2006-02-01

This release isn't worth your time, both films (previously released in widescreen) are full screen here, for some reason. I waited months for this release and put off buying the dirt cheap individual discs, which apparently and now out-of-print and nowhere to be seen. Thanks for nothing, New Line!

Average customer rating:

I Liked It
So horrible it's insulting......
How to Make a Sequel
MAX HEADROOM'S REVENGE
For you "so bad, it's good" entertainment seekers

Lawnmower Man 2 - Jobe's War
Starring: Patrick Bergin , Matt Frewer , Austin O'Brien , Ely Pouget , and Camille Cooper
Director: Farhad Mann
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000AZT7B
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Amazon.com

With computer effects improving on a daily basis, a more visually dazzling Lawnmower Man sequel was inevitable. Ten minutes into Jobe's War (also known as Beyond Cyberspace) you know the CGI is vastly better, even if composite shots and model work aren't! The focus of the effects is still former simpleton Jobe, who's been rescued from the fireball explosions at the first film's end. In a Los Angeles of "the future," he's had both legs amputated, his head is shaved, and he's now played by Matt Frewer. The Virtual Light Institute has Jobe building a chip once designed by disgraced scientist Dr. Trace (Patrick Bergin). Like the original, this sequel is a great snapshot of the special-effects industry of its day. In 1996, the cyber city and bike ride (a homage to Tron) was as good as you got. --Paul Tonks

Description

The sequel to the box office hit The Lawnmower Man takes virtual reality to a new level as four teenagers and a scientist become locked in a power struggle to stop the world from plunging into eternal chaos.

Customer Reviews:

I Liked It.......2006-05-08

Dr. Bejamin Trace creates a brilliant device which allows unhindered access to all sources of electronic information: banks, hospitals, etc. When he questions their motives, the corporation that funded his research take him to court and claim the device as their own. Since Trace -- the only man who can make it work -- takes off to who-knows-where, the corporation pulls a crippled Jobe from the wreckage of the first movie and offer him a job.

Several years down the road, Jobe's secret work has lead to a future that's advanced on the surface, but hides a sad underbelly of poverty and unemployment. Jobe's nearly cracked the networking device, but needs to find Trace for the last crucial bits, so he contacts his old friend Pete, who's cruising the streets with a gang of homeless hackers. Pete's overjoyed that Jobe is alive and tracks the nomadic Trace down in a desert home free of modern convenience, only to learn that Jobe has plans of his own for the networking device. Plans that go far beyond the sharing or stealing of information.

First off, this film is cheap. It was made on a nonexistent budget and skipped out of the theaters before people even knew it existed. But, that aside, it works.

The sets and costumes brilliantly portray a Blade Runner-style future clearly divided between the haves and have-nots. The casting is perfect, from Patrick Bergan's portrayal of Trace as a man shoved around so long he finally ran away from the world, to Eli Pouget as Jobe's doctor who falls for her patient's seeming innocence. But the rowdy gang of kids steal the show. Heck, even Frewer, who I normally don't enjoy, does a decent job.

Farhad Mann deserves credit for a well constructed story with plenty of twists and turns that moves at a perfect pace. And more credit for bringing that script to life on such a meager budget.

There's really only two problems I have with the film.

First, Jobe doesn't gel with the original movie. Frewer's portrayal is of an anarchistic goof along the lines of Batman's Joker, whereas Fahey played him as a twisted Buddha who opperates on a mental level beyond those around him. The performance works, though, if you just approach it as a different character.

Secondly, the VR scenes with actors in front of blue screen suffer when compared to the dated but beautiful cgi of the original. They still look fairly good, superimposing the actors over sprawling cybernetic vistas, but I guess I just miss the gimmick from the first one.

I like this movie. I know many out there don't, but I do. It's a rare sequel that tries to take the story off in a new direction.

So horrible it's insulting.............2005-06-29

...I truly enjoyed the first Lawnmower Man film, it was imaginative and had a plot that really drew you into the movie, and the ending left your spine tingling (the birth-cry of Jobe, all the phones in the world ringing...), so you can imagine how I was excited to watch the sequel in '96...
If you've seen this film, you can also imagine my disappointment, as what could have been a truly great film was turned into the most worthless garbage sequel ever produced!
It has almost nothing to do with the original film, and all of a sudden, we are living in the "world of the future" which featured the kid from the first Lawnmower Man film, who is only a few years older - how'd that happen?
I thought sequels had hit a new low with the gosh-awful Highlander 2 (planet Geist, anyone?), but Lawnmower Man 2 has truly surpassed it by leaps and bounds.
Not only the worst movie ever made, but as the Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons would say, "Worst. Sequel. Ever.".

How to Make a Sequel.......2005-04-29

After you've successfully made a movie that combined thriller and horror elements with state of the art (for that time) special effects, you should make a sequel to your film. Why? To prove that you've hired the most incompetent producers in showbuisiness. Here's how:

Step one: Forget everything that made your original story so appealing and instead rip-off 'Total Recall' and 'Super Mario Brothers'. Yes. Super. Mario. Brothers. The. Movie.

Step 2: Forget logical casting choices and choose someone to fill in the lead that should NEVER fill in the lead. How about Max Headroom, for instance? But this time, make him look like a cross between Gandhi and Jim Carrey's Riddler.

Step 3: Forget logic altogether. Set your story in the distant future even though your original story was set in the present, then cast the same child actor that was in the first movie as the same character, who's obviously only three years older now.

Step 4: Practically ELIMINATE the special effects that literally made your story so interesting in the first place, and limit CGI to crappy backgrounds, so that way people will be able to notice your failures in scripting, story and acting even more.

Once you've accomplished these four steps, you've created a sequel worthy to be called crap. Congratulations!

MAX HEADROOM'S REVENGE.......2005-04-13

Matt Frewer who plays Jobe in this lamebrained sequel got his start on the trendsetting ABC TV series, MAX HEADROOM. While critically acclaimed, the series died a quick death; this must be Frewer's revenge. He takes over the role initiated by Jeff Fahey in the original, and there are times when his manic performance almost makes it work, but overall, I think I would have preferred Fahey back in the role. In the original, at the end of the film, Fahey's body had pretty much disintegrated and we assumed he achieved his goal given the telephone ending. However, the sequel opens with Jobe's body being found in the rubble. Since we've moved into the age of teen oriented movies, the film gives us a ragtag squad of computer geeks, headed up by Austin O'Brien, the only original cast member who returns in his role of a now more mature Peter. Still don't understand how Peter could consider Jobe a friend, after what he did in the first movie, and this penchant to make Jobe more a victim undermines the success of this film. Overworked Patrick Bergin, who has never impressed me with any of his performances, has no action hero presence; Ely Pouget (who portrayed Maggie Evans in NBC'S disastrous Dark Shadows remake) is the only performer who seems to occupy her character. The saving grace is the wonderful special effects which continued to elevate this film as it did the original. You might consider watching the two movies together and they might make the storyline more cohesive? There are worse films out there.

For you "so bad, it's good" entertainment seekers.......2004-02-06

Script: a convoluted mess, Directing: pitiful even for a neophyte, Special FX: Overly dated, Acting: Ranges from bad to wooden... I could go on, but if you're into "so bad, it's good" entertainment, like myself, you'll find this to be pretty enjoyable. The film begins with Jobe being rescued from the blast at the end of part one, then it cuts to the future where the latest advances in virtual reality help rehabilitate his mind and body. After the doctors learn of his brilliance, he is ordered by Walker, a shady businessman, to build a chip that allows people to escape the diseased/crime-ridden real world and live in a cyberspace eden under his rule. Jobe gets ticked off when he finds out Walker wants to take him out and get all the credit for the project, so HE decides to take over the world instead. Then there is this burnt out Mel Gibson-looking scientist and some teenage cyberpunks who don't want neither of them taking over the world and try to stop them both. Believe it or not, I had more fun laughing at this box office bomb than sitting through more recent sci-fi blockbusters like the Matrix sequels. Don't take it seriously and you'll have a good time.

The Lawnmower Man / The Lawnmower Man 2 (Double Feature)

Average customer rating:

The Lawnmower Man / The Lawnmower Man 2 (Double Feature)
Director: Brett Leonard
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000TSUWEW

Average customer rating:

Where is the Director's Cut?
Lawnmower Man
Excellent movie! Great graphics for it's time!
SHORT STORY AND MOVIE?? NOT THE SAME 'CUT'...
Virtual reality empowed the lawnmower man, and it can work for you as well

The Lawnmower Man [Region 2]
Starring: Jeff Fahey , Pierce Brosnan , Jenny Wright , Mark Bringleson , and Geoffrey Lewis
Director: Brett Leonard
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005ARA3

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Where is the Director's Cut?.......2007-04-25

Lawnmower Man .......2007-04-08

If you haven't seen this you should. Great movie. Never get tired of seeing it. I think any age could watch this.

Excellent movie! Great graphics for it's time!.......2006-11-19

SHORT STORY AND MOVIE?? NOT THE SAME 'CUT'..........2006-04-29

Virtual reality empowed the lawnmower man, and it can work for you as well.......2006-04-09

Average customer rating:

Where is the Director's Cut?
Lawnmower Man
Excellent movie! Great graphics for it's time!
SHORT STORY AND MOVIE?? NOT THE SAME 'CUT'...
Virtual reality empowed the lawnmower man, and it can work for you as well

The Lawnmower Man [Region 2]
Starring: Jeff Fahey , Pierce Brosnan , Jenny Wright , Mark Bringleson , and Geoffrey Lewis
Director: Brett Leonard
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00004WN5D

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Where is the Director's Cut?.......2007-04-25

Lawnmower Man .......2007-04-08

If you haven't seen this you should. Great movie. Never get tired of seeing it. I think any age could watch this.

Excellent movie! Great graphics for it's time!.......2006-11-19

SHORT STORY AND MOVIE?? NOT THE SAME 'CUT'..........2006-04-29

Virtual reality empowed the lawnmower man, and it can work for you as well.......2006-04-09

Average customer rating:

Where is the Director's Cut?
Lawnmower Man
Excellent movie! Great graphics for it's time!
SHORT STORY AND MOVIE?? NOT THE SAME 'CUT'...
Virtual reality empowed the lawnmower man, and it can work for you as well

The Lawnmower Man [Region 2]
Starring: Jeff Fahey , Pierce Brosnan , Jenny Wright , Mark Bringleson , and Geoffrey Lewis
Director: Brett Leonard
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00004RY9W

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Where is the Director's Cut?.......2007-04-25

Lawnmower Man .......2007-04-08

If you haven't seen this you should. Great movie. Never get tired of seeing it. I think any age could watch this.

Excellent movie! Great graphics for it's time!.......2006-11-19

SHORT STORY AND MOVIE?? NOT THE SAME 'CUT'..........2006-04-29

Virtual reality empowed the lawnmower man, and it can work for you as well.......2006-04-09

Average customer rating:

Where is the Director's Cut?
Lawnmower Man
Excellent movie! Great graphics for it's time!
SHORT STORY AND MOVIE?? NOT THE SAME 'CUT'...
Virtual reality empowed the lawnmower man, and it can work for you as well

The Lawnmower Man [Region 2]
Starring: Jeff Fahey , Pierce Brosnan , Jenny Wright , Mark Bringleson , and Geoffrey Lewis
Director: Brett Leonard
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004SC8J

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Where is the Director's Cut?.......2007-04-25

Lawnmower Man .......2007-04-08

If you haven't seen this you should. Great movie. Never get tired of seeing it. I think any age could watch this.

Excellent movie! Great graphics for it's time!.......2006-11-19

SHORT STORY AND MOVIE?? NOT THE SAME 'CUT'..........2006-04-29

Virtual reality empowed the lawnmower man, and it can work for you as well.......2006-04-09

Average customer rating:

Lawnmower Man
Starring: Jeff Fahey
Manufacturer: Turner Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000GAKO7S
Release Date: 2005-09-06

New Line Platinum Series Box Set - DVD F/X (Lost in Space/Dark City/The Lawnmower Man)

Average customer rating:

Not Worth It
fx

New Line Platinum Series Box Set - DVD F/X (Lost in Space/Dark City/The Lawnmower Man)
Starring: Rufus Sewell , William Hurt , Kiefer Sutherland , Jennifer Connelly , and Richard O'Brien
Director: Alex Proyas , Brett Leonard , and Stephen Hopkins
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000JSJN
Release Date: 1999-09-07

Customer Reviews:

Not Worth It.......2006-03-28

These movies can be had for 7 dollars a piece on amazon.com, and even cheaper elsewhere. definitely not with anywhere near 40 dollars for the set

fx.......2000-08-06

hi there

dark city i liked it a lot to rent it again

the lawnmower man is another great movie to wach

try the sequal to the lawnmower man 2

lost in space is another great movie

i hope they make sequals to lost in space and

dark city

DVD:

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