A genre that has always been around but never taken quite seriously until the 70s has been the science fiction film. Relegated to space missions and low budget monsters the movies didn’t advance until 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY came along. Then we began to see more and more science fiction films that matched the writings that were popular. As the films progressed they began to incorporate other genres combining them to come up with something original. For instance ALIEN took the haunted house movie and transferred it to sci-fi. In 1992 a small film came out that combined the action buddy cop flick with sci-fi. The movie was SPLIT SECOND.
The film takes place in the future, at least the future back in 1992, the year is 2008. Global warming has melted the ice caps and London now has its city streets partially flooded and the rat population on the rise. Detective Harley Stone (Rutger Hauer) is tracking a serial killer through this damp streets. When the film open’s he’s in a seedy nightclub in his quest only to miss the chance to nab the killer. The body of one of the customers is found in the ladies room, her heart removed.
Called in by his commander Harley is assigned a new partner, Det. Dick Durkin (Alastair Duncan). The compulsion Harley feels to catch this killer is derived from the fact the killer murdered Harley’s last partner. He’s been consumed with guilt ever since, even more so since he was having an affair with his partner’s wife Michelle (Kim Cattrall) at the time. He accepts his new partner begrudgingly and they set off to catch the serial killer.
The Oxford educated Durkin is more help than Harley could have hoped for. With each new killing providing little evidence that can be used to track him, there are clues as to his motivations. Durkin notices certain symbols left behind suggesting there is a lunar cycle and potential supernatural motivation behind the killings.
Michelle returns to London and to see Harley. Staying at his place she is nearly the next victim when Harley and Durkin arrive and chase off the killer. How they knew the killer was there adds to the puzzle. It seems that Harley has some psychic connection to the killer. When a scar left by this killer is revealed later as well as information from the DNA left behind by the killer, Durkin notes that there is a mental connection between Harley and this creature. The DNA revealed this may not be a man at all but a combination killer who takes on the DNA of each victim.
After Michelle is kidnapped, Harley and Durkin travel to the sewers of London to finally square off with whatever it is that has been mauling the citizens and removing their organs. When Harley and the creature face off only one will walk out of this damp underground alive.
When released the movie was savaged by critics who called it among other things derivative. But critics more often than not bypass finding the fun in movies to simply apply highbrow criticism to movies never intended for critics but for fans. The film eventually developed a small cult following as well as being sought after by fans of Hauer. With his recent passing it makes adding this to their collection even more important.
The film is being released on the MVD Rewind Collection label. This label has taken lost movies that were found on mom and pop video stores of the past and is giving them new life in upgraded versions of the films. As an example this film is being released with a newly scanned, restored and color graded in 4K from the 35MM internegative. If that weren’t enough the extras here are massive including a new audio commentary by action film historian Mike Leeder and filmmaker Arne Venema, “Great Big Bloody Guns” with producer Laura Gregory and Duncan, “Call Me Mr. Snips” an interview with composer Stephen Parsons, “Stay in Line” and interview with line producer Laurie Borg, “More Blood” an interview with creature effects designer Cliff Wallace, “Shoot Everything” and interview with cinematographer Clive Tickner, the original 1992 making of featurette, an original behinds the scenes featurette with effects creator Stephen Norrington and the cast & crew, the Japanese cut of the film with added footage, deleted scenes that were in that cut, trailers, a reversible sleeve and a mini-poster.
No, the film is not Oscar worthy. Yes, the film is a lot of fun. If you enjoy science fiction and action films this is one worth taking a look at. MVD has done an amazing job with it making it more spectacular than I remember it being when it was released. I know I’ll be watching it again down the road.
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