Hardware (1990)

'Hardware' is a 1990 sci-fi horror film directed by Richard Stanley and stars Dylan McDermott as a salvager named Moses who discovers the remains of what seems to be an android and brings it home to his girlfriend Jill for her to use in her art piece. The parts turn out to be something much more sinister and becomes a sentient being that begins killing everything in sight and has trapped Jill in her apartment. I first heard of the film back when I was reading a magazine article about lost or underrated horror films with 'Hardware' as their number one pick. The film has a long history for sure, going from distributor to distributor and making it a very hard film to track down for years, especially if you were looking for the International (or uncut) version. But thanks to the folks at Ronin Flix (shameless plug) I finally got myself a copy of 'Hardware'. I watched it and...it's good, but I think its mysterious origins and the lack of availability has overhyped it just a bit.

The first thing I'd like to say about it is that for a film that only cost 700,00 UK Pounds (or 900,000 US Dollars) 'Hardware' has some of the best production design I've ever seen for a low budget genre picture. Right away the first shot of the film takes you into its world, a vast desert with red glaring sunlight as a mysterious man searches the vast wasteland. From then on we don't get too elaborate with the sets, as most of the film is set in Jill's apartment but it's clear that Stanley and crew did the best they could and used their imaginations and skills to make a believable world that immerses you. It's a good thing that the world of 'Hardware' is so interesting because the same can't be said for the story. For a film that frequently pops up on top rated lists of 90's horror and sci-fi, the film's plot is extremely thin even for the genre. The exposition in the first half hour or so gives you all the background and then the film falls into the usual tropes of over the top gore and jump scares.

The cast is a mixed bag in 'Hardware' and honestly I'm not sure who to root for here. The film sets up Moses as the hero and for the first half of the film is our main focus. Only when the M.A.R.K. 13 boots back up do we turn our focus to Jill and Mo's friend Shades and McDermott is quickly thrown aside.  It's a shame Richard Stanley wasn't able to explore more of this world due to his low budget and he did the best with what he had, giving us just enough information to follow the story and to be invested at least but I think 'Hardware' is long overdue for a sequel or at the very least another film set in this universe. The film's special effects are very impressive for a low budget flick and the director and crew used the right lighting and angles to make the android very convincing. Sure, there's some obvious reverse photography and the robotic prop doesn't have too much movement to it but it's still pretty freaky as hell to see in action, particularly during scenes in which it's trying to see Jill while she hides from its thermal vision.

Just a quick word on the film's score by Simon Boswell because it's a strange beast. For the most part, I feel it all fits well with the overall film and the opening piece is the standout track. However, in the third act there are moments that seem really out of place, throwing in loud choirs and what seems to be orchestral music when the rest of the score is more of a synth sound. It's an enjoyable film score, but not one you'd listen to by itself. Many viewers have told me they felt disappointment for 'Hardware' and some even saying it did nothing at all for them and I'd say I'm kinda on the line with it. It's not as great as the others said, but it's not a bad movie either instead it's a well made and perfectly competent film with some great ideas that were not fully realized due to the budget. I still would recommend at least a rental if you're at all interested in 'Hardware'. It's at the very least an interesting curiosity for genre fans.

3/5