Psycho's Movie Reviews #312: Neon City (1991)

Neon City (also known as Anno 2053 in Italy, Neonski Grad in Serbia) is a 1991 Canadian post-apocalyptic science fiction film directed by Monte Markham and written by Jeff Begun and Ann Lewis Hamilton, under the pseudonym Buck Finch. The cast includes Michael Ironside, Vanity, Lyle Alzado, Valerie Wildman, Nick Klar, Juliet Landau, Richard Sanders and Markham.

Plot

In the 2050s, extensive ecological damage has resulted in largely lawless areas that are controlled by mutant raiders. Harry Stark, an ex-cop who now works as a bounty hunter in the wastelands, saves a woman from mutant outlaws. After she pulls a knife on him, he knocks her unconscious and brings her back to town for her bounty. Captain Raymond, Stark's former commanding officer, tells him that the woman, Reno, must be brought to Neon City to collect his payment. Raymond requests that Stark ride shotgun on a transport that is going to Neon City, but he refuses. When Stark's truck blows up, Raymond claims it to be an act of terrorism by mutants. Stark attacks Raymond, only to be knocked unconscious and placed on the transport with Reno.

On board the transport are Bulk, a former friend and ex-cop whom Stark once arrested; Tom, a serial killer who pretends to be a doctor; Dickie Devine, a clown; Sandy, Stark's ex-wife; Twink, the sheltered daughter of an influential Neon City politician; and Wing, an old man who keeps to himself. Before they leave, Raymond gives them the opportunity to receive a refund and stay behind, as mutant activity along the road has been excessive; all elect to go instead of staying and collecting a refund. Along the way, they pass through a deadly Xander Cloud, and, when they stop afterward, they meet a family who is suffering from extensive radiation damage. Stark buys a euthanasia kit from Devine and donates it to the grateful family. Disgusted, Reno calls Devine and Stark no better than herself.

When they reach their first destination, an outpost where they are to meet with an escort, mutant raiders have killed almost everyone. The sole survivor, Bulk's sister, is entrusted to Tom, who pretends to aid her until the others leave him alone, after which he murders her. Reno saves Twink's life and flees the site on a motorcycle, but Stark recovers her. Stark proposes that they continue without the escort and surprises Reno when he gives her a vote. She sides with the majority, and they push on. Their next stop is at a restaurant staffed by mutants. Twink is surprised when the others treat the mutant staffers as equals. While on the road, mutant raiders attack, and Devine is wounded. They jettison some of their cargo to escape. After they barely survive a "bright", an intense temperature change, Tom murders Devine.

After burying Devine, the transport encounters a shelter, where they rest and recuperate. Tom tries to force himself on Reno, but she beats him; Tom claims she could not handle his rejection. Reno and Stark bond as he consoles her, and she reveals that she killed her foster parents accidentally when fleeing from their child prostitution ring. After they have sex, Reno asks Stark to run away with her, but he refuses to leave the others. After discussing the world's ecological damage with Wing, Bulk realizes that Wing is actually Dr. Xander, the scientist responsible for much of the damage. Xander explains that he was attempting to solve the world's problems, and, if he reached a proper laboratory, he might be able to reverse the effects. Bulk promises not to turn him in, and they return to their journey.

During the next mutant raid, they run out of ammunition. Xander improvises a laser weapon that saves them, but not before Sandy is shot and the transport finally dies. Xander elects to leave for the border, and the rest walk to Neon City, which is nearby. Tom gives Sandy a dose of painkillers. When they arrive at Neon City, Twink expedites their entry and smooths things over between Stark and the local police, who are commanded by Jenkins, a man with a grudge against Stark. When Sandy dies of a massive drug overdose, Tom is finally exposed. He takes Reno hostage, but Stark kills him. This results in a standoff between Stark and Jenkins; Reno calms Stark, and they leave together. When Jenkins asks about his prisoner, Stark says she died during transport. As they leave Neon City, Stark and Reno pick up Xander.

Production

Television writer Ann Lewis Hamilton wrote the script for Neon City as an update to John Ford's Stagecoach, set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by Mad Max. Having had difficulty with sexism in the past, she used a masculine pseudonym, Buck Finch, to sell the script. The protagonist was originally a woman, but the producers cast Ironside as the lead. Shooting took place in Salt Lake County, Utah. Principal photography ended in March 1991.

Reception

Reviews compared it to Stagecoach. TV Guide rated it 2/4 stars and wrote, "Neon City is far from the worst Road Warrior rerun ever, although that's truly faint praise."

My Review

Neon City is another film that openly copies the MAD MAX franchise, in particular part two of the series given that the whole second half of the film involves the main characters inhabiting a truck which is driven through a perilous landscape and chased by nameless bad guys. It's a much lower budgeted and thus inferior product when compared to the George Miller series, but cult film fans might just like this one regardless, mainly due to Michael Ironside who appears in the starring role. Ironside only plays the good guy in a film once in a blue moon but he's the protagonist here and he's excellent, as you might expect. Still a total bad ass, but on the side of good for once. The rest of the film is a mix of cheap action scenes, snowy vistas, and characters arguing and fighting amongst themselves. There's a little humour to lighten the experience and overall it's a fun enough picture, massively enhanced by the reliable Ironside.

When I hear, or think of actor Michael Ironside. I'm so use to him in a genre film of this ilk playing the hissable bad guy/henchman, in one shape or another, so it was a nice change of pace to see him at the opposite end of the spectrum. His gruff, tough as nails anti-hero performance, ex-ranger turned bounty hunter, makes it worthwhile, as the straight-to-video "Neon City" is virtually unspectacular, yet a durable and smoky post apocalyptic low-budget action fare.

The story had its running themes, but for most part it keeps it simple and traditional in structure, like a western (that sees a small group of people travelling by vehicle through the harsh wasteland of erratic weather extremes and ravaging ozone affected nomads to reach their destination; "Neon City"), and something of a "MAD MAX" imitation.

Maybe it plods a bit after the hour mark; the humour can be dopey (a comic relief character that's virtually a stand-up comedian who does illegal business on the side) and the journey a little too low-scale at times, especially on the action front. But what we do get provides the rough and tumble, when it counts, even moments of slow-mo (showering), solar/sandstorms, cue in that synth, gushing blood and a little laser activity. All of this leading to a random, but amusingly over-the-top standoff, where Ironside doesn't want to disappoint. Also alongside him is Vanity as his feisty prisoner.

Despite that, I still love this movie. Maybe it's the fact that Michael Ironside stars as a good guy, a rare role for this badass actor. Maybe it's because it rips off some amazingly awesome movies, and it reminds me of them constantly. Maybe it's because it was part of my college years, and I just couldn't get enough of these cheesy, late 80s/early 90s post-apocalyptic Mad Max ripoffs. Maybe it was because this is actually a pretty decent movie underneath the layers of "homage". I've always thought that this forgotten B movie could have been a cult classic if only it had gotten a little bit more attention.

If you're expecting a big budget, amazing sets, famous A-list actors, mind-blowing special effects, and an original plot, then, yeah, you'll be very disappointed. However, if you're a fan of B movies, then you'll probably have no problem overlooking the faults. 7.2/10