MovieChat Forums > Cyborg (1989) Discussion > Striking imagery and photography

Striking imagery and photography

posted 11 years ago by garlandgreene-442-656521
10 replies | jump to latest

Nevermind the bad acting this film has some of my favorite scenes. The shot in the sewer where Jean-Claude does the splits between the walls holding the blade and the single ray of light shining down, the barb wire in the hands of the little girl who has to hold on so her family doesn't die in the well, the post-nuke matte paintings, the fact they utilized sets already built for Masters of the Universe 2 and Spider-Man for New York City, the spaghetti western themes, the badass editing, Jean-Claude standing alone in the rain with a blue light behind him and the bow in his hand, and the ultimate crucifixion on the mast of a ship. That is one of the most striking images I've ever seen in a film.

[–] SeasonalAffective 11 years ago

It's a testament to its visual style, and strong atmosphere, that this movie, made on a shoestring budget, and dismissed as a shoddy b-film, has such a strong cult following, almost 25 years later. Albert Pyun did a good job with this one.

[–] matt-baen 11 years ago

Totally agree. With the distance of time it can no longer be considered a cheesy B movie but almost an art film with its cinematography, action (much more realistic and visceral than the wire-fu that came later), archetypal characters, and graphic brutality. It was a very pleasant surprise.

Compare Cyborg with Trancers, which while fun is not on Cyborg's level in these terms despite having the same influences (Blade Runner, Road Warrior, Terminator).

[–] Gmork76 11 years ago

I agree. The visuals in this movie are very good and realistic. Puyn did a remarkable
job with a small budget. Recently watched
the MGM Bluray and the first shot of New York, matte, you clearly see it now. But the details I first noticed when watching the Bluray is very well worth the cost of the Bluray version.

[–] Leto II 8 years ago

Couldn't agree more -- the MGM Blu-Ray is visually stunning, picture quality-wise, and although some of the more outstanding visual flaws are made obvious by the 1080p transfer, fine details (such as being able to make out literally every single last pore on Marshall Strat's face at the very beginning of the movie) are WELL worth it. Can't believe a movie this low-budget looks this great on home video.

[–] Ite 8 years ago

Yes the Blu Ray is fantastic watching it again right now.

[–] Herreken 8 years ago

The trademark Van Damme split in this movie is one of the best scenes.

DISPLAY thy breasts, my Julia!

[–] wantutosigh 8 years ago

This is one of my favorite films. It just has something special. Sheldon Lettich and Van Damme had to edit the crap out of it in post production so the the atmosphere and flow of the film can also be credited to them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBYznVnNTI4 RIP Bob Probert

[–] Will21st 8 years ago

yup, van Damme and Lettich saved this one from disaster no doubt.

[–] Leto II 7 years ago

Yeah, Van Damme and Lettich made the tough calls in the editing room that allowed the film to be "saved," although there are some interesting bits and pieces in Pyun's director's cut. However, the decision to totally jettison the "restoring technology" plotline in favor of the far more visceral and relatable, "cure the plague" motivation, was absolutely the correct one, and gives the characters a much more grounded, concrete, and tangible end goal, as opposed to their objectives in Pyun's version (which are very abstract at best).

[–] vocklabruck 7 years ago

I have to agree with all of that. The photography is the main reason I come back to this movie over and over. However I did not like the paintings at all.