Alright, settle in, fellow tapeheads. Remember that glorious feeling? Scanning the sci-fi shelves down at the local video palace, past the big-budget behemoths, and landing on something… different. Something with that unmistakable Full Moon vibe. That's exactly where Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth lived, practically beaming its low-budget, high-concept energy right off the clamshell case. This wasn't just a sequel; it felt like a direct transmission from the weird and wonderful world of direct-to-video 90s sci-fi, a welcome return visit from everyone's favorite time-traveling, Trancer-singeing cop.
He's Back, and Still Grumpy
Six years have passed in our time (and Jack's!), and trooper Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) is surprisingly settled into 1991 Los Angeles with his now-wife Lena (Helen Hunt). He's traded the bleak future for sunny California suburbia, but let's be honest, Jack Deth doing 'domestic' feels about as natural as a synth wearing corduroy. Thankfully for us (and probably for Jack’s sanity), trouble finds him. Whistler's supposedly dead brother, E.D. Wardo (played with slimy gusto by Richard Lynch, a genre staple!), is back, running a bogus environmental group as a front to create a Trancer army using chemically-addled mental patients. It’s delightfully pulpy, exactly the kind of plot you’d expect from the house Charles Band built.
Tim Thomerson is Jack Deth. Period. That gruff, seen-it-all weariness mixed with dry-as-the-Mojave wit remains the absolute anchor. He delivers lines like "Dry hair's for squids" with such perfect deadpan conviction you can't help but love him. It’s fascinating to watch Helen Hunt reprise her role as Lena here. She was clearly on the cusp of bigger things (hello, Mad About You was just around the corner!), and it’s a testament to the first film’s charm, or perhaps contractual obligation, that she returned. She brings a warmth that grounds Jack, even if the domestic plotline feels a bit like trying to fit a square peg into a round temporal anomaly. Adding to the mix is Megan Ward as Alice Stillwell, Jack’s tough future-wife trapped in the body of her teenage ancestor – a plot point that leads to some appropriately awkward moments and gives Jack another person to grumble at.
That Sweet, Sweet Practical Action
Let's talk about why we really showed up: the Trancer-hunting action. Directed again by Charles Band, the maestro of making a little go a long way, Trancers II delivers that specific brand of 90s direct-to-video mayhem we crave. Forget slick CGI – this is the era of tangible effects. Remember those slow-motion sequences triggered by Jack’s "long second" watch? They might look a little choppy now, but back then, watching Jack navigate a frozen moment to blast a glassy-eyed Trancer felt genuinely cool and inventive.
The shootouts have that satisfyingly physical feel. We get squibs exploding with gusto, stunt performers hitting the pavement with real thuds, and muzzle flashes that actually light up the scene. There’s a car chase that, while not Bullitt, feels grounded and real because you know those are actual cars skidding around actual Los Angeles streets, likely filmed quickly and efficiently. Retro Fun Fact: To maximize resources, Trancers II was famously shot back-to-back with Trancers III: Deth Lives! It speaks volumes about Charles Band and Full Moon Entertainment's resourceful, guerilla-style filmmaking approach – churn 'em out, keep the fans happy, and keep the budgets tight (reportedly around $1.5 million for this one). This wasn't Spielberg; it was fast, functional, and fueled by a genuine love for genre storytelling.
Full Moon Rising
This film embodies the Full Moon Entertainment spirit. It knows exactly what it is: a fun, slightly goofy sci-fi adventure designed for home video consumption. The sets might look a bit sparse, the plot might have a few convenient wrinkles, but the enthusiasm shines through. Richard Lynch makes for a perfectly serviceable villain, channeling that sinister energy he brought to so many roles. The synth score, while perhaps not as iconic as the first film's, still sets the right mood – that slightly melancholic, slightly futuristic vibe that permeated so much sci-fi of the era.
It's interesting to note that while the first Trancers (1984) gained a solid cult following, this sequel went straight-to-video, a burgeoning market that Charles Band was instrumental in cultivating. It didn't get a wide theatrical release or mainstream critical attention, but for fans who discovered it on VHS, it was a treasured find. It delivered more Jack Deth, more Trancers, and kept that unique world alive, paving the way for several more sequels of varying quality.
The Verdict
Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, or even the time-traveling bracelet. It's a solid, enjoyable slice of early 90s sci-fi action comfort food. It brings back the characters we liked, throws them into a new, suitably bonkers plot, and delivers enough practical effects and Thomerson deadpanning to satisfy fans of the original. Does it reach the quirky heights of the first film? Not quite. The plot feels a little more standard-issue, and the fish-out-of-water charm is slightly diluted now that Jack's been around for a while. But it’s still a blast.
Rating: 6.5 / 10
Justification: While lacking some of the fresh invention of the original, Trancers II successfully continues the saga with Tim Thomerson in top form, fun practical action beats typical of the era, and that unmistakable Charles Band DTV charm. It’s hampered slightly by budget constraints and a less compelling central plot compared to the first, but delivers exactly what fans expected from a Trancers sequel found on the video store shelf.
Final Thought: In a world before endless CGI, Trancers II reminds us of the gritty, tangible fun of 90s direct-to-video action – best enjoyed with the tracking slightly off and a bucket of popcorn close by. Yeah, dry hair is for squids.