Plughead Rewired: Circuitry Man II (1994) User Reviews

Mind Melting Genius

[AndrewGHickey · 3/10 · 3 January 2010]

The cover art for 'Plughead Rewired' definitely grabs your attention. When I saw the plugged mug of Vernon Wells at the video store I thought it was Christopher Reeves at first glance. After actually picking it up and reading the blurb (possibly the greatest blurb to ever appear on a DVD cover) I realised it wasn't him but that this was something I had to watch.

I was warned of its awfulness after reading the other reviews on here but decided to plug into it anyway. I didn't realise what I got myself into. It takes a special kind of genius (or two in this case) to create something so mind numbingly pointless and incoherent (90 odd minutes of it in fact).

The storyline (I use that lightly), acting and dialogue are so wonderfully stupid I couldn't help but fall under its spell. Its got a Deborah Shelton topless scene (in the desert), Paul from 'Cheers' in a quirky and unnecessary role, Tom Kenny from 'Mr Show' as a loopy guru, and the queen of straight-to-video herself Traci Lords, what more could you want from a low budget sci-fi flick? If you're not keen on wasting an hour-and-a-half of your life then stay away. Im cool with it though.

Funny

[jamie_likeskylie · 5/10 · 16 December 2003]

Okay the movie is pretty lame but it does have it's comedic moments and it's full of cringe making one liners and bad jokes. Some of the performances are okay (Lords and Metzler). Vernon Wells is hysterical as Circuitry Man and goes way OTT. The ending brings the film down but I guess it's in keeping with the films overall corniness. Average but fun.

Plughead Rewired:Circuitry Man 2

[Scarecrow-88 · 5/10 · 11 July 2009]

Plughead is reawakened by an agent(Traci Lords)and uses her to help him "seize souls" in a desert outpost. Plughead's gun-toting henchmen tour the desert for undesirables so that he can suck their minds. An FBI agent with an attitude, Kyle(Deborah Shelton)releases asylum inmate, synthetic, Danner(Jim Metzler, returning from the previous film)to assist her in a mission to find and upend Plughead for the murder of her colleagues. Meanwhile, prisoners Leech(Dennis Christopher)and Rock(Nicholas Worth)wish to escape their chains(..they are "rebuilding the earth" by planting trees)so that they can steal "longetivity chips" from Plughead..as fate would have it, they'll get that chance. Meanwhile, detectives Beany and Squaid(Paul Willson and Andy Goldberg, playing keystone cops pretty much)are also out to make their arrests, hoping for promotions.

While receiving star treatment, Vernon Wells, returning as Plughead, is basically in a supporting role tormenting Lords who is forced against her will to operate a machine that drains the minds of the "derelicts of society no one cares for", attempting to fight his power, often unsuccessful. Shelton and Metzler get the most of the screen time, in their attempt to survive on the difficult journey to Plughead's lair. Christopher & Worth, along with Willson & Goldberg, service the film as the comedy..mostly inept, stupid characters poked fun at. The film is directed in a black-humored, tongue-in-cheek manner. Again, the earth is polluted without the proper oxygen and this problem is showcased throughout as Kyle and Danner often run into difficulties when it comes to air. The film is almost entirely shot on the surface, the environment a desert wasteland where nothing much lives except humans with oxygen canisters and maybe rodents who have adapted somehow. We see in this film that a certain root can provide a type of ingredient which will provide temporary sustenance in regards to oxygen for Kyle and Danner when their tanks run out. Plughead has a sinister plot to use a DNA sequence buried in Danner's mind..and there's a second "link" climax in a surreal world within Plughead's mind where twisting wires resemble thorns as his face is quite demonic.

I must admit that this sequel to CIRCUITRY MAN was a bit more entertaining to me due to the involvement of Nicholas Worth(..always able to stretch his face in animated ways, going almost the entire film without speaking a word), with Shelton(..her combat fatigues lessen that amazing sex appeal, eventually she does pull off her shirt to show that amazing chest)and Lords(..at the end, we are blessed with this tight, clinging party dress that conveys her gorgeous body)serving as eye candy. And, we get to see one character not only engulfed in flames, but exploding as well. Amusing cameos feature George Murdock as a corrupt senator and George Buck Flower as a prison guard. Funny use of a teleported safe that rescues Christopher and Worth from impending doom.

Virtually unwatchable.

[BA_Harrison · 2/10 · 28 February 2020]

I haven't seen the first Circuitry Man, which might be why Plughead Rewired left me so baffled. Or perhaps the reason for my bewilderment is that the film is a load of old twaddle - a confusing, sloppily directed mess with a terrible script and shoddy acting. Yes... that sounds more likely.

The plot? I wish I could tell you with certainty what the film was about but I'm not 100% sure. It all has something to do with cyber-villain 'Plughead' (Vernon 'Bennett from Commando' Wells), who is trying to control influential people via 'longevity chips'. But there's much more to the film than that, very little of which makes sense...

Traci Lords plays sexy blonde Norma (which is actually Traci's real name, fact fans) who is being blackmailed into assisting Plughead (although why he needs her help in particular is never explained). There are two crazy criminals who have escaped from a prison work detail on the Earth's surface, where it is so polluted that people must wear oxygen masks to survive. Hot brunette cop Kyle (Deborah Shelton) and synthetic pleasure android Danner (Jim Metzler) attempt to track down Plughead to put an end to his tyranny. And a pair of kooky lawmen speed across the planet in a supersonic car.

The action is all very scattershot, cutting between characters with little regard for narrative cohesion. Random nonsense includes Kyle digging up desert carrots to counteract pollutants in the atmosphere, the lawmen looking at mugshots on a Viewmaster, various characters interfacing via cables plugged into their necks, and matter transportation. The visuals are cheap and nasty throughout, with terrible sets and shoddy special effects (the use of a really naff 'negative image' filter being the absolute pits).

Wells, in the titular role, hams it up a treat, but the worst acting comes from Nicholas Worth as escaped criminal Rock, who is almost unbearable: even the lump of rock that he carries around with him puts in a better performance than he does.

2/10. Plughead Rewired narrowly escapes getting the lowest possible rating thanks to a gratuitous sex scene between Kyle and Danner (busty babe Shelton getting topless), the presence of pouty ex-porn star Lords (who doesn't get naked for a change, although she does squeeze into a figure-hugging little black dress), and Plughead exploding at the end.

Plughead sucks the big one.

[mightywardus · 18 September 2011]

A group of friends and I, decided to venture into a film store and that is where we stumbled across Plughead Rewired. We saw a film for 49p and were intrigued, and were even further sucked in when we saw the cover; We were in pieces, it looks so surreal and absurd. My friend got a 5p discount on a 49p film, just to be an idiot, yet when we got home and watched it, we felt ripped off. We found it was possible to feel ripped off after paying 44p for a 90 minute film. It makes literally zero sense, I have no idea what is meant to be going on. I still can't fathom as to why there are certain people in the film at all, as it appears some of the cast have no role whatsoever, apart from sitting in the stupidest car I have ever seen, acting like buffoons. However, we then watched it a second time, and it was during this viewing that we realised we had uncovered a gem. This was the funniest, most ridiculous, totally cretinous film we had ever seen. There are some truly phenomenal quotes, such as 'you look succulent this evening, my dear', and one that you have to watch to truly understand its brilliance: 'We're somewhere near Guatamala'. But the best part, by a long yard, is the true joy and glory that can be beheld when Rock survives at the end. We personally celebrated wildly when he came around, a feeling that no other film has ever delivered. I was left with a conundrum when rating this film, because as a film, it must be rated 1, as it is truly dire. But as something to watch and be amused by, it needs a 10 for its true magnificence. In summary, the acting is atrocious, the plot is nonsensical, the effects are horrific, the casting is pointless and absurd, yet as I write this, I have watched it 5 times, and it's still just as hilarious. If you want to watch a film for any reason, other than to laugh hysterically, then don't even bother. But if you want to watch a film that's so poor that it's phenomenal, then get Plughead. Get it now.

Seriously?

[calumedwards · 1/10 · 20 January 2008]

Are you all on crack? what is with the good reviews for this movie, it is the biggest pile of turd i have ever had the displeasure of seeing, i bought it for £1 and i still felt like i got ripped off, the only thing that is remotely good about this whole stinking mess is the title which is genius.

The acting is truly terrible to behold, there are some breathtakingly bad performances which is to be expected considering it stars former porn star Traci Lords...because of course porn is known for it's Oscar winning acting.

Avoid this like the plague it is inhumanely inept..i heard they torture people at Guantanamo bay with this movie.

A stunning tour-de-force

[britney_lover · 10/10 · 30 August 2006]

Is it possible to review a film using just one word? Is it possible to sum up two hours of storytelling with one single word? If so, then my word to describe CIRCUITRY MAN 2: PLUGHEAD REWIRED would be "bloody amazing".

Imagine, my friends, the world of the future. Imagine a world where technology has run riot. Imagine a world where man's constant tampering has led to climate change and ecological disaster on an international scale. Imagine, if you will, a post apocalyptic hinterland populated by scum and bastards.

Now, imagine no more, because CIRCUITRY MAN 2: PLUGHEAD REWIRED shows you this world in stunning colour. You can see the wilderness, you can meet the strange and wonderful characters. You can almost feel the heat from the cruel sun beating down on your neck, bringing you out in small beads of sweat.

In the centre of this harsh wilderness lives Plughead, the world's most dangerous synthetic, lurking in the heart of the darkness like Colonel Kurtz in Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now". A powerful performance from Hollywood star Vernon Wells lies at the cornerstone of this movie. Full of brooding and menace, a deformed monster with evil intentions. It reminded me of Shakespeare's King Richard III, but instead of offering "A horse, a horse. My kingdom for a horse" all Plughead has to offer is pain, misery and psycho-domination, aided by his unwilling and beautiful assistant (Traci Lords playing against type).

Fighting against Plughead is the handsome and charismatic Danner, the titular "Circuitry Man". A biosynthetic built for pleasure, his distinct style holds the key to defeating the evil Plughead. In one memorable scene Danner and his party are attacked by marauders. While the others want to fight their way out of the situation, Danner suggest a peaceful approach, and only wants to talk. How ironic, that an artificial man can show more humanity than the so called "real" humans. What does this make Danner? Something more than human? The paradoxical theme that the synthetic Danner, played with panache and some considerable style by Jim Metzler, is capable of expressing real sensitivity and feelings is further explored in a tastefully done love scene with his female police colleague.

Finishing off this ensemble are two police officers trying to locate Plughead's lair. The fact that they never find it, never meet Plughead or Danner, and have no effect at all on the outcome of the movie, might lead some to question the point of these characters even being in the film, but their genuinely witty banter provides essential comic relief from the unrelentingly grim tone of the rest of the film. Their adventures bring to mind the legendary Don Quixote and his faithful squire Sancho Panza, but instead of medieval Spain, this is future Brazil, and instead of encountering windmills and giants, this world is full of mutants, brigands and the foul Plughead himself.

As the film rushes towards an unforgettable and stunning climax the clever script is brimming with eminently quotable one liners (my personal favourite is "Why jack-off when you can jack-in?"), and the acting is top rate throughout.

What can I say about CIRCUITRY MAN 2: PLUGHEAD REWIRED? I've never felt this way after watching a film before. This film is poetry, this film is philosophy, this film is prophecy. Are you prepared to face this harsh warning from the future? If you are then welcome friend to a brave new world, because I guarantee that after watching CIRCUITRY MAN 2: PLUGHEAD REWIRED things will never ever be the same again.

Torrid nonsense

[Corky1984 · 28 April 2005]

Plughead is terrible. Full stop. The wordplay is dire, the acting embarrassing, the plot exceedingly pointless and boring, whilst the star of the film, Vernon Wells, the only shimmer of light in this appalling tripe, is barely featured! Wells is of course an awful actor, but fans of Commando will appreciate his unintended comedy. His Aussie accent is still on display in Plughead, but those hoping for something to match the comedic screams of Bennett in Commando will be disappointed. Wells' character in this is fairly comic book and not really much to write home about. He has some funny lines, such as 'Its time to PLUG!', but they fail to match Bennett's pearls of wisdom such as 'If Matrix was here, he'd laugh too' from Commando. This film has nothing to commend it really. The cast are all Z-listers. You lose interest seconds into the film such is its poor quality. Plughead should never have been made.

Such a loving couple....

[VincentVega1987 · 10/10 · 9 January 2005]

If i had to sum up Plughead Rewired - Circuitry Man 2, in 5 words, it would be sweet, cool, funny, amazing, stunning, excellent. The film is all this plus a whole lot more. The set up is fantastic - somewhere above Brazil, Plughead plots a sinister plan to find the secret of immortality, and with it, the power to control the world. Vernon Wells deserves at least 7 Oscars for his exceptional performance as the evil Plughead, with great support from Deborah Shelton and the amazing Jim Mitzler.

The acting and music is great, but that isn't where Plughead re-wireds true beauty is, its in the story, especially the end. Kyle, Danner's new lover, finds out that she is also a biosynthetic! Wow, but thats not all, then Plughead takes Danner and Kyle to this barren wasteland with this really sweet fire the background, and tries to take over Danner's mind by bargaining with Kyle's life. However, just as Plughead jacks into Danner's head with this super cool cable that comes out of his head, Kyle reaches for Danner's hand, and he utters 'Now come into my mind...' Plughead is brought into a white room with these sweet stone pillars and him and Danner are carrying candles. Plughead thinks this must be a joke right, and says 'Watcha going to do, kill me with your love?' and as they kiss he gets set on fire, then normal, then shakes and says 'Such a loving couple' and explodes. WOW.

Plughead is rich with endlessly repeatable lines, 3 of which I have mentioned, but there is also 'Why jack off when you can jack in,' and 'Ok, no more foreplay...' It really did affect my life for the better. But probably the best part is the end credits music, the singing and back track are awesome.

Anyway I could ramble about Plughead all day but I have a train to catch, so to sum up, WATCH THIS FILM! Its so good Thank you brother

One of the worst movies ever made

[sebpopcorn · 26 March 2009]

I've seen a lot of crap movies in my time but Plughead Rewired is the pits. Imagine you're writing a sci-fi movie and your best idea is that there isn't enough oxygen but you can survive by eating special space yams that contain air. Would you just give up and accept you had no good ideas? I would, but not these guys! The plot is so incoherent and pointless that describing it would only make it sound better than it really is. Suffice to say it ends abruptly with no resolution and in the least plausible way possible with the components on offer. Plughead is hardly in it which is a shame because he is marginally interesting.

This film is an exercise in tedium, it's bundled into those "200 horror films for £10" DVD sets because it's basically worthless.