The Terminal Man

Michael Crichton books tend to be fairly technical, and getting that to play on screen while still making an engaging movie is a fine balance that more often than not - with a couple of notable exceptions - has been difficult for filmmakers. Robert Wise did it pretty effectively with The Andromeda Strain. This one, another early book and adaptation, comes off pretty much as sterile as an operating theater. The science is there, but it lacks a pulse.

Since being injured in a car accident, a computer genius has been experiencing seizures that make him violent. He decides to undergo an experimental surgery to end his violent tendencies. Surgeons implant a computer chip in his head, but the mechanism malfunctions, turning him into a killing machine. I don't know what to say. Intriguing concept to be found in here with some striking imagery but unfortunately it doesn't really come together. It starts with incredibly long but tense surgical procedures and there's this coldness coming from the hospital setting and minimal sound. But most of the time I find it dreadfully slow and kinda boring. The titular character's supposed to be sympathetic but it's hard when the film never explores the character. Even when he's on his murderous rage with ugly wig on, that doesn't feel as exciting as I expected it to be.