Good movie but grossly overrated

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Yes, admittedly it's just not as good as the first, very cool "Trancers" film, but then that's often to be expected of sequels. The basic ideas are still good, but this is quite plot heavy; the viewer really has to pay attention, and it's advised that they see "Trancers" # 1 before seeing this. It's also a little plodding, unlike the first "Trancers", and is short on action. There's still some humour to be found in the characters and the situations, and the gadgets are amusing like they were before.Tim Thomerson is once again a total hoot as cynical Trancer hunter Jack Deth, who's adjusted to life in the 20th century with his wife Lena (Helen Hunt). Hap Ashby (Biff Manard) has cleaned up his act and also cleaned up in the stock market. However, soon their happy lives will be disrupted when Jacks' first wife Alice is sent back in time to occupy the body of a mental patient (Megan Ward) and Dr. Wardo (Richard Lynch), brother of original villain Whistler, is using an environmental movement as a cover for creating a Trancer army.The real attraction is a wonderful collection of B movie actors; certainly the casting directors knew what they were doing. Lynch is of course a fantastic bad guy as always. Art La Fleur and Telma Hopkins return from the first film; La Fleurs' character McNulty is once again transported into the body of his female ancestor (Alyson Croft), who's now a teenager. Martine Beswicke and Jeffrey Combs play Lynchs' evil associates, Sonny Carl Davis is amiable asylum attendant Rabbit, Barbara Crampton has an all too brief role as a TV talk show host, and John Davis Chandler has a bit as a wino. Performances are decent but most of the actors have been better utilized in other projects.The dialogue just doesn't have a whole lot of zip to it; although Thomersons' delivery is good, it's doubtful that fans will go around quoting "Trancers II". Producer / director Charles Band seems to be going through the motions here, which is too bad. "Trancers" could and should have gotten a worthy sequel, but this is overall too muddled and lacking in energy to really soar.Six out of 10.

I just thought this one had a better plot and better pacing and there were more Trancers in it than there were in the first one. I can remember everything about it, mainly that Jack Deth is back and must protect some politician or something. For a movie by Full Moon though it had a nice array of stars in it. Granted some of them you would expect to be in a "b" movie, others not so much. Once again, this movie just shows you that Full Moon Studios at one time actually put some effort into their films. The studio was rather good in the late 80's and early 90's then at a point it just seemed to turn out really bad movies. It went from films like this, to movies like the "Shrieker" and "The Dead Hate the Living" two rather bad movies that were somewhat enjoyable to movies that were even worse that were not so enjoyable to watch. I think they are pretty much gone now as I have not seen a movie by them in a long time now. Still, this one had good action and picked from the first movie and became the more superior flick in my mind.

Frequently exceptional script for Trancers 2 so kudos to Jackson Barr. This sequel to Trancers is indeed 'ham'my but far from a turkey and (excuse the minute spoiler) never a bomb! The cast here is excellent with most of the original team repeating their roles and with Jack Deth's future wife played by Megan Ward an exceptional addition as is Richard Lynch as a troublesome environmentalist. Several cameos from Charles Band's father (Albert), mother (Jackie), mother-in-law (then wife Debra Dion's mother) and Helen Hunt's brother and Richard Lynch's son (Christopher) and Tim Thomerson's father and brother.Re-Animator team Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton also have small roles.Possibly better than the enjoyable first film this is a great sequel to - what at this point - looked like a fantastic film series.

Why review good movies when you can review "Trancers II?"Ooh, this film is soooo lame. I can just picture the cast and crew driving around L.A. with a camcorder, hurling extras in silly monster make-up at poor, long-suffering Tim Thomerson. The stars' families actually turn up to play cameos, probably because Full Moon couldn't afford "real" extras. Lame effects, lame sets, and a script so convoluted it would take eons to untie all the knots - this must be classic Trancers!And yet...and yet...it rules. Note this is the same thing I say about "Trancers IV." I say it because it's true. What can beat watching an old guy in a trench coat mow down zombies, then bust out with quips like, "Don't worry ladies, they're bio-degradable"? Well, lots of things could be better, but anyway this is still good stuff.My only significant reservation is Megan Ward, who really stinks up the joint. She's a lousy rival for Helen Hunt's character - they're both young pieces of eye candy, and it would've been more effective if they actually contrasted a bit more. Oh well, you can't have everything. At least the wonderful plot device of the "long second watch" is back in place, and we've got more of Hap Ashby, the least-convincing athlete in the history of cinema (oh, wait a minute - he's got a rival in the form of David Ogden Steirs in "Creator").I haven't seen this lately, but I do seem to remember that Martine Beswick runs away twice during the final battle. Hooray for lousy continuity! Just one of the many highlights in this fine film.