Hardware: Programmed to kill

Hardware, known in Spain as Hardware: Programmed to kill; is the big screen adaptation of the comic SHOK! created by screenwriter Steve McManus and cartoonist Kevin O'Neill in 1990. It is one of the most respected pieces of cult science fiction cinema. Although in terms of budget it can be classified as a B series, it stands out from similar productions due to its originality, visual power and narrative intensity.

Plot

This is mid-21st century America. The planet has suffered an ecological and social collapse. The few human beings who manage to survive radioactive contamination and war huddle in chaotic urban centers looking for a shadow of the ancient civilization, of which only remains.

Moses (Dylan McDermott) is an explorer who returns to the city after a long stint in the Radioactive Zone. Upon arrival, he purchases the wrecked remains of a robot from a dealer as a gift for his girl, Jill (Stacey Travis), who makes her living as an avant-garde sculptor. But after the happy reunion Moses begins to discover a series of sinister facts related to the pile of mechanical junk that Jill, in her creative pursuit, has begun to restore.

Other data

This is the first foray into film for Richard Stanley, a veteran creator of video clips for groups such as Public Image Limited and Fields of the Nephilim.

The film exploits some clichés of the cyberpunk genre, partially drawing on films such as Blade Runner or The Terminator. However, it breaks the cliché "robot-kills-humans" adding an exotic amalgamation of other genres and trends: drama, western, horror, heavy-metal and industrial music are just some of them. The characters have surprising strength, and the rain of mechanical ultraviolence that is unleashed on them has its just counterpart in disturbing scenes of suspense and sarcastic portraits of urban decay. In short, a worthy adaptation (many would say 'improvement') of the original comic.

The soundtrack is composed of abrasive hard rock, industrial and after-punk tracks, by bands like Ministry, Motörhead and Public Image Limited, which help to intensify the post-apocalyptic urgency that the film exudes. curiosity, there are many winks and cameos. Some examples: the singer Iggy Pop lends his voice to Rabid Bob, host of the most rogue radio station in the city; Lemmy Kilmister plays the role of the taxi driver who takes Moses and Shades in his boat to the center of the city. During the journey he plays the song Ace of Spades by Motörhead, his own group, on the radio. For his part, Carl McCoy (Fields of the Nephilim vocalist) plays the nomad who picks up the remains of the robot at the beginning of the film.