User reviews

OK..... mix in a bit of Frankenstein, some time travel and the potential damage of meddling with the past, a ninja (!) a materialistic, seemingly selfish but actually kind hearted charter boat captain (shades of Han Solo anyone?) and a feisty, pre-Star Trek: TNG Annette Crosby and you have Eliminators – a highly likable yet almost forgotten gem of 1980's Sci-Fi!

The plot is quite obviously far too ambitious in scope for the budgetary constraints and yet somehow it all works so well, not least of all because of the highly likable characters featured in this (Andrew Prine's laid back character is especially fun to watch) There's also an excellent realisation of the 'mobile unit', a mode of transport whereby the Mandroid (bear with me on this) removes his legs (!) and rides around with the unit (a sort of miniature tank) on his lower half (presumably most of the budget was spent on this!)

What can I say? If you're at all a fan of 80's Science Fiction TV and/or movies then like me, you'll probably lap this up, it all makes perfect sense on screen and is highly enjoyable throughout. Great nostalgic fun!

Rated as a movie, this deserves about a 2. Rated by how much fun you will have watching it, it deserves about a 7.

If it took itself seriously it wouldn't be much fun, but fortunately it has a light touch. A man who is half machine, the "mandroid" John Doe, goes on a quest to find and kill the mad scientist who installed the half-machine part. Joining him are a scientist (Denise Crosby), an R2D2 wannabe, an Indiana Jones wannabe, and a ninja! Along the way, there are boat chases, a barroom brawl, inept bad guys, Roman soldiers, and goofy physical comedy. Roy Dotrice makes a fun villain.

If it sounds like it might be fun to you, give it a try.

This movie gets great when the team is assembled, but that takes almost an hour to happen. Everything else is a low rent indiana jones ish knock off that only occasionally works . That said, the mandroid is tremendous.

The fact that Charles Band produced this film says so, so very much. Especially after watching the trailer, I thought I knew what I was getting into. Once again, however, I simply wasn't prepared. Why does Mandroid have tank treads that are optional, a detail that doesn't meet the standards of internal consistency as it presents? Why does the Mandroid suddenly look like he's 12 years old when his hair is wet? Why does Denise Crosby have longer hair in this movie than in anything else she's ever made? Why is a single shot from the beginning of the film repeated over and over again? Why is the pacing so astonishingly slow from the very, very start - before scenes meaningfully begin, after they've meaningfully ended, and even in the midst of dialogue and action sequences? What is this movie?

While the pacing is confounding right off the bat and continues to be the single greatest problem thereafter, the curiosities in 'Eliminators' continue to mount as the minutes tick by. The scene writing is all over the map: some inclusions seem like arbitrary last-minute additions; some scenes feel like outright diversions; others are played purely for laughs with an ethos of excess exceeding the already indisputable B-movie nature of the feature. More rarely do they specifically add to the plot. The lethargy of action sequences is exemplified in a boat chase that's almost as boring as the one in 'To live and let die,' which also includes a delayed reaction for a major explosion and questionable decision-making from one of the chief supporting characters, and which is reprised minutes later with a conclusion that makes no sense whatsoever. Characters are no better on paper, such as the antagonist whose evil scheme is left a total mystery to audience and heroes alike for the majority of the length, or major supporting character Harry Fontana, who rather seems to be in the entirely wrong movie ('Romancing the stone,' anyone?). Even the score of Bob Summers is completely mystifying, bouncing between moods with such disparity that "dynamic" doesn't seem the right descriptor as much as "scattered." In turn, selections remind of (or outright borrow from) John Barry, James Horner, Gustav Holst, John Carpenter, 'The terminator,' Survivor, and more.

And still we return to the issue of pacing, which applies as well to the plot development. The characters are going somewhere, sure enough, but it's not exactly clear where, or why, and I'm not sure that they even know. The advancement of the narrative seems more horizontal than it is vertical, especially as Paul De Meo and Danny Bilson's screenplay throws together a panoply of ideas that struggle to make sense as the digital timer progresses; each new addition is more bewildering than the last, and that includes the astonishing array of devices built into Mandroid, recalling Inspector Gadget. Somehow 'Eliminators' throws together sci-fi, adventure, martial arts, cybernetics, mysticism, a James Bond-esque mad scientist, and more. On that note, it might be worth pointing out that this was released the same year as 'Big trouble in Little China.'

In fairness, I can't say I didn't have a good time watching. I'm not sure how much of the fun this has to offer is owed to its own merit, versus what results from the sheer bafflement of the viewing experience, but one way or another, 'Eliminators' IS entertaining. And while the writing is flummoxing and Peter Manoogian's direction is slothful, there's still a lot to earnestly appreciate here. The production design and art direction are pretty great; the costume design, and hair and makeup work, sometime belie the meager financial resources of the picture, but they're not bad in and of themselves. While post-production effects are a tad subpar for the mid-80s, any practical effects are swell, and I do earnestly admire the stunts and action scenes, flawed though they may be. While the narrative as it is presents is perplexing, and the movie at large, there actually are neat ideas here. And hey, kudos to the cast, who put in honest effort and were at least enjoying themselves.

I don't entirely know what to make of this. It's entertaining, sure enough, but for what reason is another matter. I don't really know who I would recommend this to except those who are already well enamored of B-grade romps, and even then opinion will doubtlessly vary. From the very beginning to the very, very end it's a wild ride, and sometimes a very puzzling one. If you like all the weird schlock that cinema has to offer, though, 'Eliminators' just might be for you.

While this film has "I am a B Movie" written all over it, it is actually very enjoyable. The person who holds this all together is Andrew Prine (from V.) He is a very likeable river "scum." The scenes on the river are very fun and they really keep this movie from being a "B" movie the whole time.

If you want to have a "no brainer" good time, rent this movie!

I give this film a B.

When you're 14 years old, you can't yet comprehend that a movie can be a bad. Seeing the Mandroid rolling around, knowing that a ninja was in this movie, I lost my mind and couldn't wait to see it. But when you're 14, you often are at the mercy of your family's viewing choices (look, it was a different world in 1986. We only had one TV to watch movies on). I would have to wait 31 years to see this film and I can honestly tell you — it is a complete piece of crap.

It's an entertaining piece of crap, though.

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Basically this movie doesn't have one good idea of its own and that's why it 'borrows' much from other movies but it doesn't do this very good or effectively.

Main problem with this movie is that it picks a strange approach with its story. What could and should had been a cyborg action flick is now an adventure movie through the jungle, without ever becoming a good, tense or exciting one to watch. The movie is basically constantly more of the same, when new characters emerge, who for some reason want to see our main heroes dead. The story picks just such an interesting and uninspired approach. It's main premise still lets the movie sound good but the actual end result is simply a failure. It just isn't the best going movie.

The movie makes some strange twists and turns in an attempt to give the movie an adventurous and perhaps even an epic kind of feeling over it. Needless to say they failed miserably.

The movie has some silly futuristic gadgets and futuristic images in it, like you could only expect from a silly '80s flick. Of course all of its special effects aren't quite top-notch looking yet but I have to admit that for 1986 standards it simply is not too bad.

I think this movie its intentions were quite serious but however the end result of course is nothing but a typical '80's B-movie and not a very good one either. It's one with a bad cast and crew involved. The music is dreadful and doesn't even sound like it got written for this movie at all. All of the other production values are all also really lacking. Same can be said for the script, that also doesn't really feature the best dialog imaginable.

So even though they aren't being helped with a good script or dialog, also the actors themselves are bad and lacking in their skills. Guess they just went along with the cheapest actors available at the moment.

Perhaps the movie would had still been better to watch with some more action in it. Instead now all we are having are same lame small attempts at action and also lacks a nice spectacular and memorable finale. The movie lacks 2 or 3 real big action sequences, that could had really spiced up things a little.

This movie unfortunately makes a lot of wrong choices.

3/10

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Wow, what a perfect Saturday afternoon B-movie! It has that very rare quality of B-movies, in that is is both aware and unaware of its campy status. Seriously, as the amazingly varied collection of characters adds up (river-rat, scientist, robot, ninja, cavemen, Roman soldiers, and on) you will never be bored. The special effects are just cheap enough to make you smile, but not so cheap that you won't feel satisfied. And there's a nice finish that really rounds out the whole experience. There is a lot to like, for kids or B-movie lovers, but somehow it never degenerates into the lesser-desirable qualities of the "so bad it's good" genre. It is an honest and successful attempt at comic-book entertainment. And really, you have to see that Mobile Unit in action! How cool is that?!?!

I came across this movie purely by accident (part of a DVD collection of 80's fantasy/sci-fi movies). Watched it last night on my home theater. Watch it, if you have the chance, because it's one of the most interesting low-budget films of the 1980's.

This movie has everything: a "mandroid" Terminator-type robot, a gutsy female robotics expert, a Humphrey Bogart/African Queen boat captain, a Ninja warrior, Neanderthal cavemen, an R2D2 clone, southern rednecks (wait till you see "Bayou Betty"!)---and a villain cyberneticist whose real ambition is to travel back in time and become a Roman Emperor! Surprisingly everything holds together very well, and from beginning to end it definitely keeps you entertained. It's a great family film, with action for the kids, and just enough intelligence and wit to make it interesting for the adults.

One of the best if not the best "80's B movies". Watch it!

An abysmally bad buddy-buddy-buddy-buddy movie with Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar on Star Trek: The Next Generation). Laughable scenes: the animation of SPOT, Nora Hunter's robot, and the bar brawl that occurs when riverboat guides battle over who gets to take Denise down the river. (Maybe they're all trekkies?)

First, take everything that was good about Return of the Jedi. Next, take everything that was good about Romancing the Stone. Finally, take everything that was good about Indiana Jones. Throw all of that away, mix up the tripe that remains, and you've got Eliminators.

While the "mandroid" (yes, that's what he's called) is our central protagonist, much of the movie takes place on a river, complete with wacky boat hijinks (and a poorly-aged lesbian stereotype) which basically leaves our cyborg hero to sit and wait.

Instead of R2D2, we get (obviously plastic on a string) Spot. Instead of Obi-wan, we get a kungfu dude hanging out in the middle of a jungle for no apparent reason. And instead of Ewoks, we get.. pygmies.

If this dreck was the only thing on TV, you'd be forgiven for watching it. In this day and age of anything on demand, go watch something else.

I saw this movie when I was about 12 and into the whole "robots are cool" phase. I happened to see it at the store for about $3 (it has been over 10 years!)and thought why not. Should have saved my three bucks! Not as cool as when I was 12, but I still like Spot. He was the best part of the whole movie!!! Yes, the graphics are bad and the plot fairly lame, but it is a good laugh for bad acting. The boat chase is fun if you like to watch things blow up. Could you blame the Mandroid for going after his "creator"? That guy really screwed him up!! But, justice was done in the end and I enjoyed that!!

A kid into robots may enjoy it.

Only if you got a really big appetite for a 80s schlock 'n' cheese feast I can recommend Eliminators to you - and if you don't know it yet. This was for me the reason to watch Eliminators these days for the very first time. The story is a trashy piece with some really fun ideas, but, besides some funny moments and action sequences, Eliminators won't hit the marker of being a cult movie or something that I would like to see sometime again. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood for Eliminators but some parts just felt too lengthy to me. Anyway, cast is rock solid for that kind of movie, some ideas are really good fun in the pulpy/Penny dreadful kind of way, and if you want some mindless 80s action adventure with some elements of sci-fi (maybe just for nostalgic reasons) you may dare to put this one on your menu. But to be honest, to watch Cyborg (1989, van Damme) or Cherry 2000 (David Andrews, Melanie Griffith) once again is (in my opinion) the better choice to waste some spare time on 80s B/C-movie trash.

i got this film thinking it would be apocalyptic but it wasn't so i'm a little disappointed... but there were a couple sweet parts. the best part is that quote that's on here. the way it's delivered really is priceless. i was shocked by how much the caveman elder looked like Mortiis from Emperor and at one point the kung fu character jumps through a a big fan and for some reason i thought that was pretty sweet. to me those were the 3 moments. i think if this movie wasn't PG it would be a lot better but the little cute robot sucks and more people should have been murdered. but i was looking for an apocalyptic film and didn't get one. but oh yeah when the android gets back his tires and the stupid thugs chase him on three-wheelers that's also pretty sweet.

i thought that the films stereotypes of southerners were really un-PC and not cool though.

I think, this movie and not "Plan 9 from Outer Space" is the worst movie of all times. ("Plan 9" is also bad, of course.) " Eliminators" is stupid, cheap, illogical and full of continuity gaps and really bad special effects.

The whole story is just cheesy. And those references to "Terminator 2"... it's just unfair. Not to speak of the weak attempts giving the characters emotional depth... How can anyone do such a crab? And it's also hard to believe for me, that Denise Crosby is in it. (Even though, some "Next Generation" episodes aren't much better.) I hope, Bing Crosby, her grandfather (!), will never see that movie in afterlife. If it would be possible, I would give it 0 points from 10.

Over the past 15 years, there have been a couple of obscure DVD titles that I have been desperately trying to locate. These are generally films that I screened when I was a teenager on VHS, and for any number of reasons, they have yet to see new life on DVD.

Last year, I was lucky enough to locate a few titles – Kiss and the Phantom of the Park, the Roger Corman version of The Fantastic Four and Blood Beach. This year, I recently scored with finding a few other titles from my list including the 1986 non-classic Eliminators.

Released by Empire Pictures, Eliminators was the story about a downed pilot that is transformed into a cyborg "Mandroid" by two scientists (Dr. Reeves and Dr. Takada) - one of which (Reeves) has a penchant for evil. When Dr. Reeves orders the Mandroid destroyed, the cyborg (played by actor Patrick Reynolds) escapes from his creator's laboratory and heads north in search of someone who can assist in getting revenge and stopping Dr. Reeves from realizing his evil plan that includes the use of a time machine. Help comes in the form of Nora Hunter (Denise Crosby from Pet Semetary) who is a doctor/scientist of her own. Together they will team up for a terribly ridiculous adventure that will eventually lead them to a confrontation with evil Doctor and a chance to thwart his dastardly plans.

Eliminators was released on February 2, 1986 to a dismal $1.9 million opening week-end. And on re-screening, it is not hard to see why the film was so overtly ignored. The Mandroid in the film resembled a poor man's Robocop (which was released the following year). And his various mechanical costume gadgets that included lasers, grapple hooks and even motorized boots, were laughable instead of innovative or awe striking.

The evil Dr. Reeves (Roy Dotrice) hams up the screen, but he really makes Ming the Merciless in Flash Gordon look like an Academy Award performance when contrasted. And a host of other supporting characters including Bayou Betty and Maurice are straight out of The Dukes of Hazzard.

The special effects in Eliminators were equally atrocious. From the small teleporting robot that was their sidekick to the laser shootouts, the movie really failed to deliver on any of the promises projected from the movie's poster and cover art.

Luckily Denise Crosby and Andrew Prine as the playful Harry Fontana give the film enough life to keep us smiling through all the disappointment.

Eliminator s was therefore terrible. But we expected such a response and wanted it as part of our collection anyways. It can sit proudly beside Megaforce and Ice Pirates and badly conceived and executed movies from our past that were entertaining as youngster and almost unbearable as an adult.

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