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Nemesis (film)
Encyclopedia
Nemesis is a 1992 science fiction film
by director Albert Pyun
, who also directed the film Cyborg
, and stars Olivier Gruner
. It is the first installment in the Nemesis film series.
) is a disillusioned police
assassin
. During a mission for the futuristic LAPD
, he battles several freedom fighters from a group known as The Red Army Hammerheads, attempting to smuggle information through a courier cyborg. Nearly killed by the surviving leader, Rosaria (Jennifer Gatti
), Alex denies her assertion that he is inhuman: "Eighty-six point five percent is still human."
After extensive rebuilding, he tracks her to Old Baja and kills her. After this his handlers arrive, led by his former lover Jared (Marjorie Monaghan
), who is an android. Alex decides he has had enough and leaves the LAPD, becoming a freelance hustler and triggerman doing odd jobs in the underworld. However, his LAPD bosses are just letting him run free for a while. His old boss Commissioner Farnsworth (Tim Thomerson
) has him ambushed and kidnapped.
They bring him back for one last mission: to find his ex-lover Jared. According to the smug and pompous Germaine (Nicholas Guest
) she has stolen vital security information of an upcoming international summit and must be stopped before she leaks the plans to his old adversaries, the Red Army Hammerheads. Commissioner Farnsworth's lieutenant, Maritz (Brion James
) tells him she has escaped to a remote island in the Pacific. Alex is uninterested, even when Germaine shoves a pistol in his face, coolly warning him: "Pull it and you better use it," before easily disarming and knocking him senseless.
But this is a trick, and the freedom fighters are not fighting against government control of people's lives, but for humanity’s future. A new design of android is infiltrating the high elements of human society, copying the minds of powerful leaders into synthetic bodies, completely loyal to the cyborg cause. Farnsworth is among them.
Alex has added incentive when they reveal to him a bomb was implanted in his heart during his latest series of repairs. He has no choice but to find Jared, who is planning to meet with the leader of the Red Army Hammerheads, Angie-Liv (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
). After flying to the island of Shang-Lu along the Pacific Rim, he is turned loose as bait for Jared.
Burnt out, Alex halfheartedly begins his search, checking into a local hotel. He is soon intercepted by Julian (Deborah Shelton
), a cyborg fronting for Jared. She tells him he is being shadowed by an LAPD strike team led by Commissioner Farnsworth himself, waiting for the opportunity to hit the Hammerheads and Jared.
It turns out that Jared been fatally wounded in her escape from LA, requiring her memory core to be salvaged from her body. After removing a surveillance device implanted in Alex's eye, Julian injects his arm with a digital scrambler that will prevent the bomb from being remotely detonated. She gives him Jared's memory core, enabling him to talk to her. The strike team storms the hotel and Julian sacrifices herself to allow Alex to escape. Alex eventually join forces with a young local woman, Max Impact (Merle Kennedy) who acts a scout for the Hammerheads under the cover of being a tour guide.
She is also the sister of Rosaria, the woman he killed in Old Baja, and wants Alex dead. He is brought to the Hammerheads and decides to join their cause. Unfortunately the strike team has tracked them down, leading to another shootout and chase through the rundown city and jungle. Most of the Hammerheads, including Angie-Liv, are killed by Farnsworth's men. During the escape Alex saves Max, eventually earning her forgiveness. In a final confrontation with Farnsworth, Alex shoots him with a grenade launcher, seemingly blowing him up.
Alex and Max arrive at a secret hangar where Yoshiro (Yuji Okumoto
), a Hammerhead masquerading as the quirky hotel manager, is waiting. While launching their escape vehicle, an aerodyne
, the cyborg Farnsworth, alive but is reduced to his mechanical endoskeleton, attacks. Alex fights and defeats him, before realizing just how much of him is cybernetically enhanced.
Alex brings Jared to another Hammerhead compound where they will be able to locate and destroy the labs that are being used to duplicate people. Unfortunately this means stripping her memory, in effect killing her. Heavily bandaged and temporarily blind, Alex is forced to say goodbye.
Sneaking into LA and hunting down the synthetic agents, Alex corners Germaine on the helipad of LAPD headquarters. Shooting him down, Alex recalls his previous quip: "See Germaine, when I pull it, I use it."
Before she died, Jared told him the real Commissioner Farnsworth left him a letter at an old dead drop. In it, his former mentor apologizes for his sometimes rough treatment of him, reminding him that they all have to do what is right regardless. Alex knows only he can stop the cyborgs in their plans.
Alex walks off with Max, now his partner, and they joke about how they are going to smuggle his synthetic body through airport customs. Grinning, Alex answers, "Piece by piece, Max . . ."
theatrically in the United States by Imperial Entertainment in January 1993, grossing $2,001,124 at the box office. The company also released it on VHS
and laserdisc
the same year.
The film was released on DVD
by Sterling Home Entertainment in 1998. This version is currently out of print
.
The movie received a mixed reception from critics. however, the film is now considered a cult classic
.
In 2010, director Pyun announced his intention to re-release the film in a new, alternate cut that featured enhanced computer effects.
, set 73 years after the events of the first film, Nemesis 3: Prey Harder
which features characters sent back in time to 1998 and Nemesis 4: Death Angel
. Nemesis 3 was made using footage left over from the production of Nemesis 2.
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
by director Albert Pyun
Albert Pyun
Albert Pyun is an American film director best known for having made many low-budget B-movies and direct-to-video action films. He frequently blends kickboxing and hybrid martial arts with science fiction and dystopic or post-apocalyptic themes, which often include cyborgs...
, who also directed the film Cyborg
Cyborg (film)
Cyborg is a 1989 American martial-arts science fiction film directed by Albert Pyun. Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as Gibson Rickenbacker, a mercenary who battles a group of murderous marauders led by Fender Tremolo along the East coast of the United States in a post-apocalyptic future.-Plot:A...
, and stars Olivier Gruner
Olivier Gruner
Olivier Gruner is a former Commando Marine and World Kickboxing Champion. He became an actor specializing in the field of physical fitness.- Early life :...
. It is the first installment in the Nemesis film series.
Plot
Alex Raine (Olivier GrunerOlivier Gruner
Olivier Gruner is a former Commando Marine and World Kickboxing Champion. He became an actor specializing in the field of physical fitness.- Early life :...
) is a disillusioned police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
assassin
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
. During a mission for the futuristic LAPD
Los Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the city of Los Angeles, California. With just under 10,000 officers and more than 3,000 civilian staff, covering an area of with a population of more than 4.1 million people, it is the third largest local law enforcement agency in...
, he battles several freedom fighters from a group known as The Red Army Hammerheads, attempting to smuggle information through a courier cyborg. Nearly killed by the surviving leader, Rosaria (Jennifer Gatti
Jennifer Gatti
Jennifer Gatti is an American actress who has taken on several television roles.She is notable for her portrayal as the first Dinah Marler on Guiding Light from 1986 to 1987, As well as for her role of HIV-positive character Keesha Monroe Winters on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless...
), Alex denies her assertion that he is inhuman: "Eighty-six point five percent is still human."
After extensive rebuilding, he tracks her to Old Baja and kills her. After this his handlers arrive, led by his former lover Jared (Marjorie Monaghan
Marjorie Monaghan
Marjorie Monaghan is an American actress born in California but raised in Ohio. She is best known for her portrayal in 1997 and 1998 of 'Number One', leader of the Mars Resistance, in the television series Babylon 5....
), who is an android. Alex decides he has had enough and leaves the LAPD, becoming a freelance hustler and triggerman doing odd jobs in the underworld. However, his LAPD bosses are just letting him run free for a while. His old boss Commissioner Farnsworth (Tim Thomerson
Tim Thomerson
Joseph Timothy “Tim” Thomerson is an American actor and comedian.Thomerson is most famous for his role as Jack Deth in the Trancers film series and is renowned for his work in numerous low-budget movies and his comedic television roles.-Early life:Tim Thomerson was born in Coronado, California. He...
) has him ambushed and kidnapped.
They bring him back for one last mission: to find his ex-lover Jared. According to the smug and pompous Germaine (Nicholas Guest
Nicholas Guest
Nicholas Haden-Guest is an American actor. He primarily works as a voice actor, but is best known for a TV role, as the principal in the NBC teen sitcom, USA High.-Personal life:...
) she has stolen vital security information of an upcoming international summit and must be stopped before she leaks the plans to his old adversaries, the Red Army Hammerheads. Commissioner Farnsworth's lieutenant, Maritz (Brion James
Brion James
Brion Howard James was an American character actor. Known for playing the character of Leon Kowalski in the movie Blade Runner, James portrayed a variety of colorful roles in well-known films such as 48 Hrs., Another 48 Hours, Tango & Cash, Silverado, Red Heat, The Player and The Fifth Element...
) tells him she has escaped to a remote island in the Pacific. Alex is uninterested, even when Germaine shoves a pistol in his face, coolly warning him: "Pull it and you better use it," before easily disarming and knocking him senseless.
But this is a trick, and the freedom fighters are not fighting against government control of people's lives, but for humanity’s future. A new design of android is infiltrating the high elements of human society, copying the minds of powerful leaders into synthetic bodies, completely loyal to the cyborg cause. Farnsworth is among them.
Alex has added incentive when they reveal to him a bomb was implanted in his heart during his latest series of repairs. He has no choice but to find Jared, who is planning to meet with the leader of the Red Army Hammerheads, Angie-Liv (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
is a Japanese-American actor.In addition to his extensive film work, he has appeared on television in Star Trek: The Next Generation - "Encounter at Farpoint" , Thunder in Paradise , Nash Bridges , Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding , and Heroes . He also provided the voice of Sin Tzu for the video game...
). After flying to the island of Shang-Lu along the Pacific Rim, he is turned loose as bait for Jared.
Burnt out, Alex halfheartedly begins his search, checking into a local hotel. He is soon intercepted by Julian (Deborah Shelton
Deborah Shelton
Deborah 'Debbie' Shelton is an American beauty queen and actress who held the Miss USA title and appeared on Dallas for three seasons.-Pageants:In 1970 Shelton competed in the Miss Virginia USA pageant to spite her then boyfriend...
), a cyborg fronting for Jared. She tells him he is being shadowed by an LAPD strike team led by Commissioner Farnsworth himself, waiting for the opportunity to hit the Hammerheads and Jared.
It turns out that Jared been fatally wounded in her escape from LA, requiring her memory core to be salvaged from her body. After removing a surveillance device implanted in Alex's eye, Julian injects his arm with a digital scrambler that will prevent the bomb from being remotely detonated. She gives him Jared's memory core, enabling him to talk to her. The strike team storms the hotel and Julian sacrifices herself to allow Alex to escape. Alex eventually join forces with a young local woman, Max Impact (Merle Kennedy) who acts a scout for the Hammerheads under the cover of being a tour guide.
She is also the sister of Rosaria, the woman he killed in Old Baja, and wants Alex dead. He is brought to the Hammerheads and decides to join their cause. Unfortunately the strike team has tracked them down, leading to another shootout and chase through the rundown city and jungle. Most of the Hammerheads, including Angie-Liv, are killed by Farnsworth's men. During the escape Alex saves Max, eventually earning her forgiveness. In a final confrontation with Farnsworth, Alex shoots him with a grenade launcher, seemingly blowing him up.
Alex and Max arrive at a secret hangar where Yoshiro (Yuji Okumoto
Yuji Okumoto
is an Japanese-American actor best known for his intimidating movie roles, such as Chozen in The Karate Kid, Part II.-Early life:...
), a Hammerhead masquerading as the quirky hotel manager, is waiting. While launching their escape vehicle, an aerodyne
Aerodyne
Aerodyne may refer to:*Heavier-than-air aircraft, deriving lift from dynamic motion through the air.*The Fender Aerodyne Telecaster, a contemporary model of the classic Fender Telecaster Electric guitar....
, the cyborg Farnsworth, alive but is reduced to his mechanical endoskeleton, attacks. Alex fights and defeats him, before realizing just how much of him is cybernetically enhanced.
Alex brings Jared to another Hammerhead compound where they will be able to locate and destroy the labs that are being used to duplicate people. Unfortunately this means stripping her memory, in effect killing her. Heavily bandaged and temporarily blind, Alex is forced to say goodbye.
Sneaking into LA and hunting down the synthetic agents, Alex corners Germaine on the helipad of LAPD headquarters. Shooting him down, Alex recalls his previous quip: "See Germaine, when I pull it, I use it."
Before she died, Jared told him the real Commissioner Farnsworth left him a letter at an old dead drop. In it, his former mentor apologizes for his sometimes rough treatment of him, reminding him that they all have to do what is right regardless. Alex knows only he can stop the cyborgs in their plans.
Alex walks off with Max, now his partner, and they joke about how they are going to smuggle his synthetic body through airport customs. Grinning, Alex answers, "Piece by piece, Max . . ."
Alternate ending
The Japanese video offers a darker alternate ending. After Alex and Max's conversation about going to New York, Farnsworth appears as they walk up the stairs. A female voice, presumably Jared, asks: "Should we take them out now?". Farnsworth turns his head and answers: "Why not?", suggesting that they succeed in the termination of Alex and Max.Cast
- Olivier GrunerOlivier GrunerOlivier Gruner is a former Commando Marine and World Kickboxing Champion. He became an actor specializing in the field of physical fitness.- Early life :...
as Alex - Tim ThomersonTim ThomersonJoseph Timothy “Tim” Thomerson is an American actor and comedian.Thomerson is most famous for his role as Jack Deth in the Trancers film series and is renowned for his work in numerous low-budget movies and his comedic television roles.-Early life:Tim Thomerson was born in Coronado, California. He...
as Farnsworth - Cary-Hiroyuki TagawaCary-Hiroyuki Tagawais a Japanese-American actor.In addition to his extensive film work, he has appeared on television in Star Trek: The Next Generation - "Encounter at Farpoint" , Thunder in Paradise , Nash Bridges , Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding , and Heroes . He also provided the voice of Sin Tzu for the video game...
as Angie-Liv - Yuji OkumotoYuji Okumotois an Japanese-American actor best known for his intimidating movie roles, such as Chozen in The Karate Kid, Part II.-Early life:...
as Yoshiro Han - Marjorie MonaghanMarjorie MonaghanMarjorie Monaghan is an American actress born in California but raised in Ohio. She is best known for her portrayal in 1997 and 1998 of 'Number One', leader of the Mars Resistance, in the television series Babylon 5....
as Jared - Nicholas GuestNicholas GuestNicholas Haden-Guest is an American actor. He primarily works as a voice actor, but is best known for a TV role, as the principal in the NBC teen sitcom, USA High.-Personal life:...
as Germaine - Vincent KlynVincent KlynVincent Klyn is a New Zealand born actor who has appeared in a number of 1980s and 90s era motion pictures. His most notable role was the 1989 film Cyborg directed by Albert Pyun.-Early life:...
as Michelle - Thom MathewsThom MathewsThom Mathews in Los Angeles, California is an actor who is perhaps best known for his appearance in the horror films Return of the Living Dead and Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.-Career:...
as Marion - Marjean HoldenMarjean HoldenMarjean Holden is an American actress.-Career:Holden made her professional acting debut in 1987 in the feature film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. She has guest-starred in JAG, Tales from the Crypt, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, La Femme Nikita, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Suddenly Susan, and...
as Pam - Brion JamesBrion JamesBrion Howard James was an American character actor. Known for playing the character of Leon Kowalski in the movie Blade Runner, James portrayed a variety of colorful roles in well-known films such as 48 Hrs., Another 48 Hours, Tango & Cash, Silverado, Red Heat, The Player and The Fifth Element...
as Maritz - Deborah SheltonDeborah SheltonDeborah 'Debbie' Shelton is an American beauty queen and actress who held the Miss USA title and appeared on Dallas for three seasons.-Pageants:In 1970 Shelton competed in the Miss Virginia USA pageant to spite her then boyfriend...
as Julian - Jennifer GattiJennifer GattiJennifer Gatti is an American actress who has taken on several television roles.She is notable for her portrayal as the first Dinah Marler on Guiding Light from 1986 to 1987, As well as for her role of HIV-positive character Keesha Monroe Winters on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless...
as Rosaria - Thomas JaneThomas JaneThomas Jane is an American actor known for his roles in the 1999 film Deep Blue Sea, the 2001 TV film 61*, the 2004 film The Punisher and the 2007 Stephen King adaptation The Mist...
as Billy - Jackie Earle HaleyJackie Earle HaleyJackie Earle Haley is an American film actor. Establishing himself from child actor to adult Academy Award-nominee, he is perhaps best known for his roles as Moocher in Breaking Away, Kelly Leak in The Bad News Bears, pedophile Ronnie McGorvey in Little Children, the vigilante Rorschach in...
as Einstein - Borovnisa Blervaque as Morico
- Merle Kennedy as Max Impact
- Adrianna Miles as German National
- Rob CarltonRob CarltonRob Carlton is an Australian actor and writer. He is best known for writing and starring in the comedy series Chandon Pictures. He also had starring roles in the comedy satire The Hollowmen and the children's television series Ocean Star....
as Waiter - Branscombe RichmondBranscombe RichmondBranscombe Richmond is an American character actor and stuntman. He is sometimes credited in films as Richmond Branscombe, Ranscombe Richmon, Ranhome Quickman or Branscom Richmond....
as Mexican Man
Release
The film was given a limited releaseLimited release
Limited release is a term in the American motion picture industry for a motion picture that is playing in a select few theaters across the country ....
theatrically in the United States by Imperial Entertainment in January 1993, grossing $2,001,124 at the box office. The company also released it on VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
and laserdisc
Laserdisc
LaserDisc was a home video format and the first commercial optical disc storage medium. Initially licensed, sold, and marketed as MCA DiscoVision in North America in 1978, the technology was previously referred to interally as Optical Videodisc System, Reflective Optical Videodisc, Laser Optical...
the same year.
The film was released on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
by Sterling Home Entertainment in 1998. This version is currently out of print
Out of print
Out of print refers to an item, typically a book , but can include any print or visual media or sound recording, that is in the state of no longer being published....
.
The movie received a mixed reception from critics. however, the film is now considered a cult classic
Cult Classic
Cult Classic is a Blue Öyster Cult studio recording released in 1994, containing remakes of many of the band's previous hits.-Track listing:# " The Reaper" - 5:05# "E.T.I...
.
In 2010, director Pyun announced his intention to re-release the film in a new, alternate cut that featured enhanced computer effects.
Sequels
The film spawned three sequels titled Nemesis 2: NebulaNemesis 2: Nebula
Nemesis 2: Nebula, also known as Nemesis 2, is a 1995 science fiction film by director Albert Pyun, who also directed the film Cyborg. It is the sequel to Nemesis....
, set 73 years after the events of the first film, Nemesis 3: Prey Harder
Nemesis 3: Prey Harder
Nemesis 3: Prey Harder, also known as Nemesis 3 and Nemesis 3: Timelapse, is a 1996 science fiction film by director Albert Pyun, who also directed the film Cyborg....
which features characters sent back in time to 1998 and Nemesis 4: Death Angel
Nemesis 4: Death Angel
Nemesis 4: Death Angel, also known as Nemesis 4 and Cry Of Angels: Nemesis 4, is a 1996 science fiction film by director Albert Pyun, who also directed the film Cyborg. It is the fourth and last installment in the Nemesis film series....
. Nemesis 3 was made using footage left over from the production of Nemesis 2.