Interesting Links:

Higher-res 4K version (But unfortunately even more censored, and bloody scenes desaturated to gray)

• Original Trailer from 1992
• TV spot
• Wiki page

Split Second is a really weird film, not just because of the unusual mashup of genres, but because it has the bones of a low-budget B-movie, but often feels like a movie with much higher production values.

To give some examples; the dialog is sometimes cheesy in an 80's action movie sorta way, but the actors deliver those lines with way more competence and emotion than you're expecting. The sets aren't made with any exotic materials, but they give off so much atmosphere and character that it gives the impression of a higher budget. The editing sometimes has jarring cuts where it feels like an in-between shot is missing or the continuity is slightly hard to follow, but the rest of the film is so gorgeously lit and framed, that it almost feels like Ridley Scott directed it on an off-day. All of it combined just kinda throws you off what you were expecting it to be.

Rutger Hauer and Alastair Duncan provide some pretty fantastic performances (according to Wikipedia, Hauer was really psyched about the script, which I think comes across in the film), and I think are able to balance the comedic aspects with the bad-assery.

The film was marketed as 'Bladerunner meets Alien', which I get, since stylistically it's pretty bladerunner, but overall I'd say it comes across more like a Carpenter Film, like Escape From New York if it was a monster horror film.

I think the biggest letdown of the movie is certain parts of the soundtrack. Most of it is pretty solid moody 80's synth, but for some action scenes, it'll change to something really budget and cheesy sounding. Apparently those scenes were originally scored by Wendy Carlos, who composed the soundtracks for A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, and Tron, but they ended up removing her tracks and replacing it with the cheesy music. After listening to the other movie soundtracks she did, I can't help but think replacing her tracks were a pretty big L.

Overall it's a pretty damn solid film with good pacing, solid action, and some pretty funny lines. I came away quite pleased to have seen it, and if any of that sounds appealing, I suspect you'll feel the same!