I'll say this for the 'Trancers' films - they waste no time. The plot picks up quickly, and this time around we get the impression that the production struggled to meet the quality of the first two films with a tighter budget. Characters are more caricatured and sleazy, writing is somehow more ham-handed, action sequences feel more forced, and we get the same (somewhat dubious) level of special effects - but much more sparingly. That's not to say that this third film, 'Deth lives!,' isn't entertaining, but I think one needs a strong commitment to the series at this point.
I appreciate the measure of consistency between films at this stage. While a new film-maker (C. Courtney Joyner) has taken on screenwriting and directing duties, Mark Ryder and Phil Davies again provide the original music, and the returning cast includes Tim Thomerson, Megan Ward, Helen Hunt, and Telma Hopkins. Meanwhile we're also treated to the sight of 'Star Trek: Deep Space 9' cast members Andrew Robinson, chewing scenery as villainous "Colonel Daddy Muthuh," and Melanie Smith as the support, RJ, for Thomerson's protagonist Jack Deth.
I also like the set design and decoration here, as the antagonist's base of operations looks in no small part like an unused set from DS9.
On the other hand, by the time 45 minutes has passed, it feels like the film has only just finished preparing itself for action to build in the run to the climax. Yet the movie is already more than half over. An apparent combination of budgetary constraints and a speed-demon screenplay works to kick up the pace so a "complete" story is told in under 80 minutes - at the sacrifice of nuance, depth, and authenticity. The cast does what they can with what they're given, but performances broadly feel notably phoned in. There are some commendable themes to pick up on, but the movie can't really be bothered with them.
And moreso than in the first two films, one shouldn't think too hard about the plot here. I used the word "consistency" earlier, but it maybe doesn't apply so readily to the story. One could possibly argue that the narrative is internally consistent, but things get significantly murkier the moment you try to reconcile 'Trancers III' with its predecessors. To say that 'Deth lives!' is part of the same timeline as the first two features strains credulity, and recognizing the difficulties of time travel as a plot device only goes so far as explanation.
To be fair, there's no intent here except to have fun. Every more hard-boiled critique passes over the heads of a production that doesn't care. Still, the fact is that 'Trancers III,' while moderately enjoyable, is definitely a step or two down from 'Trancers' and 'Trancers II.' It feels like this entry has to work twice as hard, and it still doesn't reach the same level of quality amusement. Even Deth's one-liners fall short.
Ultimately, 'Trancers III' just feels all-around lesser. If someone is an especial fan of someone in the cast, or is intent on watching the whole 'Trancers' series, then 'Deth lives!' isn't bad. If you're looking for a fair sci-fi action flick and aren't very discerning - you could do better, you could do worse. Regardless of who is watching or why, I think perhaps the best I could say is that this is an adequately pleasing way to pass the time. Take that as you will.
