Is Hardware a Hidden Treasure or Dumpster Fire?
Blu-ray Distributed By: Ronin Flix / June 28, 2018
In this action-packed thriller set in the near future, earth has become a brutal, dehumanized planet where radiation and pollution have taken over. On leave from the combat zone, Mo returns home with broken pieces of a combat android machine and gives them to his girlfriend as a gift to use in her artistic metal sculptures. Little do they realize that this android – Mark 13 – the most destructive droid of its kind – is not scrap metal just yet. Its aim is simple – kill and destroy anything that gets in its way. Late at night, the killing machine starts to reassemble itself and begins its task, wrecking havoc and destruction on anyone or anything in its path. Mo must help Jill and the tenants of her apartment building escape the wrath of the Mark 13.
Starring Dylan McDermott, Stacey Travis, Iggy Pop, Lemmy, John Lynch, William Hootkins
In this action-packed thriller set in the near future, earth has become a brutal, dehumanized planet where radiation and pollution have taken over. On leave from the combat zone, Mo returns home with broken pieces of a combat android machine and gives them to his girlfriend as a gift to use in her artistic metal sculptures. Little do they realize that this android – Mark 13 – the most destructive droid of its kind – is not scrap metal just yet. Its aim is simple – kill and destroy anything that gets in its way. Late at night, the killing machine starts to reassemble itself and begins its task, wrecking havoc and destruction on anyone or anything in its path. Mo must help Jill and the tenants of her apartment building escape the wrath of the Mark 13.Key:
(5 / 5): A Must Own Movie
(4 / 5): Deserves Repeat Viewings
(3 / 5): Worth Checking Out Once
(2 / 5): Limited Appeal
(1 / 5): Please Don’t Watch
(0 / 5): Why Must You Torture Yourself?
Jimbo’s Take 
(3.5 / 5)
Why I own it… (Blu-ray Score) (4 / 5)
If you’re looking for the definite edition of Richard Stanley’s Hardware, it has finally arrived courtesy of RoninFlix. Everything from every previous release is included in this 2-disc set so whether you’re a hardcore Richard Stanley fan, or a casual sci-fi/horror viewer, there is something in this “ultimate” release
Full package! Great video, great audio, extras out the ass.
This low-budget sci-fi/thriller from 1990 is one of a long list of movies I’ve always known about but never rented. I was always skeptical of the box art promise that Hardware was the “best sci-fi/horror film since Alien.” Spoiler alert: It’s not!
However that doesn’t mean the film isn’t worth seeking out. Originally released on blu-ray in 2009 by the good folks at Severin Films, This title had previously been released by
s been released in a couple of different versions on blu-ray in the USA. The first was a Severin Films (now out of print) 2009 release. This review covers the most recent “exclusive” release found only at Roninflix.com.
Even Director Richard Stanley admits that the premise is something we’ve largely seen before, just tweaked a little bit.
In fact, the story is so familiar that Stanley was sued by the creators of underground comic 2000 AD for plagiarism. The British courts found in favor of 2000 AD
All things considered, I probably would have let Hardware pass me by, not giving it a second glance. However, the fantastic documentary Future Shock! The Story of 2000AD showcases Pat Mills (Creator and first Editor of 2000AD) directly accusing Hardware writer/director Richard Stanley plagiarizing 2000ADs “Shok!”
and a court decision would side with Mills and 2000AD. A title card is now tacked on to the end of any subsequent releases of Richard Stanley’s freshman feature film.
And like the court case, I find the backstory and behind the scenes drama infinitely more interesting that the film itself.
The Scala Theater…
Future Shock!
First released via Severin Films, now a Ronin Flix exclusive.
Thought is was meh until special features.
Richard Stanley is a weird and interesting dude. Dust Devil. The Island of Dr. Moreau. The Otherworld Doc. Dr. Moreau Doc.
I think Richard Stanley’s ideas for the never-to-see-the-light-of-day sequel sound infinitely more intriguing than the first film.
If you missed out on Severin Films (now out of print) 2009 blu-ray release, you can rest easy that a new and better version exists. Ronin Flix ports over all of Severin’s previous extras and includes even more. This is certainly the definitive edition of Hardware
What’s the best or most memorable part?
Hidden Treasure/Dumpster Fire?
| Jimbo: |  (4.0 / 5) |
| Jamie: |  (5.0 / 5) |
| Travis: | (5.0 / 5) |
| Average: |  (4.7 / 5) |
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Special Features
DISC 1:
- Feature Film
- Audio Commentary with writer/director Richard Stanley
- Deleted and Extended Scenes
DISC 2:
- New Interview with writer/director Richard Stanley
- Interview with Iggy Pop
- No Flesh Shall Be Spared – The Making of Hardware
- 3 Richard Stanley Shorts: Incidents in an Expanding Universe – Early Super 8 version of Hardware, The Sea of Perdition, and Rites of Passage
- Richard Stanley on Hardware 2
- Vintage Hardware Promo Videos featuring Iggy Pop and Lemmy
- Theatrical Trailer (English & German)
