My "scanner" sees a boring and depressing movie that made me dizzy, gave me motion sickness, and for a variety of reasons made me want to vomit all over the movie theater.

The one almost redeeming quality

But before I go any further, let's discuss the one thing they got right: Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr. and Woody Harrelson play drugged out losers in this film. This casting is top-notch since they also play drugged out losers in real life.

A Scanner Darkly

A truly crap film

A Scanner Darkly takes us through many poorly conceived plot twists which lead nowhere and make you want to kick the director in the face.

This is exactly the type of standard sci-fi bullshit which relies on technical mumbo-jumbo as an excuse to advance the story. You won't find anything worth talking about about such as (for example) character development, clever parallels to real life, or any kind of dramatic theme whatsoever.

Premise

Reeves' character works for a drug enforcement agency. He's been assigned to investige himself and his own drug use. But he's in disguise at work, so his boss and co-workers don't know... right?

If you're ignorant enough to believe a premise as unlikely as this one, you'll be unprepared for some wild plot-twists. Or if you have a goddamn brain, you'll be disappointed by another generic and predictable Hollywood movie which shouldn't have been made.

Conclusion

In sort, this movie takes no direction and says nothing. Take a handful of drugs before viewing and enjoy. Or watch closely, pay attention, and you'll be let down.

After leaving the theater you'll soon forget A Scanner Darkly, especially if you're as stoned as the dullards who made it.

A Scanner Darkly
Year: 2006
Director: Richard Linklater
Writers: Philip K. Dick, Richard Linklater
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder
Link: IMDb