'90s Trash?: Split Second (1992)

 It is way longer than a second- -5 Stars!  Seriously though, this is Split Second, a 1992 Film with a Title so vague it could be about a number of things.  Is it about Time Travel?  How about a Time Loop?  Maybe some Indie Drama about a Couple torn apart by a split second choice gone awry?  Did I accidentally watch a Mumblecore Film?  Nope- it is a Rutger Hauer Vehicle.  This one is all kinds of weird.  Where do I start?  Well, it is a semi-Post Apocalyptic Action Film with clear Sci-Fi Elements, but also strong Horror ones too.  The Plot involves London, Hauer as a grizzled and grimy Police Officer and a strange Serial Killer on the loose.  Nobody believes him about what is really happening.  Will an unlikely new Partner make things work out great...or implode?  To find out, read on...

In a slightly-flooded-but-mostly-fine London, Hauer is a Detective who sure is grizzled and unconventional.

A woman is killed in a Night Club while he's nearby and a bloody message is left for him!

His coworkers don't believe him, still blaming him for the disappearance/death of his Partner.

Hey look- Pete Posthelwaite!

With him continuing to be aggressive and pushing the case, his Captain (who shockingly doesn't like him) assigns him a new partner.

Naturally, said Partner is buttoned-up, well-read and British.

It's the kind of crazy, mismatched stuff you get in the dark future of 2008!

As they work the case, the Partner learns about how a killer has been stalking the City and had a personal connection to Hauer.

How does it keep disappearing so suddenly?  Who (or what) is it?

Complicating matter is the widow of Hauer's Partner (Kim Catrall)?

She quickly becomes a target, since, you know, female agency hadn't been invented yet.

Also note her haircut, which tells you that she just came from Star Trek VI to film this.

Can he get the right combination of guns, guts and help to stop the killer?

Will the reveal of the killer's origins and secret make sense?

Can Hauer stop the creature?  Can his partnership (and his partner!) survive?

Will they do it all in a Split Second?

To find out, stream the Film on Prime and, you know, other places too probably.

A weird mix of Genres and Tone.  To say that this Movie is confusing is a real understatement.  Is it a Horror Film?  Kind of.  Is it a Sci-Fi Film?  Yes.  Is it an Action Film?  Yes.  Does it contain weird comedic moments and tonal shifts?  Also yes.  The whole thing is fun, but it sure is uneven.  One minute, he's sad.  Another minute, he's angry.  Now he's cracking jokes.  Pick a general Tone and personality, would you?  The Plot is decent, but again, uneven.  The person/creature/thing can clearly take out anyone at any time...but just doesn't.  There are times when I don't really know if it *really* wants to achieve its goal.  They later clarify how it has to do things a certain way...but I'm still not sold.  They do a good job building up the threat, mind you.  Hauer is good here and Alastair Duncan as the Partner is good too.  He changes the most here, going from straight-laced to free-form over the course of the Film.  Weirdly enough, I'm playing Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor and he's one of the Leads- what timing.  The killer- who I think you know is a creature by now- looks good and they build up to his/its reveal nicely.  It is worth noting that the Film implies that London is flooding, but never actually can show it.  Oh well.  Split Second is a fun, but confusing mix of Genres and Tone.  If that sounds good to you, you're golden.

Next time, I jump back to the '70s for a more hard Sci-Fi Film.  It has an All-Star Cast (of 3 people), a Planet and a number- the hat trick!  Stay tuned...