Hands Of Steel

Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Hands of Steel is an exhilarating 1986 science fiction flick that brims with action sequences, complex existential concepts, and thrilling motifs of man versus machine. At the core of this high-octane sci-fi thriller lies the eternal theme of human identity and the struggle of a man wading through his forced evolution from human to cyborg.

The movie kickstarts with our main protagonist, Paco Queruak, portrayed by the muscular Daniel Greene, whose life takes a drastic turn post becoming a cyborg. Paco, an ex-military, is a cyborg who was previously a one-time war hero heralded by his relentless strength and bravery but now sinks into the abyss of his imposed monstrous transformation. Constructed with an artificial body as a result of a covert scientific experiment, Paco transcends human abilities, making him an unstoppable force.

Paco's life, however, is not his own. He is under the sway of a ruthless tycoon who has plans to utilize the cyborg power for his sinister purposes. Paco is assigned to murder an environmental scientist who stands in the proprietor's way of expanding his industrial empire. The plot starts to thicken when Paco, despite being a cyborg, is unable to kill his target due to lingering remnants of human decency and compassion.

The tycoon's relentless pursuit to annihilate anyone who obstructs his dreams of industrial expansion, and his disposition towards using cyborgs as operative tools sets the movie on a fiery course of action; intertwined with Heart-racing chase scenes, explosive confrontations, and gripping climactic showdowns.

The movie adeptly portrays the element of humanity braced in the dystopian world through Janet Agren's role as Linda. Agren's character bumps into Paco, fixating herself in an effort to help him rediscover the common bonds of humanity that he believes are lost within him. The duo bravely defy their pursuers throughout their journey and in doing so, reshape their concepts of what it means to be human.

Adding depth to the plot is the compelling antagonist performance by Claudio Cassinelli. Cassinelli plays his part with an unnerving ease, adding profound disquiet to his supremely sinister character. His brutal and calculated demeanor resonates with the raw magnetism required for a villainous role.

Directed by Sergio Martino, Hands of Steel distinctly exercises its merit in applying classic motifs of dystopian science fiction. The movie is shot in a muted, dreary palette of colors that accurately depict the bleakness of a post-apocalyptic world, dominated by sterilized, cold scientific experiments and dominated by exploitative tycoons. This visual narrative smoothly contrasts and highlights the warmth and emotional clarity whenever the frame pivots to human interaction, effectively striking a balance between the mechanistic and the humanistic sides of the storytelling.

Adding to the visuals is a pulsating and synth-heavy soundtrack that injects a visceral urgency and suspense into the scenes, enhancing the overall mood and pace of the film. The fight sequences are choreographed with precision, combining raw power with the surreal grace of a cyborg's movements, that keeps the viewer gripped to the narrative.

Hands of Steel exploits the popular Sci-Fi trope of man's own creations turning against him, including flashes of moral implications of unchecked scientific advancements. The overarching narrative is an engaging exploration of identity, consciousness, and morality in a dystopian setting.

In summary, Hands of Steel is a throwback to classic science fiction that poses thought-provoking questions on the nature of humanity and the challenges associated with technological progress. The impressive performances from the lead cast complemented by an intriguing storyline and on-point production values make Hands of Steel a treat for both fans of action cinema and science fiction alike, leaving one to ponder the toll technology can take on the very essence of what makes us human.