Screamers: The Hunting (2008)

Dir: Sheldon Wilson

I'm not sure why a sequel to a box office failure from over a decade previous was created but as I liked the original and recently re-watched it I thought I might as well check out the sequel. The clincher was that it stars Lance Henriksen. Yeah, he doesn't show up until the last 25 minutes.

Sarge explaining how important this piece of technology is

Thirteen years after the events of the first film, a distress signal is broadcast from the former mining colony Sirius 6B. The Alliance, the creators of the A.I. killing machines nicknamed Screamers, sends out a squad of soldiers to investigate. The squad includes Lt. Victoria Bronte (Gina Holden SAW 3D) the daughter of Alliance commander Joe Hendricksson who she was told committed suicide upon re-entry to Earth after his escape from Sirius 6B (the death is not part of the original film). Along for the ride are the usual assortment of characters seen in a low budget Sci-Fi action / horror film. The Sarge, who happens to be portrayed by the only black actor in the cast, is killed the instant he gives his tab, a device used to be invisible to the Screamers, to another squaddie. Also included for your cliche viewing pleasure is the soldier who thinks it a good idea to download the ROM of a Screamer found in an inactive factory as it is worth millions on the black market. It  is no surprise that his action revives the factory and hundreds of Screamers are soon rolling off the no longer dormant assembly line. As always, the squad must use its wits in a fight to survive and get back to Earth.

Sarge seconds after taking off said important piece of technology

Strip away the smart script and almost all of the tension that stems from wondering who is a Screamer in human guise and this is the first film re-done. It's not a bad film but is disappointing especially considering its parentage and the missed opportunity to improve and expand on a solid Sci-Fi setting.

The film may hold the record for most skulls split on camera. It has that going for it.

** out of ****