Get ready to revisit (or visit) the early days of movie virtual reality. 101 films have released title number 036 on their Black Label.  A cool double pack of films  The Lawnmower Man (1992) and its sequel, Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1995) which is on Blu-ray in the UK for the very first time. 101 Films have put together a 3-disc set including both the theatrical and director’s cuts (39 minutes longer) of The Lawnmower Man, in limited edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork, and complete with a booklet with new writing on the film. 

THE LAWNMOWER MAN

Dr. Lawrence Angelo (played by Pierce Brosnan) is a brilliant scientist obsessed with perfecting virtual reality software. When his experiments on animals fail, he finds the ideal substitute – Jobe Smith (played by Jeff Fahey), a slow-witted gardener. Dr. Angelo’s goal is to benefit his human guinea pig and ultimately mankind itself, but evil lurks in the guise of “The Shop”, a shadow group that seeks to use the technology to create an invincible war machine. When the experiments change the simple Jobe into a superhuman being, the stage is set for a Jekyll-and-Hyde struggle for control of Job’s mind and the future of the world. I really liked The Lawnmower Man and whilst I haven’t seen it for around twenty years, I do have a fondness for the film. Virtual reality didnt exactly take off the way the film had predicted but that’s fine. its a fun movie and the directors cut is the better version.

LAWNMOWER MAN 2: BEYOND CYBERSPACE

Picking up where the original Lawnmower Man ended, Jobe (this time played by Matt Frewer – Max Headroom) has become a hostage in futuristic hell. But when he discovers a computer chip that will give him the key to the ultimate revenge, the battle for world control begins. With stunning special effects, Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace takes you into a world where only the hardwired dare to journey. Whilst this second film isnt as good as the first film, the fact that Matt Frewer is in the movie does make is pretty watchable. Matt’s always a cool actor to watch.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Limited edition rigid box packaging. Limited Edition Booklet: Includes Grassroots and Cyber Suits: Variations of The Lawnmower Man by Rich Johnson and This Diseased Mainframe: The Abject Horror of Bodily Digitisation in The Lawnmower Man by Andy Marshall-Roberts

DISC 1: The Lawnmower Man Theatrical Cut

 • Cybergod: Creating The Lawnmower Man • Audio commentary with writer/Director Brett Leonard and writer producer Gimel Everett • Deleted scenes • Original electronic press kit with cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage • Edited animated sequences • Theatrical trailer • TV spot

DISC 2: The Lawnmower Man Director’s Cut 

• Audio commentary with writer/Director Brett Leonard and writer/producer Gimel Everett • Conceptual art and design sketches • Behind-the-scenes and production stills • Storyboard comparison

DISC 3: Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace

So there you have it, another great release from 101 Films which you can order now