Eliminators Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cyborg ditches his tank legs to team up with a Star Trek scientist, a wisecracking riverboat captain, a psychic ninja, and a rolling robot to stop a mad scientist who wants to go back in time in golden armor to rule ancient Rome, encountering cavemen along the way.

🍿 Eliminators: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Mandroid’s Rebellion

Dr. Abbott Reeves, a brilliant but malevolent scientist, constructs a sophisticated cyborg known as the Mandroid from the body of a downed pilot named John. Initially part of time travel experiments alongside his assistant, Dr. Takada, the Mandroid becomes a subject Reeves decides to scrap. Rather than face dismantlement, the Mandroid rebels. Aiding his escape, Dr. Takada is tragically killed by Reeves for his defiance. Distraught and driven by a newfound will to survive, the Mandroid flees, determined to stop Reeves’s dangerous plans and potentially find answers about his human past.

Forging an Unlikely Alliance

Seeking assistance, the Mandroid finds Dr. Nora Hunter, a robotics scientist responsible for some of the technology used in his creation. Nora agrees to help the Mandroid confront Reeves, bringing along her small, helpful surveillance robot, Spot. The pair travels south towards Reeves’s suspected location. To navigate the treacherous jungle terrain, they hire Harry Fontana, a rough-and-tumble riverboat guide known for his mercenary attitude but underlying good nature. This creates a disparate but determined team heading into the unknown.

Journey Through Peril

As the Mandroid, Nora, Harry, and Spot journey towards Reeves’s fortress, they encounter various bizarre obstacles. These include confrontations with rival river captains like Bayou Betty and clashes with Reeves’s henchmen. Their path leads them through strange territories, where they even encounter a tribe of Neanderthals, presumably displaced in time by Reeves’s experiments. During their travels, they also meet Kuji, a mysterious martial arts warrior seeking revenge for the death of his father, Dr. Takada, solidifying the team’s ranks for the final confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mandroid (Patrick Reynolds): A part-man, part-machine former pilot seeking revenge against his creator.
• Dr. Charles Abbott (Andrew Prine): The ruthless scientist responsible for Mandroid’s creation and the primary antagonist.
• Dr. Nora Hunter (Denise Crosby): A brilliant scientist who specializes in android technology and allies with Mandroid.
• Kuji (Conan Lee): A skilled martial artist who helps Mandroid on his journey.
• Harry Fontana (Peter Schrum): A rough-and-tumble riverboat captain who aids Mandroid and his allies.
• Spot (Uncredited): Dr. Hunter’s small, helpful, and loyal robotic companion.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Harry Fontana: “What is this? Some kinda comic book? We got robots, we got cave men, we got kung fu!” – Said incredulously upon meeting the diverse group of protagonists – a cyborg, a scientist with a robot, and a ninja.
• Harry Fontana: “You’re the one who needs bodywork.” – A retort delivered during a confrontation, highlighting the character’s tough, sarcastic attitude.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.5 million
• Domestic Gross: $4,601,256
• Worldwide Gross: $4,601,256

💥 Eliminators Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched Eliminators, and wow. Just… wow. It’s exactly the kind of gloriously bonkers 80s sci-fi cheese I crave. Seriously, a cyborg, a scientist, a ninja, a talking robot, *and* a riverboat captain team up? And they fight a time-traveling villain who dresses like a Roman? Plus cavemen show up? It’s like someone threw a bunch of action figures in a blender and made a movie. Andrew Prine as Harry Fontana is the absolute MVP; his Han Solo-esque charm is perfect. The Mandroid’s rolling leg unit is simultaneously the dumbest and coolest thing I’ve seen. Don’t even get me started on the psychic ninja or the villain’s ridiculous final form. This movie isn’t ‘good’ by conventional standards, but it is pure, unadulterated fun. I had a huge grin on my face the whole time, just watching this insane plot unfold. If you love cheap effects, questionable logic, and characters shouting corny lines, this is your jam. Highly recommend for a ‘check your brain at the door’ movie night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1980s B-movies and cult classics”
  • “Viewers who enjoy campy sci-fi action and adventure”
  • “Audiences looking for lighthearted, unpretentious fun”
  • “Fans of genre mashups (cyborgs, ninjas, time travel, jungle adventure)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Rated PG”
  • “Mild sci-fi violence and action sequences”
  • “Some suggestive themes (brief scene with wet clothing, mild innuendo)”
  • “Dated special effects and costumes”

Professional Reviews

• Original: “”Eliminators” is pure 80s B-movie magic, a glorious mess of sci-fi, action, and adventure that throws everything at the screen and mostly sticks. The plot is nonsensical, involving cyborgs, time travel, ninjas, and cavemen, but the film embraces its absurdity with a wink and a smile. Andrew Prine is a standout as the charmingly roguish river captain, anchoring the disparate characters. Denise Crosby adds a touch of competence, while the Mandroid is… certainly there. The effects are cheap, the logic is non-existent, but the sheer energy and fun are infectious. It’s the kind of movie best enjoyed with friends and a healthy dose of nostalgia.
• Original: “Empire Pictures delivers exactly what you’d expect with “Eliminators”: a low-budget genre mashup designed for maximum Saturday afternoon entertainment. Forget coherence; this is about the spectacle of a cyborg with tank treads fighting a time-traveling Roman wannabe villain. The cast, including a pre-TNG Denise Crosby, looks like they’re having a blast navigating the jungle and the wild narrative swings. While some scenes drag and the effects range from passable to laughable (poor Spot), the film’s goofy charm carries it through. It’s a testament to the era’s willingness to just go for it, resulting in a surprisingly watchable, if deeply silly, adventure.

Audience Reactions

Fans loved the wild, kitchen-sink approach to genres, mashing up cyborgs, ninjas, time travel, and jungle adventure.: Many viewers appreciate it as a fun, campy, and highly entertaining B-movie despite its flaws, often highlighting Andrew Prine’s performance and the sheer absurdity of the plot.

Overall Consensus: A widely enjoyed cult B-movie that is praised for its energetic, ridiculous plot, fun characters, and embrace of cheesy 80s sci-fi conventions, best viewed with a sense of humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Tim Thomerson was originally slated to play the role of Harry Fontana, which ultimately went to Andrew Prine.”
• “Filming took place in Spain, despite the movie’s American and Mexican settings.”
• “Denise Crosby starred in this film two years before becoming widely known as Tasha Yar in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’.”
• “The movie was produced by Empire Pictures, a company known for its prolific output of low-budget genre films in the 1980s.”
• “The UK video release featured cuts to a scene involving nunchucks wielded by the character Kuji.”

🖥️ How to Watch Eliminators?

Released in 1986, “Eliminators” is a cult classic B-movie. As of late 2023/early 2024, it may not be readily available on major subscription streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Max, or Prime Video with a standard subscription. However, it is often available for rent or purchase digitally on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. Physical media options like DVD and Blu-ray releases may also be available for purchase through online retailers like Amazon or specialized movie sites, often as part of multi-film collections. Check specific digital storefronts or physical media retailers for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Eliminators, you might like these similar films:

• The Terminator (1984): Features a cyborg protagonist in a quest involving time travel and escaping a relentless force, albeit with a much darker tone.
• RoboCop (1987): Explores themes of a human transformed into a cyborg and rebelling against his creators, released shortly after ‘Eliminators’.
• The Ice Pirates (1984): A campy, low-budget sci-fi adventure from the same era, known for its blend of action, humor, and quirky genre elements.
• The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984): A quintessential 80s cult classic known for its bizarre blend of sci-fi, action, adventure, and a team of eclectic heroes.
• Robot Jox (1990): Another Empire Pictures production featuring futuristic sci-fi action with practical effects and a B-movie sensibility.

🛒 Eliminators Related Products

• Eliminators (1986) Blu-ray: Experience the cult classic B-movie in high definition, with potential bonus features like trailers or commentary.
• 80s Sci-Fi B-Movie Collection (DVD or Blu-ray Set): A compilation featuring other classic low-budget sci-fi films from the 1980s, similar in tone and style.
• Retro-Inspired Mandroid Action Figure: A collectible action figure based on the unique design of the Mandroid character, potentially including interchangeable parts like tank treads.
• Jungle Adventure / Time Travel Themed Board Game: A board game that captures the spirit of jungle exploration, time anomalies, and unlikely hero teams, inspired by the movie’s adventurous plot.

🎧 Soundtrack

Eliminators features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Eliminators Title Song” – performed by Deborah Galli

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Brandon’s Cult Movie Reviews: ELIMINATORS

Ever wondered what people really think about the wild ride that is ‘Eliminators’? Check out Brandon’s review – he breaks down all the Mandroid, caveman, and ninja madness, and honestly, it’s a pretty hilarious take!

✨ Rate