The Xian Corporation is working on a special project. The heads of the project are Lillian Reynolds (Louise Fletcher) and Michael Brace (Christopher Walken). Assisting them is Hal Abramson (Joe Dorsey). The guinea pig for all the test experiments is Gordy Forbes (Jordan Christopher). The team reports to CEO Alex Terson (Cliff Robertson). After years of research, development and testing the team has a significant breakthrough. The mission was the development of technology that can record what someone is actually experiencing and transfer those sensations into the brain of another person.
The devices used to record the experiences require a headset that resembles a helmet and is cumbersome to wear. Alex brings in Michael’s estranged wife, Karen (Natalie Wood) to work on reducing the size of the headset to make using the device easier. While testing the new headset the team realizes that it also records the emotions of the person who is using the transmitter headset and implants them into the brain of the person using the receiver headset.
It doesn’t take long for people in the lab to begin to use the equipment for their own fantasies, some with disastrous results. When Lillian, alone in the lab, has a heart attack she manages to put the transmitter headset on and records her own death, and afterlife. Michael becomes obsessed with experiencing the recording but is interrupted by Hal before he can complete the experience.
In the meantime, the government takes over the project wanting to use it for military psychological warfare purposes. They call it “Project Brainstorm”. The government locks away the tape and kicks Michael out of the lab. Michael becomes fixated on both viewing the tape and in interfering with the government’s plans on weaponizing the device.
"Brainstorm" was released in 1983 and was directed by Douglas Trumbull. It is an American science fiction thriller with some cyberpunk influences.
The film is loaded with special effects, especially towards the end of the film, which ended up being pretty awesome. The pacing is decent for the most part except for some slow spots in the middle of the film. It’s not enough to ruin anything but you need to stay with it to get your dessert at the end. Some of the tools used in the experiments are a little dated but that actually makes the movie more enjoyable. It’s a great story told with 80’s flair.
Natalie Wood died in a reported drowning accident during the final filming of the movie. There were a lot of rumors swirling around about that. To be able to complete the film, Director Trumbull used various lighting and shooting angles to disguise the fact that Natalie’s younger sister, Lana Wood, filled in as her double. At the time MGM had been having financial difficulties and wanted to scrap the film and cash in on the insurance from Natalie’s death. Director Trumbull and the insurance company, Lloyd’s of London, had other ideas.
Christopher Walken’s wife, Georgianne, played the part of Hal Abramson’s wife, Wendy.