Cyborg 3: The Recycler

At the conclusion of the 1993 film “Cyborg 2: Glass Shadow” the Cyborg “Cash,” (Angelina Jolie), and her human husband “Colton,” (Elias Koteas), find an isolated home in the desert. Colton grows old and dies, but Cash remains youthful in appearance. The story continues in this week’s movie “Cyborg 3: The Recycler” from Trimark Pictures in 1994. Director Michael Schroeder had attempted to replicate the look of the movie “Blade Runner” in the previous picture. Here he seems to find inspiration in the “Mad Max” films. Civilization has fallen into ruin, and humans and Cyborgs struggle to survive in the barren wastes. Richard Lynch plays “Anton Lewellyn,” who hunts down Cyborgs to recycle their body parts. Meanwhile Cash, (now played by Khrystyne Haje), has made an astounding discovery: Her body contains an artificial womb, and somehow she has become pregnant! She seeks the assistance of a human Cyborg designer named “Evans,” (Zach Galligan), and they travel to a Cyborg sanctuary called “Cytown” for safety. But the Recyclers are amassing in numbers to conquer the community and seize the baby!

Once again it is clear that Schroeder is trying to make a good film, and not just capitalize on the original movie’s success. It isn’t a lost masterpiece, but it is a watchable and somewhat entertaining effort.

William Katt turns in a charming performance as a malfunctioning Cyborg named “Decaf.” Malcolm McDowell was featured heavily in the film’s advertising, but he shows up only for a very brief appearance as a criminal mastermind called “Lord Talon.”

Khrystyne Haje unfortunately lacks the screen presence to carry the picture, and is the movie’s biggest weakness. It might have been a better film had Angelina Jolie returned as the main character.