Brainscan

A virtual reality game that allows players to commit murders is the crux for the high-tech thriller Brainscan. Edward Furlong (Terminator 2) stars as a monster movie/video game fanatic who receives a CD-ROM that challenges players to carry out brutal killings. When Furlong discovers that the murder has also occurred in real life, he attempts to rid himself of the game, but its hideous "referee," Trickster (T. Ryder Smith), refuses to let him quit until he has eliminated all witnesses--including the girl he loves (Amy Hargreaves). A flavorless retread of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, Brainscanis undone by its principals' lack of interest in producing a suspenseful film. Director John Flynn offers little variation on its stalk-and-slash scenes, and Furlong gives a half-hearted performance, though some of that blame must lie with Andrew Kevin Walker's leaden script. Brainscanwill offer passing interest to only the most non-discerning Elm Street aficionado. --Paul Gaita