Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace

Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace 1996

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Plot Summary


In a remarkable twist of fate, Dr. Benjamin Trace finds himself on the wrong side of a legal dispute, after his groundbreaking invention, the Chiron Chip, faces patent denial. This advanced operating system, which has the power to oversee all others, presents a significant danger if it falls into the wrong hands in our technology-driven world. Now, under the control of corporate magnate Jonathan Walker, the Chiron Chip’s development proceeds, leading him to discover Jobe Smith, a man once on the brink of death after the collapse of Virtual Space Industries. Resuscitated and reformed, Jobe is connected to their database, allowing Walker’s team to utilize his distinctive abilities to refine the Chiron Chip.

Fast forward six years, Peter Parkette, now a 16-year-old adept hacker, survives in the gritty underbelly of cyberpunk Los Angeles among a community of runaway teens. While exploring the intricate tunnels, Jobe, now integrated with Cyberspace, reaches out to Peter through their common virtual universe. With Peter’s help, Jobe seeks out Dr. Trace, who has secluded himself in a desert hideaway, pleading for enlightenment on the Egypt link—a concealed Nano routine embedded within the design of the Chiron Chip. However, when Trace refuses to share this critical knowledge, worried about Jobe’s unstable condition, the furious cyber-being retaliates by taking control of the subway system, causing a devastating train collision. In a stroke of luck, Dr. Trace manages to redirect the speeding train into a construction site, averting disaster.

Whilst this chaos unfolds, Walker and his team are gearing up to showcase the Chiron Chip’s functions and the virtual city it promises to create. However, Walker’s hidden agenda for the technology is to employ it for espionage and manipulation. As Jobe becomes a mere puppet under Walker’s control, he is tasked with eliminating anyone who poses a threat to their plans, including causing a plane crash that claims the life of a senator opposed to the chip’s launch.

As Trace, Peter, and their allies endeavor to penetrate Virtual Light Industries for the Chiron Chip, they soon face Jobe’s fury. Just when it seems they are doomed, Dr. Cori Platt, Trace’s former partner and romantic interest, arrives just in time to save them. The situation escalates into a high-stakes confrontation between those who seek to exploit the Chiron Chip for selfish gains and those who vow to thwart its potential misuse.

In an unexpected twist, Walker’s crew uncovers that the Chiron Chip they believed to be in their possession was a mere decoy, as the authentic chip remains securely stored in Walker’s office, ready to create devastation. Meanwhile, Jobe has unleashed the chip’s power, sowing chaos by hacking financial systems, ATMs, and critical infrastructures, all aimed at bringing about utter destruction to enable his virtual supremacy.

Determined to thwart Jobe’s wicked ambitions, Walker takes the lead against his twisted creation, but ultimately falls prey to his own security team, who mistakenly perceive him as a threat and shoot him in a barrage of bullets.

Back at Virtual Light Industries, Trace reveals that the enigmatic Egypt link is, in fact, a clever failsafe designed to prevent the Chiron Chip’s misuse. Unbeknownst to Jobe, this safeguard was crafted without his awareness. As the team converges on Jobe’s virtual stronghold in a frantic attempt to rescue him from his self-destructive path, the “Egypt” protocol activates, wreaking havoc in the virtual realm and reverting Jobe to his initial, diminished state.

As the turmoil subsides, Peter approaches the subdued Jobe, but is quickly seized by Walker—injured and frantic—who takes him hostage in a desperate gambit for the Chiron Chip. With a sudden flash of insight, Jobe acts quickly to enable Trace to strike, leading to Walker’s demise through exposed wiring in the chaos.

In the aftermath of this harrowing sequence, Peter and his comrades gather the once-chaotic Jobe as they make their way back home, profoundly altered by their near-catastrophic journey.

Timeline


Invention of the Chiron Chip

Dr. Benjamin Trace invents the groundbreaking Chiron Chip, an advanced operating system with capabilities to oversee other systems. However, the chip faces a patent denial, leading to a significant legal dispute that turns Trace's life upside down.

Chiron Chip Under Corporate Control

The Chiron Chip is placed under the control of corporate magnate Jonathan Walker, who sees its potential for commercial gain. Walker's team discovers Jobe Smith, a man connected to a broken tech project, and they intend to leverage his abilities to enhance the chip's functionality.

Jobe Smith's Transformation

Jobe Smith, previously near death, is resuscitated and integrated with Cyberspace. He becomes a crucial part of the team working on the Chiron Chip, extending his reach into virtual worlds.

Peter Parkette's Struggles

Fast forward six years, Peter Parkette, a talented hacker, navigates the dangers of cyberpunk Los Angeles. Living among runaway teens, he spends his days exploring the intricate tunnels of the city, unaware of the looming chaos tied to the Chiron Chip.

Six Years Later Cyberpunk Los Angeles

Jobe's Plea for Help

Jobe reaches out to Peter through their shared virtual universe, seeking assistance in locating Dr. Trace. He is desperate for answers regarding a secret routine hidden within the Chiron Chip, particularly the mysterious 'Egypt' link.

The Subway Incident

In a fit of rage after Dr. Trace refuses to help, Jobe takes control of the subway system, leading to a catastrophic train collision. Fortunately, Dr. Trace manages to redirect the train to a construction site, saving countless lives from disaster.

Subway System

Walker’s Espionage Plans

Jonathan Walker prepares to showcase the Chiron Chip, promoting its potential to create a virtual city. However, his true intentions involve using the technology for espionage, revealing the moral corruption underlying his business ambitions.

Elimination of Threats

Under Walker's command, Jobe is manipulated into performing dangerous tasks, including orchestrating a plane crash that kills a senator. This act is part of Walker's strategy to eliminate anyone who opposes the chip's deployment.

Confrontation at Virtual Light Industries

As Trace, Peter, and their allies infiltrate Virtual Light Industries, they face Jobe's wrath. Just when it seems they are doomed, Trace's former partner, Dr. Cori Platt, arrives, turning the tide in their favor amidst the turmoil.

Virtual Light Industries

The Decoy Chiron Chip

In a shocking twist, Walker's team discovers that the chip they thought was real was merely a decoy. The actual Chiron Chip remains secured in Walker's office, posing a grave danger, as chaos unfolds in the digital realm.

Jobe's Rampage

Jobe, now unleashed with the power of the Chiron Chip, wreaks havoc by hacking into financial systems and critical infrastructure. His objective is to create destruction that would cement his dominance in the virtual world.

Walker's Downfall

As Walker attempts to regain control, he is mistakenly shot by his own security team, who perceive him as a threat. His ambition leads him to meet a tragic end due to the very chaos he sought to control.

Walker’s Office

Revelation of the Failsafe

Back at Virtual Light Industries, Dr. Trace reveals that the mysterious Egypt link is actually a failsafe designed to prevent misuse of the Chiron Chip. This safeguard was implemented without Jobe’s knowledge, adding a layer of irony to his destructive path.

Activation of the Egypt Protocol

As Trace and his team converge on Jobe's stronghold, the Egypt protocol is activated, causing chaos in the virtual realm. Jobe is reverted to his simplified state, facing the consequences of his actions.

Jobe's Virtual Stronghold

Aftermath and Transformation

In the aftermath of their harrowing experience, Peter and his friends regroup, now profoundly changed by the journey. They gather the subdued Jobe, reflecting on the consequences of unchecked technology and the bond they forged through adversity.

Characters


Dr. Benjamin Trace

Dr. Benjamin Trace is a brilliant inventor whose initial aspirations are undermined by corporate greed and betrayal. He is characterized by his determination to prevent the misuse of his inventions and protect those he cares about, often putting himself in harm's way for a greater cause.

💡 Inventor 🤖 Protector

Peter Parkette

Peter Parkette is a skilled hacker and a survivor of the cyberpunk world, embodying the resilience of youth in the face of adversity. His character demonstrates resourcefulness as he navigates the complexities of technology and friendships in a chaotic environment.

🧑‍💻 Hacker 🌆 Survivor

Jobe Smith

Jobe Smith undergoes a complex transformation, from a near-death state to a powerful entity connected to cyberspace. His character grapples with the consequences of his abilities and the manipulation by corporate forces while longing for autonomy.

💻 Cyber Being 😞 Manipulated

Jonathan Walker

Jonathan Walker is the corporate antagonist, representing greed and the ethical dilemmas posed by technological advancement. His ambition leads him to exploit others for personal gain, illustrating the darker side of innovation.

💰 Corporate 🔥 Antagonist

Dr. Cori Platt

Dr. Cori Platt is a pivotal character, serving as Dr. Trace's former partner and a beacon of hope. Her timely intervention showcases her bravery and commitment to the cause, reflecting the balance between intellect and emotion.

👩‍🔬 Scientist ❤️ Love Interest

Setting


Time period

Future (6 years later)

The events unfold six years after the fall of Virtual Space Industries, indicating a period where technology has significantly advanced. The future setting resonates with themes of corporate intrigue and the potential dangers of uncontrolled technological evolution.

Location

Los Angeles, Desert Hideaway

The movie predominantly takes place in a cyberpunk rendition of Los Angeles, a city known for its vibrant culture and technological advancements. In contrast, the desert hideaway offers a stark and isolated environment where Dr. Trace seeks refuge from the chaos of his life.

🏙️ City 🌵 Desert

Themes


⚔️

Conflict

The movie explores the theme of conflict between good and evil, as various characters clash over the control of the Chiron Chip. The struggle epitomizes the battle against corporate greed and the exploitation of technology for nefarious purposes.

🖥️

Technology

Technology serves as both a tool for advancement and a source of chaos in the film. The Chiron Chip symbolizes the potential of artificial intelligence, but it also highlights the risks involved in letting technology operate beyond human control.

💔

Redemption

The theme of redemption surfaces through Jobe's character arc, as he transitions from a puppet of corporate ambition to a self-aware being seeking liberation. His journey raises questions about identity and the potential for change.

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