Code 8 Part II – Review

Code 8 Part II – Review

*Full Disclosure: I was a backer of the original Code 8 film, and was looking forward to seeing what Robbie and Stephen would do here.*

**NOTE: this post may be updated with audio once we actually have the chance to talk about it. Until then, you can read Mark’s review below. Remember, though, you can listen to all our discussions of this and every other movie directly over on ACAST. Stay tuned.**

100 Minutes, Rated TV-MA
Written by Chris Pare, Jeff Chan, and Sherren Lee
Directed by jeff Chan

Synopsis:

A girl fights to get justice for her brother, slain by corrupt police officers. She enlists the help of an ex-con and his former partner, they face a highly regarded and well protected police sergeant who doesn’t want to be.

I live the Amell boys; I really do. I enjoyed their time in the CW’s Arrowverse (though Robbie’s was a bit too brief, IMHO), and while Stephen finally has time to ply his trade on the big screen, Robbie has made quite a few moves outside the superhero realm, including films such as ARQ, Simulant, and the Amazon series Uploaded (all of which I enjoyed).

Met Robbie in Vancouver a week or so ago, for Fan Expo.

Very personable, as was Stephen when I met him at an event a couple years ago (with a couple of his Arrow folks, Willa Holland and John Barrowman.

[Because I was traveling, I was unable to partake of the Netflix press junket for Part II with the guys, sadly…]

When Code 8 originally hit, it was a gift from the crowd-sourcing gods: a science fiction film not overweighted with CGI monsters and explosions, but what was effectively a crime drama in a world containing individuals with Powers.

Much like my opinion of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, this formula works because we are made to care for the people, not the powers, and thus end up with a better product because of it.

And so, Code 8 became a success, leading to the inevitability that somehow a sequel would be made, further exploring this world so like ours, but just a bit adjacent.

Enter Netflix. Thank you.

Code 8 Part II has, presumably, a larger budget, and it gets put to use, but not over-use, with the introduction of different robotic police units, along with some expanded scenes of power usage.

After her brother is killed by crooked cops, Pavani finds herself under the (reluctant) protection of Connor Reed, who is just trying to stay out of trouble after completing a five-year stretch in prison covering for Garret, the criminal her brother was working for.

Complicating things, however, is Connor’s desire to stay out of Garrett’s way, Garrett’s relationship with an up-and-coming political cop, Sergeant Kingston (from the first film), and Pavani’s desire for justice (or revenge… you know, whatever works).

Garrett has streamlined the business of using powered individuals to generate a drug and revenue, and Pavani’s own power as a Transducer could be of benefit to him, providing he can keep her alive AND maintain his position.

At it’s heart, Part II functions as a (found) family drama, a crime drama, and finally a science fiction picture. Once again, this emphasis on story over gee-whiz effects pays off, as we’re treated to some lively performances once again from Robbie (who’s the lead here) and Stephen, but also from young Sirena Gulamgaus, who plays Pavani with an innocence and also a bit of an edge, making her someone we can root for, even if all those around her of of questionable moral character.

The performances are also predictably good from Stephen and Robbie, reprising their roles as Garrett and Connor, while Alex Mallari Jr.’s Kingston brings us a conventional (?) villain who holds your attention every time he’s on the screen.

It’s a fun watch, one I highly recommend if you saw the first film.

And if you haven’t seen the first film, get on Netflix and watch it… then watch the sequel.

If you’re disappointed, I don’t know what’s wrong with you.

Code 8 Part II is streaming exclusively on Netflix and stars Stephen Amell, Robbie Amell, Alex Mallari Jr., Sirena Gulamgaus, and Aaron Abrams.

And remember, if the BEST thing you can say about a movie is that it’s “visually stunning,” then they’ve done something wrong.

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