Code 8

Just finished watching for the second time and while it was great the first time, even better the second. There are NO dull spots, or places where you lose interest. Well written, well directed, and well acted by all the actors. It really shows that it was a labor of love. Stephen and Robbie really need to work together again - wow. Favorite parts - the diner scene, and the fight in the garage. Loved the Arrow reference with the name tag at the bank. Looking forward to visiting this world again - more stories to be told.

This is a very well executed caper/"what if" movie about desperation, redemption. Excellent action sequences, excellent acting, strong direction, well drawn characters, solid special effects (not overdone) and coherent world building (for a change). Secondary characters are three dimensional (even the unlikable ones). This is not a feel good movie, nor an exercise in nihilism and hopelessness trying to make some point. In the end, there is the good, the bad and the anti-hero. All of them well done.

I really tried to like this film. I loved the Youtube short film and, like many others, waited with bated breath for the crowd/fan-funded feature to come out. The Amells are great actors and storytellers, but I felt this movie was really lacking something and could have been done better. I'm interested in seeing more from this story-world and I hope they do more with it. I personally think it would make a great graphic novel series!

I liked how simple, yet impactful they made everything. Acting was on par, good character curve, scenes were cut well. Just enough effects to wet the appetite, but not too much to make it centered around them or to take it over. The movie was a dramatic action movie with effects, not another sci-fi with a poor plot line. I like that the short film touches on the key points without revealing too much about the movie. Some parts were predictable, but delivered well. Some scenes could have been expanded for a more immersive experience overall (evading, hiding, searching) but enough was there to easily connect the dots and keep it enjoyable. I look forward to more from them.

Three...three and a half years ago, I happened across a FB post by Stephen Amell of Arrow fame talking about the idea for this project. I watched the short, proof-of-concept film and really wanted to be a part of it. So, I contributed enough for the Indiegogo fundraiser. It's initial target was somewhere around $250k. That was blown away in short order. And it kept growing...and growing...and growing. Eventually, it was over $2 million! Absolutely amazing how many people believed in this project and helped fund it to become a reality! If you enjoy sci-fi or action movies, I know you will enjoy this film. It is based in a near-future where a minority of people have special powers. These people are pushed to the edges of society where they struggle to live. Robbie Amell, Stephen's cousin and of Flash/X-Files fame, plays Connor, a human gifted with electrical powers. Haunted by the criminal life and death of his father, Connor struggles to make ends meet for him and his mother, whose powers are slowly killing her. Seeking the funding to get his mother the needed medical treatment, Connor runs into Garrett, played by Stephen, who is a drug dealer trying to make a big score and pay off his own debts. The movie has a solid plot, good action and special effects, and asks some very interesting questions about the world. Sung Kang from the Fast and Furious franchise plays a cop chasing Connor and Garrett. His own personal situation provides an interesting twist. The ending of the movie leaves the window completely open for a sequel or series. Again, what Stephen, Robbie, Sung, and the crew have put together is really amazing. And what makes it even better is that they allowed so many of us to buy in and support their efforts. I really hope you enjoy what they have created!

TL;DR Originally, some while ago, I remember watching Code 8's short on YouTube and felt like this would make a great popcorn movie, so when it was available to rent, I opened up the wallet and microwaved some Orville Redenbacher. To cut to the chase, I really enjoyed this! It was like watching the X-MEN meet The FAST and FURIOUS kind of movie, that stays focused and delivers a great story. I could whine about the low budget, or complain about special effects, but that would take away the point that the Amell's and Jeff Chen did a damn good job with what they had and it's a solid piece of work! However, I will say that the beginning of the movie felt like a slow churn, maybe because I was already aware of some of the story line from the film short -- but that aside, the first act still delivered -- exposing a few new characters and settings that had my full attention which moved a few key plot points (-- e.g. the mother, her illness, etc.). And once the second act kicks into gear, I was really locked in, impressed and wishing that this was a streaming series, so that we could see these characters use their skills for future jobs, fast and furious like. Now here is where I kind of spoil things for those who haven't seen the movie yet, but I present this in sort of a wish list ... The Amell's should continue building more stories in this world they've created. More backstory on the mother would be cool. A prequel would show off her surprising freezing talents. Also, was her sickness something that all people with abilities will experience at sometime in their life, or was it something created by a Government sponsored lab attempting to rid the word of those with powers? It's clear that various abilities have limitations or repercussions (like the healers, for example), but it would be nice to see someone, or something that is completely unstoppable. That would shake things up a bit, and even scare citizens from ever trusting 'god like' characters in their midst. Also, it would be nice to know more about the manufacturer of the mechanical cops and drones, and will they update their technology to become even more deadlier? And then there is Agent Park, who had a nice arc in the story, hinting at a possibility to explore his life in future movies or shorts. And I loved the ending with the Healer. Nice touch. In a nutshell, you've created a fan of this potential franchise. I can really see a world of stories sprouting out of this one and I'm truly looking forward to seeing a whole lot more!

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Super film

Bon film, bons acteurs, mais film un peu fade au final. Je recommande quand même car il vaut le coup d'œil.

Fan des cousins Amell

It's ok overall but is a feasible world where people with extra powers (i.e. different) are rendered unlawful unless registered and then descriminated against anyway. This is more of a cop and heist movie. Enhanced people forced into illegal underground activities simply to survive. Heart felt, empathetic, hardcore, dirty, double dealings foul the lives of all. Interesting window of a near future world. Though not sure what the final scene is about.