A good sci-fi marred by a rushed and abrupt screenplay
The much-awaited sequel to the 2019 Canadian feature film “Code 8” continues from where the first instalment left off, so it’s integral to watch the original to understand the world of superhumans and their interactions with regular humans in Lincoln City.
The relationship and backstory between two key characters, Connor Reed and Garrett Kelton, were established in the 2019 film, providing context for Part 2.
In Part 1, the audience learns about the 4% of superhumans living in Lincoln City in the twenty-first century. Both Connor Reed and Garrett Kelton work for Marcus Sutcliffe, each with their own ambitions. As the story unfolds, some characters achieve more than they set out for, while others face the consequences of their actions.
Garrett Kelton, initially a hitman under the infamous Marcus Sutcliffe, ends up betraying Sutcliffe and taking over his empire with Connor by his side. In this sequel, Garrett leads his own gang and ventures into the psych business. A new character, Sergeant King Kingston, joins the story and manages to reduce the city’s crime rate after his arrival significantly.
On the other hand, Garrett’s business surpasses Marcus’s, but a twist in the plot changes everything. Meanwhile, 31-year-old Connor finds a new purpose in life five years after Mary’s death. As for the police, they also introduce new gimmicks like the Guardian, adding to the intrigue.
In layman’s terms, the film intertwines the stories of Connor, Garrett, Sergeant Kingston, and others, revealing how everything is connected. To unravel these connections, you’ll have to stream it on Netflix.
In ‘Code 8 II’, the concept of K9, the specially-abled guard dog, continues to impress, adding to the intrigue. Pavani, another key character with a special ability as a transducer, captivates viewers every time she uses her power. A suspenseful sequence involving Tarak facing a guard dog adds to the thrilling vibe of the film.
The film also provides commentary on the theme of good versus evil. In a pivotal scene at a restaurant, Connor confronts Garrett, portraying him as a devil who disregards his own people. According to Connor, Garrett has created a false image of himself as a savior in front of the specially-abled humans or oppressors.
The commentary is clear: the divide is not between black and white or oppressors and suppressors but between good and bad people. This moment adds a spark to the screenwriting, highlighting the film’s deeper themes.
In terms of performances, Robert Patrick Amell (Connor), Stephen Amell (Garrett), and Sirena Gulamgaus (Pavani) deliver commendable performances. Sirena in particularly stands out in two key moments.
The first is when Pavani uses her power for the first time, and her performance in the climax is also noteworthy
The emotional connection between Mary and Connor was a highlight of the first movie. In this sequel, the build-up between Pavani and Connor was meant to be a key point, but the film falls short in developing their relationship.
Although Jeff Chan, the director and one of the writers, along with Jesse LaVercombe, Chris Pare, and Sherren Lee, was involved in the writing process, there aren’t enough scenes dedicated to building the bond between the characters. Providing space for key players to develop would have led to a more impactful climax, which the film fails to deliver.
While there are several high moments in ‘Code 8 II’, the filmmakers don’t fully capitalize on them. Despite being a Netflix release, the film lacks high-intensity action scenes.
The rushed screenplay makes ‘Code 8 II’ feel average despite having the potential to be more. While you can watch the film in one sitting, it remains superficial. Compared to the many great science fiction films over the past century and a half, ‘Code 8 II’ lacks the standout factor that would leave you amazed. Overall, it’s a mediocre effort.
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Verdict - 5/10
5/10