Monday, October 19, 2020

Turbo Kid (2015) - Shudder Spree

 

Streaming Services: Shudder, Prime Video, Tubi, Crackle
Movie Name/Year: Turbo Kid (2015)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Length:  95 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Production/Distribution: EMA Films, Epic Pictures Group, Timpson Films, Epic Pictures Group, Atlantic Film, Filmoption International, Nippon Shuppan Hanbai, A Contracorriente Films, Amplify, Eagle Films, Epic Pictures Releasing, Film1, Filmfreak Distributie, Ledick Filmhandel, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Raven Banner Entertainment, Remain In Light, Transmission Films
Director: François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell
Writer: François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell
Actors: Munro Chambers, Laurence Leboeuf, Michael Ironside, Edwin Wright, Aaron Jeffery, Romano Orzari, Orphée Ladouceur-Nguyen, Steeve Léonard, Yves Corbeil, Evan Manoukian, Anouk Whissell, François Simard, Tyler Hall, Pierre-André Sigouin
 
Blurb from IMDb: In a post-apocalyptic wasteland in 1997, a comic book fan adopts the persona of his favourite hero to save his enthusiastic friend and fight a tyrannical overlord.


Cat’s Point of View
:

This latest movie in our month-long Shudder Spree isn’t exactly a traditional horror movie, as most of the films we’re watching this month are. There isn’t anything supernatural about it, in fact. It’s got a grindhouse level of blood-fountain gore – but only because of the ultra-violent post-apocalyptic setting.
 
When I say blood-fountain, I’m telling you that they gave a new definition to ‘making it rain.’
 
That being said, Turbo Kid is definitely packed with some crazy nostalgic fun. One of the quotes seen on some posters and the DVD covers likens this movie to “Mad Max on a BMX.” I think that sums things up rather well – if a bit understated.

 
It feels like the world, today, is going insane already. All these post-apocalyptic movies get more believable by the day. I’m not sure that I 100% buy into this particular vision… but I really don’t think we’re supposed to. Take into consideration the fact that a movie released in 2015 is calling 1997 “the future.” (Though, I do believe that bicycles are a more feasible mode of transportation in an apocalyptic situation, considering the finite supply of gasoline. I digress…)

This film was heavily weighted to 80’s retro. I have a great love for that decade, and so my inner-kid was having a happy-dance with each new ‘artifact’ that made its appearance on the screen. This love-letter to the 80’s post-apocalyptic sub-genre is even reflected in Turbo Kid’s synth score. It was well-done and was a good fit for the action on-screen. I could ramble on about all of the references, but I think you get the point.

The cherry on top for me, and frankly one of the deciding factors to watch this movie in the first place, was Michael Ironside’s (Extraterrestrial, Patient 7, The Harrowing) involvement with the production. I can’t think of a single movie I’ve seen him in that I haven’t enjoyed. He does tend to get involved with some off-the-wall projects and crazy B-movies; but he’s also held key roles in hits such as Starship Troopers (1997), Top Gun (1986), and Total Recall (1990). He was a perfect choice for the ‘big bad’ of this movie.

Turbo Kid definitely has some camp and cheese involved with it, but it is also very aware of such, and I was loving it. It hits just the right tone so that it’s not an eye-rolling situation and I definitely wasn’t bored as this film pedaled its way into my heart.

I realize this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. If, however, you’re not a fan of the ultra-spooky or other nightmare-fuel driven horror movies; or even if you just need a break for a few laughs in between heavier films Turbo Kid might just be for you. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 91%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 77%
Metascore – 60/100
Metacritic User Score – 8.0/10
IMDB Score – 6.7/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3.5/5
 
Trust the Dice: Parental Advisory Rating – R
 
Movie Trailer:

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