"Turbo Kid" is a post-apocolypic comedy that I've seen described as "Mad Max meets BMX." I don't know if I'd agree that, however. "Turbo Kid" feels a lot more like its own thing. "Mad Max" is set in the Wasteland, and the latest MM film had a multi-million dollar budget. "Turbo Kid," in contrast, was Canadian funded (ouch) and is set in Canada (in November, it looks like) and everyone rides bicycles.
Yeah.
I like this movie: in fact, I watched a lot of it with a smile on my face. It's almost a perfect movie, except for one thing: Apple and "The Kid" have too many "moments" together. You know, "moments?" Too many times when they lock eyes, stare for a moment, and then both smile slowly-- gah. Also, a lot of their dialogue is a bit too awkward for my tastes, but tastes are as arbitrary as... film reviews (teehee.)
However, "moments" aside, a lot of this movie is just great. Apart from its fight scenes, which are both glorious and hilarious, a lot of "Turbo Kid's" charm stems from its celebration of the 80's and 90's. Everything from its kicking soundtrack, Commander Keen (and flannel!) costumes, and even its title is a retro sendup. Seriously: there's a campfire scene where they're using VHS tapes instead of logs. Brill!
Michael Ironside is also great. I only knew him as Sam Fisher, a henchman from "Total Recall," and the dude rockin' the awesome mullet in "Highlander 2," but after "Turbo Kid" I've learned that Ironside is a treasure-- and he's funny in this. Laurence Leboeuf deserves a shoutout too, even though she's essentially playing the "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" stereotype. However, she deserves credit because she takes what could be extremely awkward material ("moments") and just runs with it. And the I like that she doesn't cover up her Quebecois accent.
Actually, you know what? *Everyone* is great in this-- Skeletron, your wild eyes rocks my socks, and Frederic, you're hilarious because your super-intense character lampoons Mel Gibson. A lot heart went into "Turbo Kid." That's what makes it a loving parody.
Maybe in 30 years we'll see 2010 kids make a movie lampooning reality TV, social media, and dumb phrases like "FTW" and "be awesome." Or maybe by then we'll have moved on from "meta" culture--I don't know. But "Turbo Kid" is a both brilliant parody and a loving tribute to 80's and 90's pop culture, and it has a lot of heart.
Definitely worth watching.
