Once Upon a Superhero

In a world over saturated with super-powered content, it takes a work of tremendous heart to truly stand apart from such a crowd. Enter Solar Flare, star of John M. Kline's ONCE UPON A SUPERHERO to get this specialty job done. OUAS is a thought provoking indie feature that utilizes multiple mediums of visual storytelling to get its solemn and rather shocking narrative across to an audience. The story of a man trapped among an unfamiliar landscape, doing his best to do not only what he believes is right, but doing so against the grain of social norm. It's a tale all too close to many of us in one way or another. Sure, he's a superhero trying to prove his origins & existence within a crowd of Hollywood's professional impersonators, but this only aids in the plight crashing down upon him. In the end, this is a story reflecting the notions of vice, perseverance, mental health and at times, even parallels to the modern immigrant oppression crisis. This is a movie both ahead of its time and right where it needs to be all in one beautifully shot package. With a great soundtrack, wonderfully rendered illustrated segments and a absolutely outstanding performance by lead Adam Marcinowski, Once Upon a Superhero is a movie you cannot forget post-viewing and one that needs to be seen by many audiences over.

From the moment I heard Solar Flare's deep voice to the unexpected ending I was perched at the edge of my seat for nearly 2 hours! While watching you think, who is Solar Flare supposed to be? Is he from the Sun with supreme powers or just another trying to make it in Hollywood? Delusional or Superbeing? Either way it is a great movie. Yes, even the second time around! I love the suspense the music takes us throughout the movie. Riveting! It brings out all the extremes whether it is a Mayan Indian - TeeTo, encouraging a virgin Solar Flare to drink/smoke or a strung out Captain Boulevard cheering him on to more and more 'blow, a sex scene with an overweight woman or Frankie, an innocent happy young girl trying to become a name in Hollywood. Loved Lil Boulevard! So much more....MC Deez, Comp Doc... just goes on and on. There are a few times when I had to close my eyes wishing the scene was over a bit quicker but that is more on a personal level. The cinematography in this film is outstanding. Can't wait for Once Upon a Superhero Two.

Once Upon a Superhero is the darkest ,grittiest movie I have seen in a long time and yet surprising tender. Take what is great about any superhero and twist it around the backstreets and alleys of Hollywood then add a dog - and you have OUSH. The acting was spot on, the cinematography was breathtakingly beautiful. It's not for kids or the faint of heart but it's a movie you'll be talking about long after you leave the theater. Could be Oscar worthy...

Great movie, but not in wide release yet (as of June 2019). It was made on a shoestring budget by a minimal crew and still had a tight story, good dialogue, and solid acting. It beat a lot of B-movies that go direct to video by a mile. Our hero wakes up on the streets of Hollywood (specifically streets a couple of blocks from the home of the writer/director 😉) and discovers his powers are gone. He soon determines they will be returned to him in about 6 months, on December 21st 2012, which is also the day the Mayans had predicted to be the end of the world. He feels that the return of his powers will allow him to save the Earth from a massive solar flare that would otherwise end life on that day. Is he really a superhero or is it all a delusion? We find out at the end of the movie. Great film!

I'm more than familiar with the shortcomings of low budget cinema. I went in with those expectations. But, damn! I thought it was high grade and high octane! Sophisticated and stylish employment of cinematic language. Great acting and atmosphere. Creative and ambitious cinematography. Really nice use of out of focus street light spheres as graphic elements. The application of splitting frames as reference to comic book panels was nicely handled, and often visually compelling by sliding and expanding boxes. The scene of Solar prostrate on the sidewalk gradually being divided up in a series of small rectangles was inspired. Great representation of passing time and expressive of jumbled dream thoughts. The editing was excellent, with plenty of beats and rhythms that kept everything flowing nicely. Certain allusions to Man Who Fell to Earth dissolution came to mind.

The soundtrack and atonal effects were evocative and accentuated the film with nuances that pushed the weirdness vibe.

The costume is really great. I love how the molded 6-pack abs of the clean new outfit become a smooth and paunched pouch of the soiled supersuit. The crotch-cup coin purse is hilarious.

The cavalcade of characters were rich and amusing. Adam Marcinowski really handled it, coming across as totally in it. Nice doubling of Yvette Monreal as the celestial princess and the street performer cowgirl. Loved super dog's leg trick.

The animated bits were right on and added to the off kilter aura. The graphic style contrasts nicely and stands out for extra oddness.

I very much enjoyed the film..