Geek Syndicate
are just going to get an extended episode of Heroes or MisFits for your money. When the film gets going, it does seem longer even though the film never drags noticeably at any point. The filming, as previously commented on, makes the storytelling very simple and easy-on-the-eye to follow. The three main characters are all very likeable and believable – we all knew someone like them at college. Except possibly Andy – his life just seemed improbably tragic to me. To have a terminally-ill mother, not helped by a lazy-ass father crawling in and out of a bottle and being totally alienated at school for being a misfit... as bad as things are today, I like to think that the human race still has some redemption left, rather than to continually kick this dog when he’s down. All in all, although I’m not a fan of this style of film-making, if you like your urban superheroes, I recommend you see this - unless you REALLY don’t like the HandyCam technique, in which case you’re not going to listen to me anyway.
the cinematography is a lot steadier, making for a much more pleasant and easier on the eye experience. The three friends reach the high-point of their powers when they realise that telekinesis can make them levitate, and this for me, was some of the most enjoyable viewing, as they are learning to flying through the clouds, narrowing missing aeroplanes and discovering that the higher up you go up, the colder it gets. They also get bolder: in a bid to make Andy more popular, he is entered into the college talent contest. His talent is a telekinetically enhanced ‘magic act’! The third act takes them into the final part of their story. Whilst out driving, Andy takes umbrage to the driver of the 4x4 behind him and nearly kills the driver by forcing him off the road. Steve and Matt chide Andy explaining that this is totally “against the rules”, something which Andy does not take kindly to, as by this point, it has transpired that he is the most power of the trio. Secondly, his mother’s health
deteriorates significantly; this is not helped by the fact that his unemployed father cannot afford the required medicines, and continues to blame Andy relentlessly for the whole situation. Finally, despite winning the talent contest, Andy’s status in school is only promoted minutely from ‘geek to freak’ – a confirmation of his belief that he “can never fit in”. This perfect storm of events sees the beginning of Andy’s spiral down into paranoia, resentment and then anger, leading to a final conflict with his two super-friends. I have to say I really like this film. It is short a running time of eighty-four minutes which does make you wonder if you
SilverFox
Rating:
GGGGG
43