Código 8

Los X-Men en el otro lado de la ley. Un tema anodino, técnicamente bien resuelto, en una película de ciencia ficción de serie B sin inventiva de guion y sin actores decentes. ¿Para quién se rueda algo así? Los fans del género lo adoran a lo grande y con imaginación (Ilimitado). Incluso la música es una copia flagrante de Drive de Cliff Martínez o Terminator de Brad Fiedel. [Sitges FF] (05.10.2019)

Código 8 es una nueva variación de la historia de personas con habilidades sobrenaturales que deben luchar por su existencia y ocultar sus poderes del mundo exterior. En los últimos años se han visto muchas películas de este tipo, y a menos que alguien ofrezca una visión realmente original de este universo «X-Men», va a ser bastante repetitivo. Si pasamos por alto el elemento de ciencia ficción de las habilidades sobrenaturales en Código 8, nos quedamos con un drama criminal bastante ordinario sobre ladrones honestos y viciosos jefes de la mafia con una trama mediocre que hemos visto muchas veces en otras películas. Sin embargo, está filmado a un alto nivel y no hay muchos errores, pero este tema simplemente para mí ha perdido su atractivo. [Sitges 2019] (09.10.2019)

Jeff Chan made a short film in 2016 and since it was a success he decided to make it a feature film, and it's a very enjoyable sci-fi B movie. The film has an interesting world that happens to be similar to the recent Freaks (X-men from the other side), except here the police have robots, there are drones patrolling the air, people are being destroyed by the new drug Psyke, and people with superpowers can't work normally and if they do, it's illegal and they can be shot. The protagonist can control electricity and is one of the most capable of his kind, and he nods at a black job for a local gang, and since his powers make him useful, he starts working for them until things go classically wrong. The script could have been more interesting, I wouldn't have been angry if the film had an extra half hour and made better use of the well-chosen premise, but if a good idea, a likable main character, great technical aspects and very solid action are enough for you, you should be as satisfied as I am. 7/10. (13.12.2019)

Lately, it feels like there's been a flood of X-Men variations, and Code 8 is no exception. For a low-budget sci-fi, it boasts surprisingly impressive effects and solid visuals. However, its main flaw is a weak script that starts off promising but quickly runs out of steam, leaving us with yet another clichéd story punctuated by a few decent action scenes. It's a commendable effort, but it won't blow anyone away. In the end, Code 8 is just another forgettable sci-fi film that you'll soon forget. (18.11.2019)

Finally, after a long three years, the Amell brothers managed to bring this project to life. Even after watching the short film with the same name, I felt that this world definitely has something to offer if they could come up with a somewhat more sophisticated script for an interesting plot. The current full-length film certainly isn’t among the best in the superhero genre, but it still brings a few innovative ideas and great visuals, so I wouldn’t write it off entirely. I have to praise the visuals; for 2 million dollars, it looks more than decent. The story, while clunky at times, tries to throw in interesting twists now and then, so it’s acceptable to me. As for the performances, both brothers delivered top-notch work. It’s a shame the creators didn’t try to develop the story from the other side of the barricade, particularly the subplot with the police officer played by Sung Kang. I would also welcome a sequel if the first film makes a decent amount of money; the potential is definitely not exhausted. I give it 72%. (30.12.2019)