It’s “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” meets “Mad Max” with what is one of the most entertaining and fantastic indie films of the year. The trio of François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell channels the magic of nostalgia to create a world that’s both perilous but compelling. “Turbo Kid” is painted as a love letter to all things eighties and nineties, but thankfully never loses itself in the winks and nods. It implements pop culture to create a well rounded world and they succeed beautifully. Through and through it’s a soulful and very exciting coming of age tale set in the post apocalypse.
“Turbo Kid” is set in the futuristic wasteland of 1997 where the world has been destroyed by a robot war. Its remnants are comprised of scavengers and survivors, all of whom barter with mementos of the past, for supplies including water, which has become a dwindling resource. Munro Chambers is excellent as The Kid, a lone teenager who roams the wasteland finding trinkets and toys to keep in a gallery in his home where he lives all alone. Armed with his wits and BMX bike, he dreams of becoming his favorite superhero Turbo Rider. One day he’s approached by a very enthusiastic and somewhat intrusive young girl named Apple, who interrupts the Kid’s life, intent on making friends with him. The Kid finds her enthusiasm charming, but their blooming bond is sent spiraling downward when she’s kidnapped by the evil warlord Zeus and his BMX biker gang.
He controls the land’s water and makes people combat one another in his arena, hoping to use their blood for his wicked water machine. Accidentally stumbling upon soldier’s armor and a power glove wrist blaster, The Kid musters up the courage to save Apple, and ends up on a journey of self exploration when fate sends him face to face with pure evil. “Turbo Kid” is one of the best movies of 2015, it’s a post apocalyptic thriller that also thrives on its conjuring up complex and very likable characters, all of whom learn something about themselves and one another as they collide to do battle with evil nomads and the like. Every aspect of “Turbo Kid” feels like a work of passion, from the fantastic photography, and wonderful original score, right down to the top notch performances.
Every single cast member make memorable turns including Chambers (I’m admittedly a big fan of his “Degrassi” days) as our reluctant hero and Michael Ironside who looks like he’s having a blast as the evil Zeus. Aaron Jeffrey is also very good as the anti-hero Frederic who gains an affinity for the Kid when they find common ground. The stand out performance though is by Laurence Lebeouf who is just mesmerizing as the female heroine Apple. She serves as the lone ray of sunshine in an otherwise harsh world who slowly wins over The Kid, as she follows him through his heroic journey, and manages to build wonderful chemistry with star Chambers. Lebeouf is otherworldly, but also very charming, possessing enough enthusiasm and spunk to win over the audience with ease. If that’s not enough, the team behind the film builds an array of really colorful and unique characters, all of whom are dangerous and deadly in their own way.
I especially like Skeletron, the buzz saw wielding henchman for Zeus. The RKSS Collective garner a really interesting love for all artifacts from the eighties and nineties, compiling elements from pop culture to form their own world, all the while dousing the action in over the top splatter that keeps the film a cult affair for the more adult crowds. They’re never afraid to conjure up Peter Jackson style grue with some memorable prosthetic work and gore. Watching “Turbo Kid” it’s pretty clear where the RKSS grabbed their influences, and that makes the movie all the more special. “Turbo Kid” is a remarkable film, one destined to become a cult classic; I was in love with it from minute one and I suspect it will build an equally passionate fan base very soon.
In theaters and on VOD August 28th! Find out where Turbo Kid is playing and much more!