Max Steel- Film Review
In part, the movie is action figure based, with the plot formed around the adventures of a teenager named Max McGrath (Ben Winchell) and his alien companion, Steel. The two must harness and combine their new powers to evolve into the turbo-charged superhero Max Steel.
While Steel seems to be just the friend that Max has been looking for, Max has what Steel wants and this gives the two a strong bond of friendship.
These two friends find themselves hunted by sinister forces who want to control Max’s powers, as well as an unstoppable enemy from another galaxy. United as the superhero Max Steel, the two must combat an alien threat and unlock the secrets of their past.
They share some sort of strange connection. Somehow, the alien’s presence allows Max to run faster, jump higher and do flip kicks. The alien even covers Max in a great living suit of armor when the need arises, which comes in very handy in most of their battles.
However, the mergings that form this Iron-Man look-alike are highly and disappointingly infrequent throughout the movie, while the other special effects are not impressive either. It is clear no one was willing to play much on that perspective.
Voiced by Josh Brenner, Steel coaches Max, helping the puzzled teen learn how to control his superhuman abilities, and together they discover how Max gained those abilities in the first place. The directing somehow is great, but the story line is very predictable, similar to many superhero movies.
This film is easily forgettable, with the protagonist being less charismatic in his uninspiring role. The movie does not really lead to any surprising end. Ultimately this is the kind of film you might stream for bored teenagers.
Violence includes chases with armed security personnel and a climactic battle in which several people are killed.
While being initially promising, the movie devolves into a short sleep with predictable enemies and a plot that has got so many holes it seems desperate for a second installment.
Steel is not half as funny as he should be, but next to the lonely teenager, Max, at least he tries and eventually very dry, unfunny, humour comes to play.
Max’s father is dead and as seen in many superhero movies, the message in this film is about the duty of ‘the chosen’ extraordinary individual to accept his new responsibility to fight evil. If you have seen the movie ‘Number Four’, you will know what I mean.
There is a love interest in the form of Sophia (Ana Villafañe), the ‘cool girl’ who knows how to fix a car and a bike, however, it is not advisable to have your hopes up for romance as there is little chemistry between Sophia and Max.
The romance is limited to flirting, lingering looks and a slight kiss between the two teenagers.
Younger viewers, go and see Max Steel for an hour and a half’s mindless entertainment, and then forget about it. Mature viewers, do not bother!
