By Remy Bailard
Arts Editor
The film “Thunder Force” includes all of the parts needed to make a true comedy but fails to do so with a lack of fluidity and a humorless script.
Although slightly comedic at times, the film misses the mark in being able to call itself a comedy with its stagnant plot and forced humor. The acting comes off as scripted and unnatural, which causes the film to lack the ability to form a strong connection with the audience.
Released to Netflix on April 9, “Thunder Force” is directed by Ben Falcone and stars Melissa McCarthy as Lydia and Octavia Spencer as Emily.
“Thunder Force” follows two estranged high school best friends as they come back together in their adult years to a new world full of superpowers. After Lydia accidentally injects herself with the power of strength that scientist Emily had molecularly constructed, the two become a new superhero duo and venture through the city trying to fight off the evil Miscreants.
The film offers neverending lines of intended humor that fail to come off as being genuinely funny. This caused “Thunder Force” to feel exceptionally dull and forced at times and did not have a lasting impact on viewers. For McCarthy’s typical humorous acting, this film was a let-down and did not show off her true skill that she has demonstrated in her past work.
“Thunder Force” fails to execute a conventional plotline with a series of poorly pieced-together scenes. The film abruptly switched scenes quite frequently, giving the film no real fluidity and losing the attention of viewers at many times.
The movie tries to incorporate so many incohesive elements that it causes the movie to become a blur and a failure on many degrees. There were many let down expectations in the film due to the popularity and familiarity of McCarthy and Spencer.
The film started off strong with its start in the childhood years of Lydia, played by Mia Kaplan, and Emily, played by Tai Leshaun, that performed better than their older counterparts. The two set the stage for a clever coming-of-age film, but this was let down as a result of the poor writing and acting in the rest of the movie.
Both McCarthy and Spencer stay true to their typical personas of characters that they have played in a variety of previous movies and TV shows, but their character types are not entirely fitting for the plotline of “Thunder Force.” McCarthy’s senseless humor mixed with Spencer’s witty intelligence was meant to make a powerful and well-blended duo, but the characters of Lydia and Emily come off as disconnected and in part make the dialogue seem meaningless and bland.
The way that the powers are portrayed in the film gives it a modernistic look and advances the realm of Netflix Original technology. Although special effects like these have been done before, “Thunder Force” captures a more realistic take and offers a much more immersive and eventful viewing experience for the audience.
In the end, the film had all of the elements to become a comedic success, but it was nothing more than a lackluster, monotonous production. “Thunder Force” lacked in terms of both a compelling script and plotline and, therefore, was a drag and bore for the audience throughout.
Released on April 9, “Thunder Force” is rated PG-13 and is available for streaming on Netflix.
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