Project Power is the latest offering from Netflix and features an impressive cast, but what really caught my attention was Mattson Tomlin’s debut as a screenwriter (he also co-wrote The Batman with Matt Reeves). It feels like the closest thing to a superhero movie we'll see for a while, yet it manages to be quite different from typical films in that genre. I went into it knowing very little beyond the basic plot description and cast list, so I was open to whatever Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman had created. The concept definitely sparked my interest, the cast seemed promising, but unfortunately, the movie didn't live up to about half of its potential. The positive aspects begin with Dominique Fishback, who has a role in The Hate U Give, but this is her first major part in a film of similar scale, and she’s arguably the best thing about it. She delivers a strong performance, especially considering she shares so much screen time with two experienced actors, though her rapping skills really stand out. Not only do the improvised lines suit her character, Robin, but the way she raps elevates every line. As expected, Jamie Foxx is excellent as Art, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines as Frank. Both seamlessly embody their characters, handling both dialogue and action sequences with ease. Robin and Art have arcs that are familiar, yet effective. They’re motivated by predictable family issues, but the actors do a great job of making it all feel genuine and emotionally resonant. Mattson Tomlin's writing for each character also contributes to this, providing captivating conversations and memorable lines. However, both the story and the other characters lack depth. Frank has no backstory or unique motives; he’s simply a cop trying to protect his city. The antagonists (Rodrigo Santoro, Amy Landecker) are the most predictable part of the film: just another group of greedy, self-centered drug dealers—version number 271837 for the screen. The movie's premise is intriguing, and its first half does a good job exploring that idea. Sadly, the focus eventually shifts to what seems like a more entertaining, action-driven plot. The word "supposedly" was used intentionally because the action sequences are rather disappointing, honestly. While there are a few visually striking moments, most are overloaded with CGI and suffer from choppy editing (Jeff McEvoy) that makes it hard to follow them clearly. Michael Simmonds' cinematography also uses excessively shaky camera movements. There’s even what appeared to be an attempt at a one-take action sequence, but the issues mentioned above prevent it from working. In addition, the powers displayed could have been more imaginative. Considering everyone has a different power, superstrength, superspeed, or the ability to create fire aren't exactly groundbreaking abilities. Given the number of superhero films released in recent years, Project Power could have offered something unique (though there’s one underrated power taken from an animal that is pretty cool), but it played it safe instead. Overall, the action and editing are so inconsistent that I can’t entirely fault them. The most disappointing aspect is how little development the main story receives. I think it would be a fantastic concept for a TV series, but Joost and Schulman could have done a better job with Tomlin's script, which might have benefited from a more experienced writer taking a deeper dive into the narrative. All things considered... Project Power has an impressive cast, including a compelling Jamie Foxx and a remarkable Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but Dominique Fishback is the one who truly shines. Demonstrating both her acting skills and her rapping talent, she stands out in what’s her most significant role yet. Her character and Foxx's are at the heart of the movie, which presents an interesting take on the superhero concept, but that unfortunately doesn't reach its full potential. The other characters are underdeveloped, especially the clichéd villains whose names I can barely recall. Some action sequences might give viewers what they’re looking for, but most are packed with a confusing amount of CGI, jarringly choppy editing, shaky camera movements, and a lack of creativity when it comes to the powers shown. If the film had prioritized telling a more detailed story instead of focusing on the disappointing action, it might have been a pleasant surprise. As it is, it's far from being a bad movie, so I recommend it to anyone looking for a generic but somewhat entertaining action-packed Netflix film. Rating: C+

Source on TMDB