"Code 8": A Heist Story Wrapped in Superpowers

From TV shows like "Heroes" and "The Flash" to blockbuster movies such as "X-Men" and "Chronicle," and even anime like "My Hero Academia," stories about individuals with superpowers have always captivated audiences. Perhaps the sense of wonder and whimsy comes with the fantastical abilities, or it's the exploration of power dynamics and moral dilemmas. Regardless, the allure of superpowers in storytelling is undeniable.

Plot and Characters

"Code 8" presents a world where superpowered individuals were revered as valuable workers on the cusp of the industrial age. However, as machines replaced human labour, concerns over the safety risks posed by these individuals led to discrimination, ostracization, and even the emergence of a new drug derived from the spinal fluid of superpowered individuals. The use of superpowers now requires official approval. The story of "Code 8" unfolds in modern times, following a powerful yet impoverished superpowered individual who turns to bank robbery and theft of confiscated goods to save his ailing mother.

After watching the film, I can only say that "Code 8" feels more like a heist movie with superpowers added as a gimmick, rather than a satisfying superhero film. If you were to replace the superpowers with modern weapons, the basic story of "Code 8" would remain largely unchanged. When seen as just a heist story, "Code 8" comes across as quite ordinary, with both the main story and subplots lacking depth and meaningful conflicts.

The interactions between the protagonist and his criminal team members in the main plot stay static, with little character growth. His clashes with the police seem more like defeating video game bosses, lacking genuine tension. The final confrontation with the drug trafficking syndicate also falls short, failing to raise the stakes to a higher level. In general, the main plot feels lacking in originality, relying on familiar scenes and plot twists.

Similarly, the subplot concerning the protagonist's father's initial criminal actions, his relationship with his father, and his mother's upbringing of him are left unanswered. Due to the lack of substantial content, "Code 8" clocks in at under 90 minutes, leaving audiences wanting.

Aside from narrative shortcomings, "Code 8" characters are mostly one-dimensional. While the film introduces a subplot involving the protagonist's mother to add emotional depth, the protagonist himself remains passive, lacking precise desires or motivations. Despite being able to sense the protagonist's anger, born from a lifetime of discrimination and ostracization, the film fails to explore this aspect fully.

The mid-level leader of the criminal team imparts various viewpoints to the protagonist on how to utilize his powers, primarily advocating for criminal behaviour driven by personal desires. While the protagonist engages in minor wrongdoing, such as reprimanding an unfriendly store owner, he refrains from further immoral acts for personal gain. The film seems intent on portraying the protagonist as inherently good, downplaying his criminal actions. However, it neglects to delve into his internal conflicts, despite his engagement in illicit activities.

The protagonist desires to live and work like an ordinary person. If "Code 8" had explored this angle, depicting the protagonist viewing his powers as a curse and amplifying his struggle between the curse and his nature, the story would have been more compelling. After all, the protagonist's power to release lightning, like other superpowers depicted, primarily centres around destruction. The juxtaposition of "destruction and anger" versus "normalcy and goodness" could have pushed the protagonist into a moral quandary, offering ample storytelling potential.

The supporting characters, on the other hand, are even more flat, merely serving as plot devices. While the criminal syndicate members are essentially pawns, the police officer's daughter being a superpowered individual could have been used to reflect societal contradictions but instead fall into stereotypical portrayals. The protagonist's mother also possesses untapped potential for exploration. Maintaining kindness in a world rife with discrimination is no easy feat. Why does the protagonist's mother possess these traits? How would she react upon learning of her son's criminal activities? Would she become more proactive?

In summary, the plot and characters of "Code 8" feel disjointed. While the narrative logic appears sound, it lacks intrinsic coherence. To some extent, "Code 8" mistakenly treats superpowers as its selling point, neglecting to polish the story.

Superpowers and World-building

In superpower stories, audiences are most intrigued by "what impact these powers will have." Watching the protagonist evolve into a hero under the influence of superpowers constitutes the tried-and-true formula of superhero storytelling. Conversely, antiheroic superpower films offer a more diverse array of development directions.

One development direction focuses on the personal impact of superpowers on the protagonist's life, as seen in "Chronicle" and "About Time." To some extent, "Code 8" shares similarities with "Chronicle," both narratives centred around superpowered individuals from the lower rungs of society and conveying a sense of pessimism—"life won't fundamentally change even with superpowers."

On the other hand, "Chronicle" handles this concept much better. The story focuses tightly on the protagonist's life and how his superpowers affect his relationships with friends and family, leading to escalating consequences. In contrast, "Code 8" barely scratches the surface of the protagonist's life. Apart from some basic information, we are left wondering about the daily impact of superpowers on his life and his relationships with loved ones. With such a vague portrayal of the protagonist's life, it's difficult for the film to effectively show the true impact of superpowers.

Another direction for antiheroic superpower stories revolves around broader themes and societal impact. The "X-Men" series embeds themes of racism, adding dramatic tension to the narrative. At the same time, "The Boys" metaphorically exposes the dark underbelly of societal systems, constructing a bleak worldview. Both series possess unique worldviews, evolving through the choices of various characters.

"Code 8" sets up its world with fragmented news snippets at the beginning but struggles to weave these ideas effectively into the rest of the story. It briefly mentions police forces and new drugs without fully integrating these concepts. Despite this, "Code 8" does have a rich world background, even though it's not fully developed. In the world of "Code 8," individuals with superpowers were initially valued members of society, contributing greatly during the industrial age. However, as machines took over manual labor, these superpowered individuals became outcasts. This period of transition presents a fascinating storytelling opportunity that the film doesn't fully explore.

Imagine individuals who were once societal pillars suddenly becoming societal outcasts. How would superpowered individuals react to such drastic change? Would they protest and fight for their rights? Would their lives and those of their loved ones change? As the media vilifies superpowered individuals, would anyone speak up for them? And what of the parents who once denied the existence of superpowers? Would they change their tune if their offspring were superpowered?

Superpowered stories set in past times are rare but offer great potential, especially when mixed with historical contexts. Even without exploring history, the creation and effects of modern designer drugs raise interesting questions. Could people kidnap superpowered individuals to make drugs? Imagine a situation where the superpowered daughter of a police officer goes missing. Fueled by prejudice, others stand by as the desperate father tries everything to find her, uncovering darker truths. This story is reminiscent of "Taken," but with a unique worldview that makes it equally captivating.

However, "Code 8" wavers between these narrative paths, failing to commit fully. On one hand, it aspires to delve into the personal ramifications of superpowers but needs deeper exploration. On the other hand, while aiming to present a unique worldview of superpowered individuals, it relegates the backdrop to mere decoration. In essence, "Code 8" still harbours significant storytelling potential. Yet, it requires a more excellent infusion of imagination to realize it fully.