Summary
A superpower spectacle, with strong visuals, suspense, and thrilling stunts, Code 8: Part II is a worthy sequel, and well worth the watch.
Code 8 started its life as a YouTube short, but became one of the most successful superhero films not based on an existing IP, especially after debuting on Netflix in 2020. Now expectations are high for its sequel Code 8: Part II. Robbie and Stephen Amell return to play Connor Reed and Garrett, respectively. Joining them is Alex Mallari Jr. (The Adam Project), Jean Yoon, and Sirena Gulamgaus.
Code 8: Part II picks up a few years on from where the original film left off, and shows us what happened to the main characters. Code 8‘s ending saw Connor Reed (Robbie Amell) go on the run after having been part of an incident that resulted in the death of cops. Code 8: Part II focuses on what Amell’s character gets up to after spending years in jail.
The storyline focuses on Connor who turns to the drug lord Garrett, whom he despises, for help to protect a young teen called Pav. Pav has a target on her back after seeing the police kill her brother. Connor and Pav then seek revenge, as well as trying to survive.
It’s a familiar storyline of a man saving a young girl and going through hell to do it. We might have seen this format 100 times but it works. Films like this get their charm from their inoffensive storyline, decent acting, and plenty of action.
The story wastes no time in pairing Connor with young Pav and gets straight into the action. I appreciate a film that doesn’t drag out the introduction to characters but shows them through the progression of dialogue and action.
Not only do the strong visuals shine but the acting is very impressive. There’s a great range of superpowers on display to capture the audience’s imagination, mixed with some intense, powerful, emotional moments for the characters and actors.
Normally I’m not a fan of slow-motion, but there are a few scenes where this film pulls it off.
The sci-fi robot police and dogs are quite intimidating, and it’s a fresh take on people with powers not being the powerful and dominant race, but oppressed. Maybe this is showing us how scared of AI and robots we should be.
Code 8: Part II has a strong and steady pace throughout, leading to a heartfelt, hopeful ending, which might have been a little predictable, but sometimes it is nice to feel justified in guessing a film’s direction and choices.
As sequels go Code 8: Part II is top tier. A huge improvement from the first. The storyline is compelling and well-developed; the conflict paved the way for dramatic character arcs, adding depth for both returning and new characters.
Code 8 and Code 8: Part II are must-watches for anyone looking for a thrilling action film.
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