CODE 8

Canada, 2019, 98 minutes, Colour.

Robbie Amell, Stephen Amell, Kari Matchett, Sung Kang, Aaron Abrams, Greg Bryk.

Directed by Jeff Chan.

Code 8 is a Canadian production, futuristic, science fiction elements, and, heists.

The opening, with a dramatic collage, explains the situation of humans with extraordinary powers, being subjugated by the government, replaced by machines, condemned to menial jobs and poverty, surveillance by the police.

The central character is,, played by Robbie Amell, with electric powers, a criminal father, an ailing mother, determined to find money for her medical care, taking on menial jobs, harassed by the police, eventually taking on the job to assist in a robbery managed by Garrett, Robbie Amell’s cousin Stephen Amell, who works for a drug addicted boss who supplies a powerful drug, Psyke, extracted from those with powers and a black market.

There is an ordinary police, who are onto the boss, approaching, Connor, suspicious but letting him go. There are also the drones in the air, robotic police officers dropping to confront criminals, spectacular in its way.

Ultimately, there is a buildup to the robbery of a police van, expertly worked out, but a betrayal of members of the group. Then Connor lets the police know about the headquarters and there is a raid, some violent confrontations and deaths.

The drug lord’s girlfriend has powers of healing so Connor wants her to heal his mother. This is demanding for the young woman, the mother not willing it, and Connor lets his mother go. And he goes to prison.

Five years later there was a sequel, beginning five years later when Connor gets out of prison.

1. Futuristic world? Science fiction elements? Heist movie?
2. The city, Lincoln City, overviews, high-rise buildings, the streets, homes, hospitals, warehouses, clubs, police precincts? Atmosphere? The musical score?
3. The title, the explanations at the beginning, humans with powers, the building of machines, AI, robotics, the persecution of the humans with powers, draining them, the black market on Psyke, menial jobs for those with powers? The role of the police, surveillance, the drones and the military?
4. Connor, the background of his father in criminal activity, powers, his mother, illness, supermarket, being fired,, confronting the manager? His powers, electricity, available for day work, schools, the police surveillance and raids, shooting those with powers? Connor concerned about his mother, her deterioration, his wanting money to help her? Agreeing to go with Garrett, the robbery of the drug, the contact with Marcus, meeting Nia, her addiction, her healing powers? The money, being hired by Garrett again, the plan for the robbery,, and his strategies? The other members of the gang?
5. The set up for the robbery, road blockage, the truck, Connor and his powers, opening the truck, getting the money, the thugs turning on the members of the gang, shooting them? The escape? Not the expected amount of money? Their going to confront Marcus, the raid, Marcus henchman and the fight, the exercise of powers, his death?
6. The police, drug problems, surveillance, suspicions of Marcus, taking in, Connor, and willing to collaborate, let go, the cross purposes of the police? Information about Marcus headquarters, the raid, confrontations?
7. Nia, healing Marcus, but taking on the illnesses? Connor wanting her to his mother, to the hospital, his change of heart, letting his mother go?
8. Giving Nia the vehicle to escape, visiting his mother’s grave? Going to prison?
9. The story continuing in the 2024 Code 8, Part II.