It
is surprising this recent alien invasion has not already gained a fresh, new
reputation for relevancy. The world has suffered a catastrophic event and now
all of humanity is forbidden to leave their homes. Are you following me so far?
The alien robots have taken over, but they still find home collaborators
willing to enforce their dictates, in order to exercise a bit of power for
themselves. Fortunately, there are still rebellious people out there willing to
fight the invaders in Jon Wright’s Robot Overlords, which is currently
available on Amazon Prime.
Since
the alien take-over, Sean Flynn lives with his mother Kate and three foster
siblings she took in out of mercy. She is sort of protected, because Robin
Smythe, the district’s head collaborator is sweet on her, but he and Flynn make
no secret of their mutual dislike. The suspicious teen still holds out vain
home that his father Danny Flynn will eventually come home, but the RAF pilot
has not been seen since his capture.
One
day, Flynn and knuckleheaded Nathan try to run an old video-game console off a
car battery, when an electric shock sends the latter flying. It also shorts out
the controlling mechanism implanted in his neck—temporarily. Soon, Flynn,
Nathan, Alex the surrogate sister he is sort of carrying a torch for, and young,
bratty Conor are running through the empty streets undetected by the robot sentries.
However, it turns out the short circuit only lasts thirteen hours—a fact they
learn at an inopportune time.
It
is easy to see the robot occupation as an equivalent analog to the CCP
pandemic. Some might also compare the implants to face masks, but that really wouldn’t
be fair, because facial coverings allow us to safely go outside, whereas the
implants keep Flynn and friends captive inside. However, if you want to compare
the power-tripping Smythe to heavy-handed politicians like Michigan’s Whitmer,
that’s your right and your business.
As
a film, Overlords definitely over-achieves, realizing some impressive visual
effects on a relatively modest budget. As science fiction, it is just okay.
Frankly, it is a little too convenient when Flynn turns to be like Neo from the
Matrix trilogy, suddenly developing an almost mystical power to hack
himself into the robots’ network. However, it is enormously refreshing to see a
film that argues freedom is more important than security.
The
youthful quartet of Callan McAuliffe, Ella Hunt, James Tarpey, and Milo Parker
have strong rapport and energy together. (Despite Parker’s adolescent age,
Wright does not let the film skew too juvenile.) Sir Ben Kingsley is thoroughly
loathsome as Smythe, but also rather sad and pathetic. Likewise, Craig Garner
is pretty creepy as the robots’ “human interface.” Gillian Anderson is frustratingly
under-employed as Flynn’s mom, but Tamer Hassan adds plenty of cool steeliness
as Wayne, the kids’ underworld ally.
Overlords
looks
good, employing some very cinematic locales in Northern Ireland and the Isle of
Man. Wright (who previously helmed Grabbers) keeps it moving along at a
good clip, getting solid work from his game cast. Recommended now more than ever,
Robot Overlords is available on Amazon Prime and other VOD platforms.
