iBoy (2017) User Reviews

Solid, but a missed opportunity to make something really great.

[me-589-145643 · 7/10 · 28 January 2017]

This movie has a lot of good qualities. A largely unknown cast come together nicely, and the cinematography, special effects and score are all very well done.

The story as a concept is pretty simple, and in the early stages of the movie things were looking very promising and I was enjoying it a lot. As the movie reaches its climax things began to run out of steam and a few unnecessary writing decisions opened up a number of plot holes which had me scratching my head at times. This movie didn't require the big ending it went for. Some more subtle twists and craft would have taken it to the next level and I can't help but thinking some big opportunities were missed.

Regardless, much of this movie is highly enjoyable and entertaining. I've certainly seen similar concepts executed far worse.

It sounds childish and unlikely but forget your prejudices and it turns out to be an enjoyable flick.

[peterp-450-298716 · 6/10 · 10 February 2017]

"This is your phone. Did it miss all the important bits? Well, it's a brain, so we tend to think of all of it as quite important."

Every now and then I watch a movie and afterwards I can't decide whether it's good or bad. "iBoy" is such a movie. I thought the initial idea was fascinating. The fact that Tom (Bill "Broken" Milner), got a bullet through his head, while fleeing from robbers, and his iPhone (which he was using while contacting 911) was shot into smithereens and fragments ended up in his brain, was in itself a original starting point. The result afterwards is that, thanks to the advanced technology of iPhone, he's able to make mental contact with communication networks and information technology stuff. Isn't that breeding ground for an entertaining movie? But the moment he demonstrates how he controls a Volkswagen Golf remotely and uses the built-in radio to speak too the passengers, it was a bridge too far. As he takes control over any electronic device, it started to feel a bit absurd.

If however you manage to forget about that and you won't concentrate on the nonsensical content (as a result the nonsense-level decreases slightly), you'll get an entertaining film about a sort of superhero (without the obligatory superhero outfit) who takes revenge on those who assaulted Lucy (Maisie Williams), the girl he has a soft spot for. Tom soon discovers that some local thugs are behind this. And thanks to his high-tech capabilities he starts making their life difficult. The images he sees because of his newly gained powers, have a sort of "The Matrix" appearance. And slowly we see how the fairly timid and introverted Tom changes into a confident and resolute avenger who's not one to be trifled with. The instruction video on YouTube that suddenly transforms Tom into a trained practitioner of the martial arts, is again such a ridiculous event you should forget about real soon. Just making sure it won't spoil the fun.

"IBoy" is a mixture of different genres. Besides the superhero theme, there's also a social tinged drama about less well-off citizens with youngsters choosing to follow the criminal path. The overall picture includes some intimidating loiterers who spend their free time with committing small crimes. Their habitat is also in stark contrast with the magnificent buildings opposite their drab apartment buildings which rise like minarets between the futuristic looking luxury apartments where the yuppies of London live. And finally there is a romantic part with Tom and Lucy growing close to each other because of the incident. These three sub-genres were intelligently intertwined.

Initially, I expected some sort of teen SF (something like "Project Almanac") after reading its contents. And certainly the choice of a childish superhero name, paved the way for that thought. So, with some skepticism I started watching this movie. But as the story progressed, my suspicion vanished and I could only conclude that the end result was ultimately successful. And not only because of the stunning images of this metropolis and its nightly illuminations. Also the performances captivated me. Bill Milner really looked like a nerd and was sometimes too timid, but he excels in this role. Rory Kinnear's contribution is rather limited, but in those few minutes he came across as a cold-blooded and determined criminal you shouldn't underestimate. But especially Maisie Williams steals the show as the vulnerable and traumatized Lucy. What a beautiful performance. I only hope, no one will come up with the idea to make a film adaptation of someone whose PS4 exploded besides him. Or God forbid, an e-cig detonated in someones pocket. I can already imagine how this movie would look like.

More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

Close enough

[yunusknudsen · 7/10 · 4 February 2017]

I remember reading this book when it first came out (around 2010). It was and still is one of my favourite books. Of course the book and movie have their differences but after all it wasn't that bad.

The pacing is a bit slow although it escalates quickly which kind of ruins the story itself.

The book and the movie have a bit of different story as of where in the book, "iBoy" doesn't get shot in the head instead an iPhone comes flying out of the window hitting his head.

The characters are a bit different than I imagined; but after all it's a movie.

If you have read the book I recommend this movie, it's a fine adaptation. If you haven't read the book just enjoy the movie :)

Great Entertainment!

[yossarian100 · 28 January 2017]

A great double feature movie would be "Attack the Block," and "iBoy."

Bill Milner, playing an offbeat nerdy looking hero, commands every scene he appears in, which is pretty amazing, since Maisie Williams steals every scene she's in with her own unique beauty and a to-die-for personality. Ya, I've been a fan of hers since day one on "Game of Thrones."

"iBoy" has plenty of action, but it doesn't skimp on taking the time to get inside the character's heads. The special effects look cool, without overpowering the camera work, and the sets are perfect for the story.

Rory Kinnear, who I shall always remember as the Creature in "Penny Dreadful," gives us a near perfect villain, although I really wish they had given him more screen time.

Take a leap of faith and accept that having parts of an iPhone embedded in your brain turns you into a talented cyborg, and you will have a grand time. In other words, don't pick the movie apart. Just enjoy it.

Boy, I Boy this one has some problems

[allen_shezar · 6/10 · 8 March 2017]

Let me say from the start, this movie gets a lot of things right but screws up equally as many...

First off, thankfully the movie never tries to explain his abilities in detail or justify it any further than the head wound, thus avoiding senseless pseudoscience talks. The acting is above average, the chemistry works, the cinematography is solid and while the plot of "cleaning up the hood" doesn't win a price for originality, they even pulled that one off pretty nicely with the rape revenge as the main motivation. The movie also does a pretty good job at showing the trauma caused to Maisie Williams character and doesn't just use her as a plot device. Overall much more than I was expecting from such a rather low budget production which was probably just pitched as "you need more content on your page ? let me write something up real quick and see where that goes"

That being said... They must have just given up writing the script after it was 2/3 done, cause the ending is horrible in every way.Its lazy, it doesn't follow the previously established rules, makes no sense what so ever and doesn't even look cool... After the "final boss" is "defeated" it gets even worse with an uninspired resolve and no follow-through what so ever.

If it had ended after about 60 minutes this could have gotten a much higher rating.

Good start lazy end.

[vasizebe · 6/10 · 25 April 2020]

I hate how the evil guy knows exactly out of nowhere how all this is possible and iBoy is doing his "hacking" thing. Destroyed everything for me.

iBoy: Surprisingly enjoyable stuff

[Platypuschow · 7/10 · 4 March 2019]

Let me be clear about something, I have a bias generally against British cinema as it usually focuses on things I don't find appealing and features a cast I cannot abide. Within British cinema you very commonly have the "Estate" movies and that's what this is, putting it at an even further disadvantage with me.

It tells the story of a young man who after being shot in the head and having his mobile phone splinter into his skull gains the ability to control digital devices. Arguably it's comparable with Watchdogs (2014) and that's a good thing.

Starring the adorable diminutive Maisie "Arya Stark" Williams and Miranda Richardson it has a passable cast considering the "Estate" aspect and we see our hero battling against the local gang and their powerful bosses.

In movies like this they have the habit of casting obnoxious pretty boy guy types to play the lead whereas here Bill Milner avoids that and comes across likeable and endearing for the most part. As a lead female Williams is good but I was left feeling they didn't do enough with her. Then we have Rory Kinnear as our antagonist who I'm unfamiliar with yet after this incredible performance will keep an eye out for in future movies.

iBoy by all rights could have been better, the concept felt a tad wasted, it perhaps could have done with an additional 30+ minutes and the finale was a total anti-climatic bust.

Regardless I enjoyed iBoy despite a host of reasons on paper why I really shouldn't have. Enjoyable stuff, especially if you go in without preconceptions.

The Good:

Maisie Williams and Rory Kinnear

A fitting lead

The Bad:

Doesn't utilize it's concept very well

Poor finale

iBoy had a weird but decent plot which could have done wonders but missed the opportunity and depended hugely on Maisie Williams screen presence.

[shobanchittuprolu · 6/10 · 13 February 2017]

iBoy (2017): iBoy has one of the most weirdest super powers plot.We have seen lot of superheroes origin and few of them are results of radiation accidents like Spiderman and Hulk but in iBoy he gets superpowers when he is on a call (Uses iPhone) and gets shot on head which gives him powers of telepathically hacking into any digital network.

Plot: Tom (Bill Milner), a shy, lonely teenage boy on an estate who interrupts some men who have sexually assaulted his friend Lucy (Williams) in a neighboring flat. They shoot at him and in the ensuing violent chaos, bits of his smartphone get stuck in his brain and he awakens from a coma with superpowers: he can telepathically hack into any digital network. Calling himself "iBoy" he sets out to avenge Lucy and take on the drug gangs.

What I felt:

iBoy with its weirdest plot did nothing weird to justify it.Even though they have a new idea,they followed the same revenge which happens in almost all of such films.He even does some weird ways of revenge some times lie hacking into Youtube.

Casting Maisie Williams,our own Arya Stark in this film is the major pro because if not for her,I would have skipped this film.Being a huge fan of her,I watched this film and I am glad that she didn't disappoint.Her screen presence is charming.Helped by the script's sharpest dialogue, the moments between her and Tom light up the movie. One particularly lovely scene finds them in her bedroom together, sending each other text messages without talking.

Effects are very good even with such limited budget.

Dark tone in picture looked like they seriously tried to imitate Daredevil (TV show).

So,iBoy had a weird but decent plot which could have done wonders but missed the opportunity and depended hugely on Maisie Williams screen presence.

My rating 6.25/10

Predictable, clichéd, needlessly grim

[Vartiainen · 3/10 · 31 October 2017]

A teenage boy (Bill Milner), living in the London outskirts, gets shot in the head as he stumbles upon his friend (Maisie Williams) getting raped. Pieces of his phone get blasted into his brain and this gives him the superpower of control over all things electronic. Because of course it does.

And the premise itself is fine. Super hacking as as a power is something you could definitely build a movie around. The way it's depicted here is perhaps the easiest way around the visualization issue, but for a low-budget film such as this one, I'm willing to give it a pass. I also like the two main actors, especially Williams, who gives a very credible performance as a strong person with inner fire brought low by the cruelty of life.

Unfortunately the story and its execution are garbage. The story is nothing more than a revenge fantasy. And that would be fine with the right tone. Many a grindhouse film has been nothing more than a revenge fantasy. But this film tries to be grim and realistic. Grim I could deal with. Realistic is a deal-breaker.

Plus, the central idea, that of super hacking, is not handled correctly. The way the main character gets the powers is cheesy enough that it circles around and lands on the right side of the line. The problem is the way these powers are showcased. Because it's not really super hacking. It's super martial arts, mind control, blaster powers, anything and everything under the sun basically. It's powers as the plot demands, and that is always a terrible idea. Always! Especially if handled this egregiously.

iBoy has a promising idea. It has some acting talent. But it also has terrible writing, uncomfortable morals, lackluster action, questionable plot twists and an overall poor structure. Not recommended.

Great movie, but there is something missing

[rechtschreibfehler · 7/10 · 11 January 2018]

IBoy is a British science-fiction movie by Adam Randall which was published as a Netflix-original in 2017 and lasts 91 minutes. Bill Milner and Maisie Williams are the main actors. The script is based on the novel "iBoy" by Kevin Brooks from the year 2010.

Tom Harvey (Bill Milner) was a typical teenager until he comes under fire. During that, fragments of his smartphone got stuck inside of his skull and the brain section. After waking up from coma he realizes that the fragments can not be removed of his skull. Because of his smartphone, he is getting superpowers such as being able to go online, listening to phone calls, etc. and all of that just with the power of his mind. He is also able to shoot electroshocks and to open fields of force, which makes a big impact on the film. He remembers the rape of his best friend, Lucy Walker (Maisie Williams), and starts to haunt the group of teenagers who did it, infiltrating a drug business and getting into fights with the whole crew and their boss. I do recommend the movie to mostly all teenagers but I think it would be a great view for the family either. The fact that in the film the fragments get stuck in his head throughout a shot makes it more real than in the book in which the phone is dropping off a building. The scene where Lucy is raped puts the watcher into Tom's situation which later makes a big impact on the ongoing history of the movie since he remembers the rape and does know who did it and who was involved in it. Rated online between 5-6/10 , I would rate the movie a 7.5/10 because in my opinion it was well implemented and well done but since it is a Netflix original it disappointed me a bit because I expected a lot more out of it - compared to other Netflix originals.

Pretty Bad

[TherzThz · 4/10 · 30 January 2017]

I gave this movie a watch despite it's poor title choice. It's not particularly engaging and doesn't have a very good hook. Although the acting and cinematography are good.

A boy gets his smartphone smashed and embedded in his head, and gets super powers from this. His powers are never really explained, but it looks like he gets a heads up display of electronic items. As well as being able to control electronics with his mind. Such as speaking over radios and taking money out of online bank accounts.

Most of the characters are high school students and small time criminals. It's supposed to be gritty and street, but it's hard to believe. How are these kids so well armed? Why do they have access to all these drugs? What is ANYBODIES motivation? These are only some of the unanswered questions.

I think one of the main shortcomings is that audience age demographic wasn't properly decided on. Most of the actors are high school age, as well as most of the drama and comic relief. But the plot line and suspense is something from a more adult crime movie. The result gives us some incongruous action and unbelievable characters.

It's like a cross between 'Attack the Block' and '71'. Taking the characters from Block, and the convoluted plot from 71. But lacking all the congruity and charm of each project.

It looks good though and is well made. Everything but the plot is well executed. The super power angle ends up taking a back seat to the same old re-hashed Brit crime tropes after the first half. The climactic ending seems familiar. The establishing shots of London are the same as always. The cockney crime boss is just as menacing as in every other movie....

*Sigh*

You could completely avoid this movie and you'd miss nothing. Or if you like faux gritty Brit street movies then you'll find the good in this.

A SERIOUSLY good flick..

[A_Different_Drummer · 8/10 · 27 January 2017]

The biggest mistake you can make going into iBoy is expecting something from the Marvel catalog.

Cause that is simply not going to happen.

Instead what you get is a solid Brit "estate gang" story (like Harry Brown 2009 or a dozen others you could probably recite from memory) with some Marvel/Spiderman superhero stuff cleverly thrown in.

And that is a mouthful because I have watched and reviewed a lot of films (check out my list, about 1300) and have never seen anything quite like this before.

Does it work? For the most part, YES. There are some pacing issues here and there, and it takes a while for the young lead to develop a character arc that the audience is comfortable with, but the suspense/payoff is rock-solid and nail-biting; and the close is edgy but respectful and optimistic.

The two best performances come from supporting actors -- another oddity.

Maisie Williams steals every scene not otherwise nailed down and does so with a sweetness of character that makes you wish you knew someone like her when you were in school.

And Rory Kinnear as the arch-villain almost but not quite moves into the rarefied air of a Bond film -- you keep waiting for him to say "WHAT DO I WANT IBOY, I WANT YOU TO DIE" -- but shows enough restraint to keep from falling over the edge.

In short, given the brilliant idea, the solid execution and its ability to keep the viewer both offguard and entertained at the same time, this a fun flick deserving of a higher IMDb score than I am seeing.

Recommended!

Don't make iBoy mad or else he will make your phone explode

[phanthinga · 7/10 · 26 August 2018]

Let's imagine all people involved in the making of iBoy inside a room and they are all using 100% of their brain power to come up a new ideal about a superhero movie that not only the teen audiences can relate to the main character but his source of power at well and then the sound of an iPhone ringtone disturbed the room and one person slam the table then say:"Guys, I think we just hit goldmine".The movie not really as bad as I though but the concept of some piece of a normal broken iPhone stuck in your head can make you control other people car or overload other phone is so laughable.If the movie take some time to explain why that even work I swear as crazy as it sound I will still take that but no they just hope people watching the movie roll with it.

IBoy is about a guy gets a serious tech advantage, but fails in the most pathetic ways of using it.

[crimsoninf · 3/10 · 30 January 2017]

This movie hypes up as it starts right off the bat with this kid getting shot and gaining a sort of super power. He apparently, sort of, blocks the shot with the bullet hitting the phone then his head as the phone was being held to his ear. So, shards get stuck in there and now he can control all electronic things. Super cool holographic user interface for him and everything.

However, he's a pathetic snowflake and fails to do anything meaningful or lasting with it. He tries to white knight for a female rape victim (BTW, he of course likes her and is too shy to talk to her about it, aka: tired trope).

So, mister White Knight tries to take on the rapists and get's them some meager jail time by hiding drugs at their houses.

Then, the big bad boss comes around bails out rapists and little lily boy, ahem, IBoy get's shook. He panics and wants to lose his power so everything will go back to normal. You guessed it, it doesn't work and Doc blows him off.

Big bad boss man puts his family and friends lives in danger and still this little twerp cowers and won't go scorched earth on the pricks.

It all ends with the snowflake apologizing to the rape victim for trying to help. Worse, she actually makes him feel better after everything.

In conclusion, this is only gets a few points for novelty. It loses big time because of the message that you should stay a victim and never fight back and if you do fight back, you're somehow also a terrible person. UNBELIEVABLY LAME.

Best, Aaron

PS: The terrible gang is still operating in the end in case you missed that.

A decent film

[slothmister · 6/10 · 7 December 2017]

Set in the East End of London, this film was about life on a troubled housing estate and how one incident changed the life of those involved completely.

At points it was too slow, at other points it was too fast. But overall the film had a decent pace and was an enjoyable watch.

Its not a film I want to watch again but its also not a film I regret watching. I give it a solid 6 out of 10.

I would love to see this made into a mini-series where they slow the pace and can fill some of the gaps in the story.

iBoy

[henry8-3 · 6/10 · 24 November 2020]

A young boy is shot while witnessing a major assault on his friend. With bits of his phone now embedded in his brain from the incident, he develops super powers and sets out for revenge.

If you can put the ridiculous premise to one side, this is a dark but enjoyable sci-fi story set against London gangland and at its best when he's confusing the enemy with his abilities. Maisie Williams demonstrates the star qualities which will grow in the years after this and Kinnear is always watchable, here as the big villain. It goes off the boil at the end a bit, but overall an enjoyable effort.

A good idea

[melyssalima · 6/10 · 20 July 2021]

They had such a good idea and they could have gone so much bigger.

Also, how the bad guy even came to the rumor that he can access technology??? It made no sense why they came to that conclusion.

its nice for real

[arakirokuro · 7/10 · 29 August 2021]

The greatest botch you'll make going into iBoy is expecting something from the Marvel catalog. Cause that's simply not aiming to happen. Instead what you get could be a strong Brit "estate gang" story (like Harry Brown 2009 or a dozen others you may likely present from memory) with a few Marvel/Spiderman superhero stuff cleverly tossed in. And that's a sizable chunk since I have observed and looked into a parcel of movies (check out my list, around 1300) and have never seen anything very like this before. Does it work? For the foremost portion, YES. There are a few pacing issues here and there, and it takes a whereas for the youthful lead to create a character circular segment that the gathering of people is comfortable with, but the suspense/payoff is rock-solid and nail-biting; and the near is tense but aware and idealistic.

iBollox

[omendata · 4/10 · 10 August 2017]

Started out well but went nowhere. Half decent special effects , acting not bad, story could have been a winner but the actual idea that having a piece of a broken smartphone in your head (we are never told if its an iphone and it didn't look like one) and turning you into a superpower hero is just laughable it actually sounds like something a schoolboy had written for his first year in English class fiction studies!

What is it with British films these days they used to be so wonderful. Almost all of them now are set in some gang infested London backwater replete with oodles of violence , foul language , overt sex and no story that's what seems to be the recipe for another walk down depressville lane and suicide alley.

I want to watch a film now and again and come out enervated and full of hope for the future or at least a smidgen of joy but these days after watching dross like this you come out feeling hopeless, depressed and suicidal.

Is this really life in Britain today; well yes it probably is but that is why the cinema should be a place to go to be taken out of yourself and not reminded of the grim reality of the truth of life!

Joyless , soulless, plot weak drivel.

Not Good Not Bad Either.

[xxmartynnxx · 6/10 · 24 March 2021]

The concept of the movie is really good. However you can't see that much character development. Also movie unfortunately has lots of hollywood "hacking" scene. As an IT guy and Cyber Security specialist it was horrible to watch this movie. They could get some experts and get some advice about hacking methods like we see in Mr. Robot TV Show. However, either they denied consulting or they didn't have that much budget.

They could have created a really amazing super hero movie like M. Night Shyamalan's Split movie. They've ruined it.

What a waste of talent and opportunity...

[langtengerfi-1 · 3/10 · 19 February 2017]

In short: terrible script, lack of useful message.

The movie tries to be realistic. Other than the superpowers of the protagonist, everything tries to resemble to reality - or at least how the writer of this movie perceived it. But then very quickly you realize that plot holes are everywhere:

There is a teenager who is raped by a gang at her own home. A bystander gets shot in the head. The whole f*cking country would be all over about this story. No way that the police wouldn't be all over it asking them if they recognized their attackers? They even know the attackers and their motivation! And they don't f*cking report it to the police?! Just let's go do some vigilante!

Later down the line, he realizes that he can't bring them down, so he plant's on those guys fake evidence - which is highly improbable if not impossible to carry out the way the movie implied it, as we didn't even see him planting the fake evidence. WHY NOT JUST TELL THE POLICE THAT I KNOW WHO SHOT ME IN THE HEAD?! As stupid as a cabbage can go!

So many missed opportunities. Disappointingly shallow characters. Even Maisie's powerful performance is doomed by the utterly terrible script. And everybody knows that this trash of a movie would have never been seen by anyone if it was not Maisie in this role.

The plot is FORCED to flow in the direction in such an unrealistic way. And always by chance. The drug dealer leaves his door wide open and ALL of them leave the flat that they should be protecting, when its obviously a BAIT going on. They haven't seen any Godfather I suppose.

And come on, that Darth Vader & Luke Skywalker conversation was the lamest of all. I'm your father!

The pure black & white characters make it even more shallow.

And the thrown in plot elements that have NOTHING to do with ANYTHING - like the grandmother who writes. That information has nothing to do with the story-line. A good movie gives you information that is either interesting, or has something to do with the story at some point.

The conclusion of the movie is that London is full of psychopathic criminals and that ain't gonna change. Not even a "superhero" can make a difference. This terribly depressing message held me hurting throughout the entire movie, feeling utterly powerless, I can only accept my faith that there is no hope of change here. Thanks garbage scriptwriter, that was refreshing! Just checked it, it was 4 of them who managed to stockpile this amount of trash. You really need 8 hands for this :D

Yeah, unfortunately a serious writer wouldn't start writing a plot around the ultra-lame base story of having a cell-phone-propelled- superbrain that is injected via a gunshot.

What a surprise.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 4 April 2020]

I had checked this out several times, but never really fancied it, what a total surprise this turned out to be, the story is of course far fetched, but it somehow doesn't go too far over the top.at any point.

It's pretty much a tale of revenge, we get to see plenty of nasty little thugs put where they should be, and there's also a very human side to it too.

Some really great shots of the big City, it looks fantastic throughout.

Very well acted, although it's Rory Kinnear that I most enjoyed watching, he's always a good guy, here he plays a thug, and he's terrific, Maisie Williams also impresses as does Bill Milner throughout.

It's a great watch, 8/10

Huge Missed Oportunity..but still OK

[cjstanford-65097 · 6/10 · 23 August 2022]

The film's description says a kid that gets superpowers and pursue righteousness. I love that theme., usually can't get enough of those. This was a good production, and very well acted. But the plot weakens and nearly dies. The original super powers while impossible in real life are acceptable for a film. It's really just mind interacting with electromagnetic waves. Sure. But when the writers get their protagonist in a tight spot they haven't thought through before inking the script, they resolve the problem of with magical new superpowers that have nothing to do with manipulating radio waves or interfacing with a computer. A better, thoughtful script could have turned this simple movie into a really good maybe great film. Hell it could have led to an Iboy series and made a fortune. But these investors blew it.

Mediocre at best.

[FallonTimberlake2016 · 4/10 · 10 February 2017]

iBoy is a Netflix original film that centers around a teenage boy who gets shards of a phone lodged in his brain, which causes him to be able control any electronic devices. It's an interesting plot, but it drags on. You'd think with a runtime as short as ninety minutes that the movie would fly by and be a tightly wound thriller. Well, that's definitely not the case here. At the end of the day, iBoy is relatively boring at times, and even if you can get past that it's simply okay.

First and foremost I'd like to say that this film does not suck. It's no Max Steel or Fant4stic, and the thing that elevates it above those things is the general plot and some good acting from supporting characters.

The plot is interesting, and despite the slow pace it keeps you watching. I was mildly interested in what was going to happen to our main characters. However, that brings me to one of my biggest gripes: the characters. There really isn't that much character development, and when there is, it is very blatantly thrown in at the last second. There are some very random conversations that occur to try to develop some of the ignored characters, and they feel forced and out of place.

The only thing that kept me from completely not caring was Maisie Williams' performance. I completely sympathized with her character from the get-go and it made me hope for the best for that story arc. However, the character I could not sympathize with, unfortunately, was the main character. The actor (his name slips my mind) who played him did not give a strong enough performance, and there was some TERRIBLE writing for his character.

My biggest complaint of iBoy is that the characters are extremely stupid. If this was a horror movie then the majority of them would be dead by the halfway point. The main kid has some extraordinary powers: he can do basically anything he wants. So why doesn't he? Without spoiling anything, I finished this film thinking that it could have been about twenty-five minutes long. He gets his powers, gets the bad guys, roll credits. But the writers decided to make our protagonist screw something up every time he tries to do anything so that the movie would last. It's quite infuriating.

Before I wrap up, I've got to give Rory Kinnear some props for pulling out a great performance in just two scenes of dialogue. I thought he was excellent in his episode of Black Mirror, and this makes me want more from him.

Overall, iBoy is an okay movie with some terrible writing and pacing, but good enough performances and general plot to get you through it.

Good idea. Bad execution.

[archico01 · 6/10 · 8 August 2020]

The movie started well, it was a nice idea for a movie. But the ending sucks