Code 8 (2016) User Reviews

A dystopian super power story

[parkershelbie · 8/10 · 14 April 2016]

This is a short-turned-trailer for the now greenlit independent feature length film of the same title. While low budget, the premise is sound and looks to be a great jumping off point for a new sci-fi universe. Starring Robbie Amell (The Tomorrow People and Flash) is a day laborer struggling to find money for his family's piling bills. It's revealed that some in this world (4% of the population according to the opening flyover) are gifted with mutated abilities that normal humans don't possess, and these people are oppressed and often have to resort to low wage jobs or even lives of crime. Toward the end, Robbie's character is definitely shown to be one of these "specials" as he uses a a bio-EMP to escape police custody after his friend played by Aaron Abrams (Hannibal, Stargate Atlantis) is killed.

The film, already having met and far surpassed the goal of 200k dollars on the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo is due out toward the end of 2017. Stephen Amell (Arrow, TMNT and Robbie's COUSIN) is an executive producer for the film, and while only his voice made it into the short/trailer, he will be playing a much bigger on-screen role for the feature.

Great potential. One to watch and cheer on.

[mk57 · 8/10 · 28 April 2016]

This 10 minute taster shows great potential of being a crowd puller. I'd suggest you ignore reviews where the reviewer is trying to portray HIS views as being the only one to go to and accept. THAT is more about the reviewer's desperation to being noticed than the film he's supposed to be reviewing. The premise of this film is simple...a dystopian world set in the now where " mutants " with special powers are suppressed, oppressed by a draconian Police force backed up by drones and robots keen to kill if any step out of line and therefore find it hard to make a living and get out of the poverty trap they find themselves in. The cinematography, choice of shots, dialogue, direction and acting all knit neatly together. The 'Special Effects' are very good and the storyline engages you so from the start you're rooting for the underdog. Not all of the Police are brutal though and it'll be interesting just how being a Cop with rules clashes with the need to reach out and understand the plight of those classed as different. I can see parallels being drawn to refugees who just want to fit in but face opposition from those with a nimby* ( not in my back yard ) attitude. It appears that the crowd funding site reacted well to the idea of this project as it received $750,000 when only $200,000 was the target. Now a full length film is coming together. Good luck to those involved and yah boo sucks to you to the self-promoting me me me reviewers...It's not all about you...so stop moaning and allow the audience to make their own choices. You're there to guide and inform...not give a bad review just because you CAN.....

Antihero Dystopia

[w-08323 · 7/10 · 24 April 2020]

If it is not a superhero, not a superpower, but a human elite, a human rich, they do not use their ingenuity and wealth for the benefit of mankind, but for personal gain (this is the reality).How to resist as an ordinary person? Or will they become a marginalized group? This is the best anti-hero dystopian film of the year.

Solid sci-fi

[bob the moo · 18 September 2016]

This short is apparently part of a fund raising effort to make a bigger project, although as 'proof of concept' films go, this one at least delivers within its time. Instead of playing like a trailer, this plays out like a contained episode in a bigger story, so while it does offer more, it is also a good standalone snapshot of this world. Taking the world of Heroes and making them an oppressed minority, we see the exploitation of powers rather than the dominance – which is already a nice twist on the norm. From here it plays out into a dramatic scene which ends open, but is still satisfying.

The use of effects is in support of the world, and is nicely integrated into the actual film – rather than being the film, as is often the case with this type of thing. The performances are good throughout; I confess I have no clue who Amell is, or the family name, but he is a good lead here. Also Kang (better known and Fast and Furious' Han) was a surprise find.

Overall a solidly enjoyable sci-fi which creates an engaging world and plays out a satisfying scenario. Still a 'proof of concept' perhaps, but a good one.

A pretty intelligent show

[casablancavic · 9/10 · 15 August 2016]

I invested in this and I am glad I did, This makes a very interesting concept and the cast is very good and so is the direction, editing and the basic story.

Looking forward to see this on a big screen in the bear future as either a full feature movie or as a hour long drama TV show.

Original in composition, it will easily take hold of you and keep you reeled in.

Hopefully the story remains interesting and does not lose itself after a few episodes and get lousy or too far stretched out to the point where it holds nothing of interest - as so many shows do after a while.

Code 8

[genya813 · 9/10 · 27 January 2020]

Been waiting on this one for years ever since Robbie tweeted him and Stephen was workong on a movie together...honestly i didnt feel dissapointed...it was everything you would want in a mutant movie...would LOVE to see it continued as a series *fingers crossed*

Great Short Film

[rickweber-02027 · 8/10 · 26 March 2020]

Honestly, thought this was better executed than the feature film.

Great film! Great Concept!

[youri_kaplan · 10/10 · 19 July 2018]

I personally love Robbie and Stephen Amell, so as soon as I saw their names I had to watch this film - and I am happy that I did! This film has stunning visual effects, accompanied by great acting and a spectacular story. I was hoping to see more of Stephen Amell... but I'm sure we will in the upcoming feature.

Without giving too much away... it takes the viewer into a world where super powers are a common thing among society, where people do not have to conceal their abilities, with a nice new twist on social hierarchy.

Police brutality and powers

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 5 April 2016]

"Code 8" is a 10-minute live action short film that was released on Youtube a couple days ago and quickly racked up hundreds of thousands of views. This does not make it a good film though. It takes place in a world where certain people possess superpowers and the police fight them with lots of violence. Pretty generic and uninteresting if you ask me. The mediocre acting wasn't helping either. This is a film that pretty much relies entirely on special effects, visually and audibly, to make up for the lack of a better story. However, at this runtime it is still bearable, but seeing how a full feature film based on this premise got greenlit kinda scares me. I do not expect too much here. I am not a big fan of Stephen Amell on "Arrow" and apparently his popularity is now used to make his little brother a star too. Family affairs like this really suck, especially as Robbie isn't a better actor either. Thumbs down for "Code 8". Don't be fooled by the high rating. I assume this mostly comes from "Arrow" fanboys who automatically love everything that has the name Amell attached to it regardless of the quality. Here it is low quality. Thumbs down.

Good concept.

[ououzaza · 8/10 · 25 February 2020]

The concept is great and the world-building is really good. Intelligent sci-fi short film.

Well made sci-fi action film. Felt as immersive as a feature film.

[Achyut_Prashast_Singh · 10/10 · 21 June 2020]

After browsing Google for "short action movies", I came across this short film. I was a bit surprised since I'd heard of the feature length version a few months ago. Then I found out the original (this one) is the original film and it's available on YouTube. I gave it a watch, and was highly impressed by the special effects, action and tension delivered in 10 minutes. Some fine performances are also what this film can boast. It's something you can go back to again and again, given how crisp, well made and immersive it is as any feature length blockbuster.

Seen It So Many Times

[Hitchcoc · 4/10 · 24 April 2019]

This is another tiresome portrayal of a superhero in a place where superheroes aren't trusted. The events are simply a lead-in to a movie. With all the similar stuff out there, once again a techno-society has created law enforcement methods using robotics. Boring.