Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Skateboard Videos & Photos on everskateSkateboard Videos & Photos on everskate
    • Shop
      • Shop All Products
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Jewelry Sizing Guide
      • About Recycled Skateboards
    • Tricks
      1. Kickflip Tricks
      2. Heelflip Tricks
      3. Grab Tricks
      4. Grinds
      5. Slides
      6. Shove It Tricks
      7. Spin Tricks
      8. Stalls / Manuals / Wallride
      9. Ollie Tricks
      10. View All

      360 Flip

      November 5, 2021

      Kickflip

      November 5, 2021

      Double Kickflip

      November 5, 2017

      Backside Flip

      November 5, 2017

      Other Flip Tricks

      November 5, 2017

      Laser Flip

      November 5, 2017

      Inward Heelflip

      November 5, 2017

      Backside Heelflip

      November 5, 2017

      Other Grabs

      November 6, 2017

      Melon / Backside Air

      November 6, 2017

      Boneless

      November 6, 2017

      Stalefish

      November 6, 2017

      Other Grinds

      November 6, 2017

      Pole Jam

      November 6, 2017

      Feeble Grind

      November 6, 2017

      Crooked Grind

      November 6, 2017

      Boardslide

      November 6, 2021

      Other Slides

      November 6, 2017

      Bluntslide / Nosebluntslide

      November 6, 2017

      Lipslide

      November 6, 2017

      Big Flip

      November 20, 2017

      Big Spin

      November 19, 2017

      360 Shove It

      November 6, 2017

      Shove-It

      November 6, 2017

      540

      November 6, 2017

      360

      November 6, 2017

      180

      November 6, 2017

      Rock to Fakie

      November 6, 2021

      Wallride

      November 6, 2017

      Manuals

      November 6, 2017

      Handplant

      November 6, 2017

      Other Ollies

      November 6, 2017

      No Comply

      November 6, 2017

      Fakie / Nollie

      November 6, 2017

      Ollie / Switch

      November 6, 2017

      Rock to Fakie

      November 6, 2021

      Boardslide

      November 6, 2021

      360 Flip

      November 5, 2021

      Kickflip

      November 5, 2021
    • Parks
      • North America Skateparks
      • South American Skateparks
      • European Skateparks
      • Asia and Australia Skateparks
    • Spots
      1. Gaps
      2. Pipes & Pools
      3. Rails
      4. Skate Ramps, Boxes, and More
      5. Stair Sets
      6. View All

      Roof Gap

      November 11, 2017

      Planter/Grass Gap

      November 11, 2017

      Empty Pools

      November 11, 2017

      Half Pipe

      November 11, 2017

      Mini Ramps

      November 11, 2017

      Quarter Pipes

      November 11, 2017

      Kink Rails

      November 10, 2017

      Flat Rails

      November 10, 2017

      Handrails

      November 10, 2017

      Grind Boxes

      November 11, 2017

      Manual Pad

      November 11, 2017

      Launch Ramp

      November 11, 2017

      Kicker Ramps

      November 11, 2017

      Double/Triple Set

      November 10, 2017

      12+ Stairs

      November 10, 2017

      9-10-11 Stairs

      November 10, 2017

      6-7-8 Stairs

      November 10, 2017

      Grind Boxes

      November 11, 2017

      Manual Pad

      November 11, 2017

      Launch Ramp

      November 11, 2017

      Kicker Ramps

      November 11, 2017
    • Blog

      Skateboard Ramps – Quick Guide to Skate Ramp Varieties

      May 10, 2020

      Skateboard Games – A History of Skateboarding Video Games

      February 16, 2020

      Which skateboard bearings should you buy? (Hint: ABEC isn’t everything)

      January 19, 2020

      Skateboarding is an Art – Your Skateboarding is your Brush

      December 1, 2019

      Skate Shops – Which kind of skate shop should you buy your skateboards from?

      January 13, 2019
    • Trick Tips
      1. Ollies 101 – How To Do An Ollie
      2. How To Kickflip – Kickflip Trick Tip
      3. Heelflips – How to Heelflip
      4. How to Big Spin
      5. Better Balance on a Skateboard
      6. View All

      Rock to Fakie

      November 6, 2021

      Boardslide

      November 6, 2021

      360 Flip

      November 5, 2021

      Kickflip

      November 5, 2021

      Rock to Fakie

      November 6, 2021

      Boardslide

      November 6, 2021

      360 Flip

      November 5, 2021

      Kickflip

      November 5, 2021

      Rock to Fakie

      November 6, 2021

      Boardslide

      November 6, 2021

      360 Flip

      November 5, 2021

      Kickflip

      November 5, 2021

      Rock to Fakie

      November 6, 2021

      Boardslide

      November 6, 2021

      360 Flip

      November 5, 2021

      Kickflip

      November 5, 2021

      Rock to Fakie

      November 6, 2021

      Boardslide

      November 6, 2021

      360 Flip

      November 5, 2021

      Kickflip

      November 5, 2021

      How to Big Spin

      August 5, 2018

      Better Balance on a Skateboard

      August 5, 2018

      Heelflips – How to Heelflip

      March 4, 2018

      How To Kickflip – Kickflip Trick Tip

      December 27, 2017
    • Skateboard Memes
    • Falls
    • Contact
    Skateboard Videos & Photos on everskateSkateboard Videos & Photos on everskate
    Home»Movie Reviews»Code 8 Movie Review – Familiar Concept, Fresh Execution
    Movie Reviews

    Code 8 Movie Review – Familiar Concept, Fresh Execution

    Lucas KleinBy Lucas KleinDecember 17, 2019Updated:January 2, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    code 8 movie review
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Pinterest Email

    Code 8 is a 2019 Science Fiction film simultaneously released in theaters and on streaming. Robbie and Stephen Amell produced a short film of the same name in 2016 in hopes of garnering crowdfunding for a full length feature film through IndieGoGo. Inspired by what they saw, fans quickly helped the Amells (first cousins) surpass their target of $200,000. Principal photography for Code 8 began in June 2017, and according to Wikipedia, boasted a budget of over $29 million. End credits reveal that a variety of production companies and other groups were involved in financing.

    Jeff Chan is credited as both the Director and a Producer, while Robbie and Stephen Amell star as the film’s protagonists (reprising their roles from the short film). Sung Kang, who you know best from the third thru sixth installments of the Fast & Furious franchise also stars.

    code 8, netflix, movie, review, robbie amell
    Robbie Amell stars as specially abled Connor Reed, Code 8’s protagonist.

    Code 8 takes place in an alternate present, where 4% of the world’s population is born with superhuman abilities à la the X-Men (you may also be reminded of Looper). These powers are typically hidden until use, though militarized local governments keep records of all those “enabled” and keep an extremely watchful eye. Code 8 does not delve into the full extent of different powers that exist, but throughout the movie we are introduced to “electrics”, “healers”, mind readers, and those who can individually lift thousands of pounds. Meanwhile, an underground marketplace has developed for “Psyke”, an increasingly popular drug derived from the spinal fluid of those enabled.
    Connor Reed (Robbie Amell), who possesses high-level “electric” skills, is a blue-collar construction worker struggling to make ends meet. Despite being able to utilize his powers to manipulate electricity on the job site (unbeknownst to the authorities), he is troubled with making enough money to treat his ill mother (who is also power-enabled). Desperate for cash, Connor agrees to do a job for Garrett (Stephen Amell) and falls into the dangerous and hostile “Psyke” trade world.

    While Code 8‘s premise doesn’t exactly match that of other science fiction movies and television, it certain feels familiar. Among those that come to mind are the aforementioned X-Men franchise and 2012’s Looper as well as District 9, Bright, Minority Report, Elysium, the Heroes TV series, or perhaps the more recent Captive State. Essentially, the film feels like an amalgamation of sci fi themes including second-class citizenship, feared supernatural ability, and over-militarized police state.

    code 8, sung kang, movie review, netflix
    Code 8 features Sung Kang as Officer Park.

    At about 95 minutes and with a limited budget, Code 8 doesn’t quite explore its world as much as you’re curious about. It uses news montages and bits of expositional dialogue to give you as much as you need to know. With that being said, the end result feels incredibly fresh. Sophmoric sci fi clichés and tropes are either not present or not noticeable. There is little fat in terms of excess characters or story lines. You get to know the characters well due to enthusiastic performances throughout (and namely by the Amells). The pacing feels about right. The CGI is impressive.

    Though the sub-blockbuster budget does show in the production value at times, Code 8 is a brisk, lean ride that feels honest and heartfelt. Where the filmmakers are coming from and where they wanted to go is all laid out in front of you. It’s ambitious, but does not get ahead of itself. Though plenty of relation can be made between the issues presented in Code 8 and modern society, you don’t feel as though any messages are being crammed down your throat or that the creators are trying to imprint their own version of morality on you.

    Ultimately, Code 8 is the kind of effort we’re happy to get behind. Perhaps more importantly, it’s comforting to see fans support a mere snippet of a vision and then be rewarded with seeing a complete picture that lives up to the pitch.

    6.8 Independent Sci Fi Fun

    While pedestrian at times, Code 8 mostly feels organic and unpretentious. It's an easy watch with spirited performances from its leads and enjoyable action.

    Note: Rating Criteria changes from movie to movie as applicable. Each criterion is thoughtfully picked.

    • Sci Fi Ambition 8
    • Originality 6
    • Performances 7
    • Entertainment Value 7
    • Story 6
    • User Ratings (0 Votes) 0
    InTheaters NowStreaming
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    Lucas Klein

    Lucas Klein founded everskate.com in 2013 to help shine a brighter light on amateur skateboarders and positive skateboarding causes. The website expanded over the years to include its own product offerings, skate blog, and entertainment articles. Lucas takes pride in writing about movies, culture, and all things skateboarding.

    Related Posts

    6.2

    Greenland Movie Review – Satisfactory Escapism Hits with Good Timing

    March 21, 2021
    7.6

    Black Bear Movie Review – Aubrey Plaza Puts on an Acting Clinic

    February 3, 2021
    5.0

    Wonder Woman 1984 Review – Patty Jenkins Throws the Kitchen Sink but Falls Short

    January 13, 2021
    5.4

    The Midnight Sky Review – High Production Value & Star Power Can’t Save This Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi

    December 29, 2020

    Why Armageddon is still one of the best disaster movies

    July 20, 2020
    7.2

    Sonic the Hedgehog Movie Review – Redesign Gamble Pays Off

    May 3, 2020
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Products
    • recycled skateboard, rings, skate, upcycled, broken skateboard deck, wood Recycled Skate Ring + Necklace $22.00
    • Black & Bronze Bearing Necklace Black & Bronze Bearing Necklace $12.00
    • Triangle Pendant Chain Necklace Triangle Pendant Chain Necklace $16.00
    • recycled skateboards, jewelry, necklace Push FWD Necklace $19.00
    • Bearing Magnets - Steel 4 Pack Skate Bearing Magnets - Steel 4 Pack $12.00

    We make our jewelry by hand from recycled skateboard parts. Each product you buy helps keep our site going strong and supports positive skate-related causes.  View All Products

    Popular Sections on Everskate
    • Shop Recycled Skateboard Jewelry
    • Skateboard Blog
    • Movie Reviews
    • Skateboard Memes
    • Skateboard Falls
    • F.A.Q. About Our Shop
    • Contact Us
    • Homepage
    Follow us on Instagram
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    Copyright © 2022 Everskate | All Rights Reserved | info@everskate.com | P.O. Box 1692, Claremont, CA 91711

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.