Sidekick

I saw this the other night at the okanagan fall film fest and it ruled. This is the kinda movie that $200,000,000 would not necessarily make better. The script was awesome very smart very funny and very witty. The acting was all spot on, not one weak character. The directing, cinematography and special effect were all perfect. (just so you know I do not know anyone involved so this IS not a biest review). The beauty of Canadian films is due to lack of budget they have to be exceptional films in order to get picked up and maple has picked this one up so you should see it in your local independent video store come mid November, and I strongly recommend it. All I have to say about this film is that it was well worth the $8 movie ticket and I will stock several copy's in my store.

Watchable but nothing special. It reminded me of a sci-fi channel TV movie. Woulda made a mediocre Twighlight Zone or X-files episode.

I rate it a 3 because if you spent any money watching it, you might very well feel ripped off.

Some people might rate it higher because it's an indie, but I'm an average movie watcher, not a film-school teacher. I rate all movies by one standard.

It had a low-budget feel from the start. Camera and sound work were fine, The few small special effects were OK, so I guess it was the acting and directing that made it feel cheap. All the extras looked like acting students who like to stretch their lines out to get more face-time on camera.

The Baldwin brother looked like De Niro compared to the other actors, and no that's not a compliment. If you thought the movie "Unbreakable" was the bestest movie ever, then you might like this variation of the same theme.

Finally a comic book genre movie that has a worthwhile storyline. This film does not rely on explosions to keep the audience interested- instead it reverts to the past, when movies were made to tell a story. And what a story. This was one I actually wanted to hear and was not disappointed in. I wonder why I don't support home-grown talent more often as opposed to wasting a minimum of eight dollars to see a Hollywood big budget movie that I am always disappointed in? Go see this movie, it reminds me of Canada's relationship with the US. Although Canada is seen as a measly "sidekick" they actually have all of the... well, I won't explain further for fear of spoiling the movie but if you keep this in mind while viewing you will easily grasp my train of thought.

For everyone who ever dreamed of being a super hero ... and then woke up! It's a hilarious take on what it takes to be a comic book style superhero in today's cynical world and what it takes to be one's sidekick. From the lighter side of herodom to the darker corners, this flick will keep you wondering whether to cheer or boo the hero and his sidekick as they try to work out the kinks of possessing extraordinary powers! Its black side makes it unsuitable for little kids but teens and adults will love its quirky characterizations and double-edged message. Does not require a love of comic books to appreciate it ... it fills you in on the superhero mystique as it goes.

You know I admit that when I was a kid I wanted to become a superhero. One day, I'd wake up to realize that I had superpowers and I'd be called on missions to save the world or damsels in distress.

I suppose for someone like Norman Neale, a nerdy computer technician living in the shadow of the "real men" in his office, the best he could do was to become a sidekick. Working in a competitive investment firm in Toronto, Norman discovers his co-worker Victor has the power to move objects from a distance. This discovery gives Norman's life new meaning as he sets out to train Victor to become "Victory Man" and prowl the city streets of Toronto to fight crime.

The only problem is that Norman's fantasy-come-true forces him to deal with the cold, hard facts of real life: sometimes super strength doesn't equal superhero.

I loved Perry Mucci's performance. It's worth renting just to watch him play the nerdy child-like guy who still gets bullied on the streets of Toronto or falls madly in love with the receptionist at work. I didn't know if I should feel sorry for Norman or just plain pray real hard for him.

However, that being said, David Ingram and Perry Mucci played a great "odd couple" performance. It was fun to watch the nerdy comic-book guy train the dumb jock who considered his greatest asset in life not to be his superpowers, but rather his ability to screw as many women while on his way up the corporate ladder. The training sequences are hilarious as we watch poor Norman take not one but two bottles in the head for the team. Good on you, Norman!

Sidekick is a great story; it's fast-paced, full of foreshadowing with comic-book like scenes scattered throughout the film. I'd love to get Baldwin's death-by-choking face in poster format. There are no boring or slow scenes in Sidekick and there were many witty lines of dialogue that belong on bumper stickers or business calendars (see Andrea Hicks dialogue below).

The music and soundtrack was amazing on this film and I loved the opening sequence with the title and credits! That must have made Sparaga feel tingly all over when he saw that. Nice touch!

I wish there was more of the Andrea character! I sense that the character had a larger role to play in the film, but sadly, remained the young, female receptionist desperately trying to make her way in a man's world. Although her line regarding being forced to pick locks with other guy's dicks is, as far as I am concerned, a work of art, I felt that Andrea could have contributed more to the story.

Sidekick is a low-budget film that's high on plot development and great dialogue. Make a sequel Mike!!!