iBoy (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.

Fmovies: Lad is involved in incident with mobile phone and starts to exhibit special powers which he begins to use in many interesting ways. British cast, with younger actors predominating, does well in a film which is well photographed, well edited, and has a good soundtrack and better than average script. It's entertaining, has some novel twists, and is certainly well worth the watch.

Perhaps it doesn't have the budget of the alternative superhero studios but Netflix have done well to release this as one of their originals. You will pay more to see worse.

Recommended to anyone interested in the superhero genre or who like good, solid entertainment.

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 fmovies. 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.

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.

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.