Movie review: Project Power

 A new drug called Power has hit the streets of New Orleans, giving users unpredictable superpowers for five minutes. Or, they might explode. Focused on finding his daughter, the genetic source of Power, ex-soldier Art teams up with a local cop and a teenage drug dealer to stop those responsible.

Jamie Foxx (Art), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Frank), Dominique Fishback (Robin), Rodrigo Santoro (Biggie), Courtney B. Vance (Capt. Craine), Amy Landecker (Gardner), Machine Gun Kelly (Newt), Tait Fletcher (Wallace).

Project Power begins with character introductions and brief backstory on the arrival of Power in New Orleans. The players now in place, the plot begins to unroll as Art, Frank, and Robin realize Power is a problem. Teaming up, they focus on taking down those responsible and saving Art's daughter, the genetic source of Power. The journey up to the Happy Ever After ending is a nice mix of action, drama, and suspense and the film moves along well.

Acting was good with Foxx, Gordon-Levitt, and Fishback all delivering nicely and appearing to work well together. Santoro, Vance, and Kelly rounded out the cast nicely and supported well. The remainder of the cast was solid and enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all good with a nice solid feel. Effects were good with nice detail and fit throughout. Action scenes were energetic and added well. Dialogue was pretty good, as were sound and soundtrack.

In the end Project Power is a nicely done crime action flick with solid acting and technical work. The plot, though familiar, is tweaked just enough to keep the story interesting and the pace helps keep the audience engaged. Crime action fans should enjoy this one.

With some mild sexuality, violence and gore, foul language and drug use, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2020
Reviewed: 4.29.21
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Crime Action

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