Movie Review: “Surge of Power: Where There’s Smoke” – A fun film for the right fans.

I have always believed that there is an audience for any and every film. Filmmakers just have to identify the specific audience that their film is suited for and get the film to them. Perhaps that really is the biggest challenge for most filmmakers. I am more convinced of this statement after getting to see “Surge of Power: Where There’s Smoke,” which is having its premiere at the Tarzana International Film Festival.

The film is the latest feature instalment in the 20-year-running franchise of quirky and interesting superheroes. In “Surge of Power: Where There’s Smoke,” Surge, the first openly gay superhero to appear on the big screen, joins forces with The Smoke, and together they recruit a diverse team of superheroes to foil the villainous scheme of ‘The Council.’ Meanwhile, The Council has enlisted the help of Falling Apple, a new anti-hero fueled by a quest for vengeance over her father’s murder.

As someone who had not seen any of the ‘Surge’ movies before this one, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to follow the story and enjoy it right through to the end. My interest was certainly piqued to check out the other older instalments in the franchise. This film adopts a carefree, almost nostalgic comic book film approach to storytelling. It feels like something made for fun, but interestingly, every single element required for the production of the film was taken seriously. From costuming to sound design, this quirky, fun film feels and looks more like something that was intentionally meant for the big screen.

The creator of the franchise, Vincent J. Roth, wears the cape in the leading role of Surge. From his delivery, you can tell he is more than committed to the character and the film. Fortunately, it is not the kind of commitment that leaves him appearing to be overacting. Roth embodies Surge with a mix of seriousness and authenticity, making the character endearing and relatable, especially within the film’s unique tone.

The cast list includes an impressive array of talents, including Nichelle Nichols (“Star Trek: The Original Series”), Joseph Culp (“Fantastic Four”), Shannon Farnon (“Super Friends”), Michael Gray (“SHAZAM!”), and Bruce Vilanch (“Hollywood Squares”). All these talents unequivocally add their acting prowess to the quality of acting and delivery in this film. Each actor brings something special to the table, contributing to the film’s charm and ensuring that even the most outlandish scenes are grounded in solid performances.

The writing in this film is littered with some wit and puns that are sure to make you laugh if you are paying close enough attention. The puns are almost very deliberate, with some interesting swipes at other notable superhero figures from other comic book franchises. These moments of humour add an extra layer of enjoyment for viewers familiar with the superhero genre. They also help to establish the film’s identity as a playful, self-aware addition to the superhero canon.

“Surge of Power: Where There’s Smoke” works even as a standalone film with how it leads you into the franchise, particularly the lead character, Surge. Within the film’s 68-minute runtime, you learn enough about Surge and The Smoke. You are also teased with some details about some of the other characters as well. This balance of introducing new elements while respecting the continuity of the franchise is thoughtful.

What makes this film even more fun is the visual effects used. After all, what’s a superhero film without some visual effects to help showcase superpowers? Granted, this VFX is not top-of-the-line stuff, but it all seems to work well for this kind of film. It’s like the VFX just adds to the film’s humour elements and entertains you. The VFX team clearly had as much fun as the actors did in the making of this film. The effects are intentionally ‘campy’, matching the film’s tone and enhancing its overall charm. They serve more as a playful nod to the genre than as a serious attempt at blockbuster spectacle.

Undoubtedly, you might find some of the VFX and even the acting cringe, but you’re more likely to laugh about it than be disgusted or disappointed by it. It is almost as though the film was made deliberately to be cringey and not some polished big-budget, silver-screen superhero film. This deliberate embrace of its own quirkiness is what makes “Surge of Power: Where There’s Smoke” endearing.

I’ll score this film 6/10. It’s a fun film that combines cheesy superhero action with themes of trauma, revenge, and inclusivity that is sure to leave you entertained. It knows exactly what it is and who it’s for, and it never tries to be anything else.