Movie Review: The Photon Effect (2010)

Written & Directed by Dan Poole

Starring Dan Poole Derek Minter and Brian Razzino

The basic plot: During a freak accident involving an experimental microwave antenna, two tower engineers gain superhuman abilities. While the powers they gain are similar, the paths they decide to take are not. Derek Powers wants to use his abilities to help others and to uncover the truth behind Randall Communications Incorporated (RCI), the company who designed the antenna. Meanwhile, Jay Powers secretly becomes part of the experiments performed by RCI, whose lead scientist, Tina Viccarini, is a former love interest of Jay. This series of events ultimately leads to the birth of a new superhero and super villain.

Buy The Photon Effect on DVD

Before watching this one I read a couple of reviews to kind of get a feel for what I was in store for, and from what was out there it seemed like this might be a pretty decent movie. But when it was all said and done my own opinion was, It just wasn't that good a movie. First off, there was just so many things going on that did not make sense to me. Every 5 minutes or so I would find myself asking, Wait a minute, why would you do that? That doesn't make any sense. Which basically sums this film up for me.....it didn't make any sense. The pacing was slow and plodding, it never really got up to steam and didn't resemble a “superhero movie” until the last 15 minutes or so, and by that time it was just too late to save it. The dialog was corny and the acting was a little painful to watch at times. The effects were at times okay, (Like when Jay Powers is being juiced up with some mysterious form of microwave radiation in the chamber where he is gradually being transformed into a “super villain”) and at other times the effects are just downright laughable (Like when Derek Powers is using his ability to run really fast in order to catch a purse snatching motorcyclist.) Which looked like something from a 70's ABC After-School Special.

I guess if you were a hardcore comic-book fan or superhero worshiper you might find it a quaint little movie. I'd say its about on par with most of the stuff you will see on the SyFy channel nowadays.

4 out of 10

Reviewed by KennyB