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PAGE 10 - GROVE CITY MESSENGER - <strong>August</strong> 23, <strong>2020</strong><br />
In the world of cinema, there is no<br />
greater sin than a good premise gone to<br />
waste. And while that does not mean the<br />
offending film cannot have merit — it can<br />
often be engaging or otherwise wholly<br />
entertaining — it does mean that it leaves<br />
behind that sad feeling of what could have<br />
been had its potential been fulfilled.<br />
The latest film to be stuffed into that<br />
thick and ever-expanding file is “Project<br />
Power,” a non-comic book adaptation about<br />
people with superpowers. In this world,<br />
however, humans are not born with powers<br />
— they choose them. Or rather, they choose<br />
to take a pill that gives them temporary<br />
powers but they do not know which boon<br />
they will receive.<br />
In the short amount of time the power<br />
drug has made its way through the streets<br />
of New Orleans, there have been reports of<br />
men lifting cars over their heads, people<br />
outpacing a fleet of police cars traveling at<br />
high speeds, and apparitions floating<br />
through the walls of banks.<br />
On the other side of these reports on<br />
superhuman feats are reports of more and<br />
more people dying from this mysterious<br />
new drug: some have overdosed after taking<br />
it once, while others have spontaneously<br />
combusted. “Results may vary,” one<br />
dealer says flippantly.<br />
To combat this problem, city detective<br />
Frank Shaver (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has<br />
teamed up with local teen power dealer<br />
Robin (Dominique Fishback) in order to<br />
keep him abreast of the latest distribution<br />
news. And what she has to tell him is not<br />
the kind of news he wants to hear.<br />
According to sources, a man who calls<br />
himself The Major (Jamie Foxx) is now on<br />
the scene. As he is believed to be the prime<br />
suspect in creating this drug, federal officials<br />
have swarmed into town and thrown<br />
around their weight, stating that they will<br />
be the ones to capture this dangerous man<br />
before he takes his product international.<br />
Believing that they cannot do the job<br />
correctly as they do not have the city’s best<br />
interest at heart, Frank sets off to be the<br />
lone man to bring The Major to justice.<br />
What his quest brings him instead is the<br />
realization that things are not as they<br />
appear, and that fact has little to do with<br />
the side effects he experiences while taking<br />
the drug.<br />
Screenwriter Mattson Tomlin, who is<br />
also set to pen “The Batman” script, did a<br />
fantastic job at introducing a cool premise<br />
(taking a pill that allows the user to access<br />
five minutes of an unknown superpower)<br />
while also including the horrors of what<br />
has been done to others in the name of<br />
human advancement. But instead of<br />
expanding on those topics, the latter more<br />
serious as it is based in fact, it just skims<br />
the surface of each and refuses to delve<br />
deeper into those murky waters. In turn,<br />
this allowed directors Ariel Schulman and<br />
Henry Joost to focus more on the style of<br />
the film rather than the substance, making<br />
it an odd blend of shallow social commentary<br />
and generic big budget fare (with<br />
explosives).<br />
With good chemistry<br />
between the<br />
cast and welldesigned<br />
and choreographed<br />
action<br />
sequences sprinkled<br />
throughout, “Project<br />
Power” is a decent offering for those missing<br />
the summer blockbuster season. While<br />
it will leave you with that sad feeling of<br />
what could have been had its potential<br />
been reached, it won’t leave you with the<br />
feeling that it was a complete waste of your<br />
time.<br />
Grade: C+<br />
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
In Entertainment<br />
“Project Power” fails to reach its potential<br />
The Reel Deal<br />
Dedra Cordle<br />
Dedra Cordle is a <strong>Messenger</strong> staff writer<br />
and columnist.<br />
Pet Corner<br />
Pets of the week<br />
These furry friends are available<br />
for adoption at local<br />
rescues and shelters<br />
Hamilton is a<br />
hunter. He will stalk<br />
your ankles from<br />
behind the furniture<br />
and pounce. He also<br />
loves laundry baskets<br />
to hide in.<br />
Hamilton is 3-<br />
months-old and<br />
neutered, microchipped,<br />
FL/FIV negative<br />
and up to date on vaccines. Hamilton is<br />
currently in a foster home and arrangements<br />
can be made for a meeting once you have<br />
submitted an application and been approved.<br />
For more information, contact Colony Cats.<br />
FYI: www.colonycats.org<br />
Bluegrass came in<br />
as a stray and you<br />
may notice his cauliflower<br />
ear from a previous<br />
injury which<br />
just adds to his<br />
sweet charm. He just<br />
adores attention.<br />
Bluegrass is FIV<br />
positive. Cats with<br />
FIV can lives normal lives. Come meet<br />
Bluegrass in the FIV room at the Colony Cats<br />
cage-free adoption center.<br />
FYI: www.colonycats.org<br />
Jonah is a 2-yearold<br />
mastiff who will<br />
be a great companion<br />
for someone who<br />
loves to stay active.<br />
Once he gets to<br />
know you, he will<br />
smooch and happily<br />
cuddle next to you.<br />
He is looking for a<br />
caring and compassionate<br />
home that will help build his confidence.<br />
He is a goofy bundle of enthusiasm.<br />
He will flourish with an experienced owner<br />
who can give him structure. Jonah is up for<br />
adoption at the Franklin County Dog Shelter.<br />
FYI: www.franklincountydogs.com<br />
Sylvester is a 5-<br />
year-old gentleman.<br />
He loves to be<br />
around his people<br />
and is generally quiet<br />
though he will alert<br />
you when a stranger<br />
is approaching. He<br />
loves his Nylabone,<br />
his Kong (with<br />
peanut butter) and<br />
his favorite blanket. He also enjoys running in<br />
the yard, followed by relaxing in the shade. He<br />
is eager to please and eager to find his forever<br />
home. Adopt Sylvester through the Franklin<br />
County Dog Shelter.<br />
FYI: www.franklincountydogs.com