Introduction & Background
Jeff Chan’s 2019 sci-fi action thriller film, Code 8, is getting a sequel titled Code 8: Part II which will premiere on February 28, 2024, on Netflix. The film brings back cousins Robbie Amell and Stephen Amell who will once again play Connor Reed and Garrett Kelton, respectively. Code 8 was originally a crowdfunded project which released as a cult film due to its unique blend of grit and realism with superhero undertones.
The sequel focuses on a more expansive storyline with intricate thematic elements. Set in the dystopian futuristic Lincoln City where people with supernatural abilities are oppressed, criminalized, and under constant government surveillance, the story of Part II explores deeper into the lore of the world, its people, and supernatural abilities.
Setting & Premise
Part II is set in Lincoln City, five years after the original film’s events. The film showcases advanced technology along with evolved enforcement practices. Outdated violent robotic police drones have now been replaced with newer, K9 robotic police dogs. These machines are meant to track and subdue PWPs (People With Powers).
Even though these robots are marketed as a kinder option, they still remain fundamentally problematic and life-threatening, especially in the hands of crooked officers. The sequel follows Connor Reed as he attempts to live a quiet life after being released from prison, and the world is still brimming with social turmoil and unrest.
Plot Overview
To move on from his past, Connor has taken a position as a janitor in a local youth community center. At the same time, Garrett Kelton, a telekinetic called the PWP, is a main power player in the Towers neighborhood. He has a monopoly on the distribution of Psyke, a drug that is synthesized from the spinal fluid of individuals with superpowers. He claims that his operation is ethical and claims to protect the suppressed, but in reality, his empire is built on profit-driven exploitation and violence.
The emotional part of the movie revolves around Pavani “Pav” Gilani, a 14-year-old electrically powered girl living with her older brother, Tarak. When Tarak steals from Garrett’s operation out of desperation, a robotic K9 unit overseen by corrupt Sergeant “King” Kingston is deployed. As a form of brutal state-sponsored violence, the robot kills Tarak by injecting him with an overdose of Psyke. Pav witnesses the entire act and, fully exposing herself to risk, uses her powers to disable the robot.
Pav is on the run and fleeing to the community center is the last place she remembers. It’s there that she meets Connor, who is rather reluctant to take her in, but ultimately, he does. Even though he realizes that rescuing her means he is going to be dragged back to the underground world he is trying to escape, he is determined to protect her. Ultimately, for her own good, Connor decides to erase her identity and trauma, granting him the option to protect Pav’s identity.
Additionally, for the sake of preserving her memories and identity, Connor chooses not to erase her memories, resulting in them both teaming up to take down Sergeant King and expose the K9 program’s rampant corruption. The only evidence that exists of the crime is in the memory banks of the robotic unit that ends up claiming Tarak’s life.
The film progresses to an ultimate showdown. With Garrett’s assistance, Pav, and Connor, go to King’s house to get the robot. During the final confrontation at the Towers, Pav deactivates the robotic K9 unit and publicly projects the footage of her brother’s murder, King losing the K9 program, and getting arrested.
Eventually, Garrett is captured and imprisoned, taking the fall for everything. Connor remains employed at the community center and is continuing to help Pav and others like her. Although one form of oppression has been lifted, the story closes with the idea that the battle for justice is unending.
MAIN CAST & CHARACTERS
Robbie Amell as Connor Reed- A criminal from the past and an electrified man seeking forgiveness and trying to repair the damage.
Stephen Amell as Garrett Kelton- A telekinetic crime boss who has one foot in exploitation and the other in protection.
Sirena Gulamgaus as Pavani Pav Gilani- A young girl with electric powers and the emotional core of the film.
Alex Mallari Jr. as Sergeant King Kingston- A high-tech violent and a corrupt police officer who enforces order.
Jean Yoon, Aaron Abrams, and Moe Jeudy-Lamour have supporting roles that enrich the film’s universe.
Themes & Commentary
- Police Militarization and Technological Oppression
Robotic police dogs represent the use of surveillance technology and militarized policing as created instruments of social control. The transition from humanoid robots to K9 units demonstrates how institutions change over time and become more abusive without addressing the core problem: systemic rot.
- Power and Exploitation
Garrett’s dual role as a community defender and a drug lord illustrates the duality of power. While he defends the community, he also takes advantage of the community’s distress. The film raises the philosophical inquiry: can one do the wrong thing for the right intentions?
- Memory, Trauma, and Identity
The subplot regarding the possible deletion of Pav’s memories examines the role memory plays in the construction of self. Connor’s insistence that Pav cannot forget her brother reinforces the notion that painful memories also help define a person’s identity.
- Redemption and Moral Conflict
The pattern of Connor’s evolution from a hesitant guardian to a more active defender in the fight for freedom exemplifies the theme of redemption. He is a quietly active character, slowly changing for the better by taking “correct” actions that come with a personal burden.
Cinematography and Direction
Jeff Chan puts his signature grittiness and realism to the film. The Lincoln City setting gives the film a bleak and lived-in feel. The cinematography makes use of stark lighting and tight framing to create and enhance the claustrophobia and desperation of the characters and the systems of the world that they are trapped in.
The use of visual effects is minimal, and used where they are the most effective. The electric shocks, telekinesis, and cloaking used by the powered individuals is depicted in a reserved manner ensuring they are grounded in realism. The robotic dogs command a fierce image, with their sleek design and threatening movements adding to the tension.
Reception
Audience and critics both received Code 8: Part II with a mostly positive reception. Many praised the ambition and pacing, as well as the performances with particular emphasis on Sirena Gulamgaus’s portrayal of Pav. Critics praised the sequel for building on the original world and appreciating the themes of state violence and emotional healing.
There are some who still argue that the film lacked character development for supporting cast, coupled with a rapid pace that didn’t allow the exploration of the consequences of its moral questions. The majority still agreed that the film improved on the premise of the first film, providing better world building and a more emotionally engaging narrative.
Conclusion
Code 8: Part II continues the story of its predecessor by deepening the world-building, weaving in timely social issues, and providing action within character-driven emotional arcs. While it may not transform the sci-fi genre, it tells a rooted tale of social awareness in a world struggling with the concepts of power and responsibility.
The film is of interest not only to its fans but also to viewers seeking more sophisticated and thoughtful cinematic storytelling. It blends science fiction with character drama and has some political subtext with big ideas, making it appealing to a wider audience. Even in the absence of a third film, Code 8: Part II remains an intriguing expansion to the narrative of a world where power serves as both a burden and a gift.
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