It has a star-studded cast, seemingly high budget, and new twist on a familiar concept and, as a result, it was received relatively well, yet still perhaps did not get the credit it deserved. This is a film about an unlikely trio of regular people with good intentions trying to combat a form of superpowers being sold and causing chaos in their city.
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The reason Project Power’s creators chose to have the power distributed through consuming a pill in this storyline is to reflect the message of the movie, that power is a drug and if someone gets a taste, they crave more and more. The more power someone gets, though, the more the quantity grows that they need to feel satisfied. Like many drugs, while taking the pill gave you power, it could also kill those that used it in excess. This demonstrates how becoming wrapped up in the power can consume you to the point of no return.
Not only do those that possess the power struggle with corruption, but also those that seek to obtain the power. They become so wrapped up in their pursuit for power, that- even without actually having it- they become corrupted by it, to the point that they’re willing to do whatever they have to.
A large part of what makes the action centered around the powers violent, is that many of the characters that come into possession of the powers have ill-intent. Also, many of the people that purchase or obtain the powers use them to commit crimes or to control others. This is essentially examining what would happen if it wasn’t the good guys that got the power, but the bad guys.
Action in a movie where superpowers are a driving force in the story is inevitable because it’s part of the genre’s formula. This movie, however, takes that up a notch. It leans into the gore of action and doesn’t hold back from killing off characters throughout the film.
Project Power takes this noticeably more violent approach as a means of highlighting the main message- power in the hands of the wrong people can be dangerous and messy. The music selection for the film even reflects this connection between violence and corruption and the addictive qualities of such a lifestyle.
Along with the direct messages about power and its corruption, the movie also explores several everyday, real life situations where individuals misuse their power, like when the teacher tries to dangle his power over Robin to enforce respect by embarrassing and belittling her. There’s also the case of Frank, the cop, who is supposed to be investigating the power pills to stop them but is actually taking them to give himself a leg up in certain situations.
Even the scene where Art kidnaps Robin explores the dynamics of power. Though Art has the physical strength to control Robin, she has the mental strength to retaliate or get information out of him. When Robin begins to demonstrate her mental capability, Art begins to respect her and the power dynamic becomes balanced.
This film examines the concept of superpowers in what is likely a more realistic light than the traditional superhero/super villain movie. In actuality, if such powers were obtainable, it probably would be a lot of the wrong people that were able to possess them, and it probably would fester into quite a large issue for society that only perpetuated societal constructs that allow for inequality, like classism.
The film deliberately sets itself apart from other movies about superpowers in the line where Robin says to Art, “I thought we were like Batman and Robin.” and he tells her that they’re not Batman and Robin because “this is real life” which really drives home the point that this is looking at power realistically, not in the typical glorified light.
While the main message of the story is focused on the problems with power and how the wrong people can negatively use it, the message also has a light side. Amidst all the gore and violence, viewers can see through the main characters that it is good people coming together that are capable of taking down corrupt power.
The only good form of power that’s displayed in the film is power that is used to help others. Rather than ending in violence or death, it usually results in things working out. Power with a purpose is power sourced from shared knowledge and emotional connection. Our greatest powers as people are knowledge and love, even in a world where superpowers exist. The film suggests that true power is something you can’t buy; it comes from within, in the form of love, sacrifice, freedom, endurance, talent, knowledge, and more. Only power that comes from within cannot consume you.
Though the darker elements and the gore can be difficult to watch, it is easy to appreciate what they bring to the story when you look at what Project Power’s message is trying to achieve. It shines a light on the fact that power is enough incentive to get most people to do anything. The message is wrapped in violence to accurately illustrate the stakes and how one can lose themselves to it.
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