American Hero (2015)

The story of a person with superhuman abilities filmed in a handheld style will inevitably cast minds back to Josh Trank's 2012 highly enjoyable breakout hit CHRONICLE. However, while AMERICAN HERO certainly offers at least a nod in that direction, it is clear from the off that this is its own film with a focus more on the man than the power.AMERICAN HERO tells the story of Melvin (Dorff), a man gifted with the power of telekinesis and little interest in using his powers for anything worthwhile. Instead, he spends the majority of his time partying and using his powers to impress girls. Along with his wheelchair-bound best friend Lucille (Griffin), he is living a fairly wasted existence. That is until he begins to question his moral compass after a realisation that getting his life back on track will be the only way to see his estranged son.It's a fairly conventional quest for redemption story template with a superpower thrown in to make the story a bit more sellable. It doesn't offer anything fresh to the genre but it does have its charms. In the lead role, Dorff is well cast and believable as an ordinary guy who just happens to possess this gift he has no idea how to use to his full advantage. Curiously, and rather refreshingly, it's never revealed at any point in the story how Melvin came to be this way, or indeed if there might be others like him. In the supporting role, Griffin is a hoot as the best friend/sidekick providing much of this film's wittiest moments.British writer/director Nick Love, who is more known for his gritty British crime dramas including THE BUSINESS and THE SWEENEY, has really stepped out of his comfort zone here with this all-American comedy that boasts elements of sci-fi and superheroism. What's more, he's chosen to film AMERICAN HERO in the style of a hybrid documentary/fly-on-the-wall. It's a method that does not pay off in the way he had hoped as it makes the narrative a little confusing; at times it's clear the characters are aware they are being filmed and even address the camera, other times they're not. You can't help but wish this narrative clumsiness had been handled with a bit more care.The moments we spend with Melvin as he contemplates his life and where he's heading provide some of the film's best moments, his interactions with Lucille are a particular joy. What is perhaps not quite as charming is the limited story arc and one particular unconvincing character development that threatens to overrule the enjoyment factor. The end conclusion also feels rushed and uninspiring.There is definitely content here to be enjoyed, it's just a shame that a clumsy execution and weak story arc hamper some of the film's better components.

I really enjoyed watching this movie. That said, I went in with very little expectations and I did not expect it to be Man of Steel or even Hancock. If all you want to see is a Hollywood superhero action movie, then this is not the movie for you.This movie is about a guy with superpowers, not a superhero. It's depiction is much more down to earth, mundane, and realistic compared to the glamorous and romantic depiction of people with super powers in other movies like The Marvel and DC films.It's about a pretty average, albeit really irresponsible guy who deals with his own personal issues.. he also just so happens to have telekinesis. I say give it a chance unless you want an action packed "superhero" movie.

American Hero show us. A different kind of hero, one who doesn't insults our intelligence.The movie show us the life of Melvin but the history of his community, where working class people fight everyday to live in a hard and hostile society. I appreciate a lot the character of Lucille, different than the usual characterization of a person with disability (I prefer to talk about functional diversity), the drugs threat over youth, The Katrina that still affect the life of many people. Is many histories and the history of someone who have been lost for many years and finally open the eyes and use their capabilities for the community.I have read many reviews about the movie giving it a bad qualification. If you expected to find Hancock sorry, theirs no fireworks but if content. Probably, we all assume that in popular culture a super hero movie must be accompanied by special effects, non-stop action than reduce to nothing the content, it doesn't matter. This will must make us think how the mainstream cinema have influenced us.I think is a good movie with a non millionaire budget but with an interesting and fresh use of characters and their relation with spectators.

One of the most interesting indi films and quite difficult to explain but will give it a try. Melvin (stephen dorff) is a beer loving drug taking party goer but with the advantage of having super powers after a court case bans him from seeing his son melvin and his best friend lucille (eddie griffin) attempt to change their ways so melvin can get his son back. The comedy is dark and random but the way this film is shot is brilliant as its in the style of a documentary. Stephen dorff has kept himself busy over the years and not done anything outstanding since Blade 1998, American hero will put him back in Hollywood's window as it shows just how good of a actor he is.