Hey gang, Valkor here. The geek in me loves this next film that's up on the TOV MediaView chopping block. It's kind of like an X-Men mutant origin story that could easily fit into the X-Universe. Or any comic book universe. And I'm surprised the film isn't hyped that way. So, now we have The Fix coming to the main stage. And right away, I can say that you're in for a hell of a good time. Some spoilers ahead.
In the world of The Fix, given that the air is toxic, the Earth's population has to wear masks to survive. There is a company called Aethera that produces pills, which make it so that you don't have to wear a mask. But the pills will soon be in limited supply. And they'll need something more long-term.
Enter Ella (Grace Van Dien), a model who is not having the best of days; At the start of the film, we learn that it's the anniversary of her mother’s death. She’s also having issues with her current boyfriend, Tully (Tafara Nyatsanza) as he's been hooking up with her best friend, Gina (Robyn Rossouw). How could things get any worse?
Let's take things back a step or three; Before Ella learned about Tully and Gina being a couple. Tully, along with Gina, went to visit his drug dealer about picking up some product for a party that he’s having. After choosing to snoop around the drug spot, Tully discovers that his dealer is working on a new drug behind closed doors. So he decides to help himself to a vial. And this is where things get worse for Ella. At the party, after she confronts Gina and Tully. Ella finds the stolen vial left behind by Tully and drinks all of the liquid inside. Moments later she succumbs to the effects of the drug just as the dealers, whom Tully stole the drug from, arrive. And thus begins Ella’s transformation. She can cling to walls, fly, and produce spikes from her arms. When Ella uses her powers, it reminds me of Darwin from the X-Men, as her abilities mainly come in handy when she’s in tight situations. It's abilities she doesn't want. However, it's this mutation that can save lives if placed in proper hands.
The drug was created by a scientist named Solomon (Keenan Arrison), who not only tested the drug on himself but wants the more stable version that resides in Ella for anyone to take. However, there is another company called Aethera, led by a guy named Eric (Daniel Sharman), who wants to pick and choose who gets the drug. Ultimately, Ella escapes Eric's hold and endures/embraces her full mutation of becoming a good fairy as well as becoming the only hope for the people of the planet.
I skimmed over a lot, and I mean a lot of detail for The Fix. There is more, so don't believe that what I state here is all there is. The ending is open-ended. So, will there be a part two? I sort of hope not. Then again, I would like to see more of Ella's adventures and what she can do with her newfound abilities. Also, will she adopt a hero name, and maybe battle against other mutants? It's something I'd like to see. So, until that time that such a film is announced, let's dive in with the TOV Breakdown!
The Good:
The Fix is an imaginative, compelling, and highly entertaining piece of sci-fi filled with loads of drama and action scenes that will keep you locked in from start to finish. The story of Ella's mutant journey turned hero of the people is one that is fraught with danger at every turn. Ultimately, who can she trust? Loads of people want a piece of her because of what's inside of her. However, it's up to Ella to figure out who is looking out for her best interest in this unusual situation. Ella's mutant ability is what kept me locked in. As I stated above, her powers are reminiscent of X-men's Darwin, where her abilities kick in for her survival. But are producing spikes or climbing walls the limit to her abilities? Or is there more? The action bits are stunning and loads of fun. There are plenty of chase scenes but not too many explosions. However, there's just enough going on that makes things fun and interesting. Kudos to the practical and digital effects used in the film. You don't normally see effects done this well in an indie film. But in The Fix, the work that was done gets a big thumbs up. Finally, the acting was amazing, with all performances deserving an A+. Grace deserves the most praise since I found it fascinating to see her character transform from a self-centered individual to someone capable of saving the world. There's also a nice cameo appearance by Clancy Brown, which it never hurts to have him around (Loved ya in The Penguin series). In the end, The Fix was an ambitious effort that exceeded my expectations. And it has more going for it than against it.
The Bad:
The film's pace, which slows down toward the end, is my sole issue. It's nothing major, but it does throw things off a bit.
The Ugly:
N/A
The Fix is currently available on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Tubi, and other streaming services. No matter which service you choose, you won't be disappointed as the film is a unique experience any sci-fi fan can enjoy. Even though The Fix isn't marketed as a comic book movie, you should still check it out if you enjoy such films. I highly recommend it. And out of TOV 5 stars, I'm giving The Fix 4.5.
