Revenge Girl (2022)

In a dystopian future a corporation develops chips that enhance the powers of the human body and mind. A young girl with the only Mk. II version of the chip escapes the research facility and hides in the slums of the city with her grandmother for a decade. A chance encounter with an escapee from an underground fighting ring brings the corporation thugs to her door.

I can't hate films like this because I know that if I tried to make a film and this is how it turned out I'd be well pleased with myself... "Look at the cool haircuts! Look at the anime-style action! Look how cool the story is... in principle!". Admittedly the fact that I know this is why I don't try to make films.

If I hadn't seen THE WITCH: SUBVERSION I might still think REVENGE GIRL is actually pretty cool though - unfortunately that film benefits a lot from not knowing what is coming, so doing the same thing again doesn't really work - plus this film has a lot more foreshadowing, so the element of surprise is well and truly lost.

Still, when things kick off it's pretty satisfying and the time-and-space warping fights pack a punch. It's basically anime with people faces, but it's done quite well and the result is entertaining.

The film looks pretty good too, although the lack of budget is apparent and the omnipresent orange and blue colour grading is uninspired. The soundtrack is a high point, bombastic without being overbearing,

It's not a good film, if we're being honest with ourselves, but taken as what it is it's not a bad film either. If you were expecting some kind of cinematic masterpiece that will linger with you for years to come, ask yourself why - you're obviously looking in the wrong place and only have yourself to blame.