MissOracle’s Review of THE PHOTON EFFECT

Many may know Dan Poole for his various comic book films (specifically The Green Goblin’s Last Stand); earning him much respect and recognition in the fan boy community. Now the Independent Filmmaker brings forth a fun new film which follows his original character Derek Powers AKA Photon, the Human Antenna.

Review Opinion

By MissOracle - Apr 04, 2012 01:04 AM EST

Filed Under: Sci-Fi

During a freak accident involving an experimental microwave antenna, two tower engineers gain superhuman abilities. While the powers they gain are similar, the paths they decide to take are not. Derek Powers wants to use his abilities to help others and to uncover the truth behind Randall Communications Incorporated (RCI), the company who designed the antenna. Meanwhile, Jay Powers secretly becomes part of the experiments performed by RCI, whose lead scientist, Tina Viccarini, is a former love interest of Jay. This series of events ultimately leads to the birth of a new superhero and supervillian.

The Photon Effect has a well-paced storyline which successfully blends in humor and action with characters that draw your attention. Director/Writer Dan Poole brings his own character to life playing Derek Powers opposite Derek Minter who plays Jay Powers (Photon’s cousin). One thing that could make or break a movie for me is how well the dialogue flows between person to person. While there are scenes in the film that are a bit bland, overall this film had some of the best writing I’ve seen in an indie film. Both Poole and Minter have an undeniable chemistry in their many scenes that you could believe they were cousins and the banters between the two most times come off as real and entertaining. Even separated the two did great.

Ariana Almajan plays Tina, a former flame of Jay Powers. While her acting was good, I felt this character wasn’t developed properly. Sure they made it clear she was bad news but I felt there wasn’t enough there to show why exactly Jay still held a torch for her. In the flashback scenes showing the two’s time together she came off as, well, bitchy and uninteresting.

The effects in the film were hit or miss. The various scenes they showed Photon running alongside a certain motorcyclist came off as very cheesy. Some of my favorite scenes, effect wise, were when Derek faces off against a few members of the RCI’s field team. Not only was the choreography fun to watch but the special effects blended in so naturally, you’d forget this is a low budget film.

Overall, an entertaining film which brings forth real, relatable characters in a story that is worthy of the comic book/super hero genre. I have actually sat and watched this film a few times since bringing it home and am happy to have it in my library for future views. I also hope to see a sequel in the future.

Special Features:

Commentary With Dan Poole, Derek Minter, and Doug Adams: This commentary track is really interesting for those (like me) that enjoy learning what took place behind the scenes of a film and what went into creating a motion picture. I feel this commentary is must listen for the filmmakers with a low budget as it's filled with tips and some do's and do not's of making your film.

Alternate Ending: I'm going to guess this was just for laughs and it succeeded. If you get this DVD, this is worth watching for sure.

Behind the Scenes: This three part section contains some humorous tips for putting a set together on a low budget, filming the scene which Poole and Minker crash through two walls, and filming the sound for the feature. I personally enjoyed the "Double Wall Crash" footage, but all three offered laughs.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Follow @k_houston86

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

Recommended For You:

REBEL MOON: PART TWO Described As "Marginally Better Than PART ONE" In First Reactions

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

6 Comments

KittenKisses - 4/4/2012, 1:53 AM

Sidekick ripoff

tanoferu - 4/4/2012, 5:56 AM

Well , the plot is similar to Chronicle :D

Talontd - 4/4/2012, 9:39 AM

@MsOracle

Thanks for this, i hadn't heard of it! I'll check it out soon...always looking for good indie films, and there aren't too many in the superhero genre...

Thx again!

MissOracle’s Review of THE PHOTON EFFECT

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

REBEL MOON: PART TWO Described As "Marginally Better Than PART ONE" In First Reactions

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Comic Book Crossover On The Way From Marvel's SECRET WARS Creative Team

REBEL MOON: PART TWO Described As "Marginally Better Than PART ONE" In First Reactions

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Comic Book Crossover On The Way From Marvel's SECRET WARS Creative Team

REBEL MOON: PART TWO Described As "Marginally Better Than PART ONE" In First Reactions

REBEL MOON Director Zack Snyder Teases An Ambitious Six-Movie Plan For His Netflix Sci-Fi Saga

REBEL MOON R-Rated Director's Cut Will Include A Graphic Alien Sex Scene

Steven Spielberg's Next Project Will Reportedly Be A UFO Movie Based On His Own Original Idea

Popular Headlines

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Happy Meal Toys Reveal A First Look At MCU’s Take On Red Hulk

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Director Zack Snyder FINALLY Explains The Infamous "Martha!" Scene

SNOW WHITE: Rumored Details On The Seven "Dwarfs" & Rachel Zegler's "More Independent" Princess

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

SNOW WHITE: Rumored Details On The Seven "Dwarfs" & Rachel Zegler's "More Independent" Princess

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

THE WITCHER Season 5 Will Be The Show's Last As Netflix Rushes To Adapt Andrzej Sapkowski's Final Three Books

Hot Headlines

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photo With David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

Cartoons & Animated Features

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

TRANSFORMERS ONE Trailer Reveals The Origins Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

Gaming

DIABLO Lead Rod Fergusson On The Possibility Of A TV Series Adaptation

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed AND Canceled As Season 5 Is Confirmed To Be The Show's Last

Anime & Manga

SPY X FAMILY CODE: WHITE Hits North America Theaters Today

MY HERO ACADEMIA: MEMORIES English Dub Streams Coming To Crunchyroll This Weekend

Studio Ghibli's SPIRITED AWAY Is Returning To U.S. Theaters This Month

Horror

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Spoils The Big Twist

IMMACULATE Star Sydney Sweeney Has Been Slammed By A Hollywood Producer: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Action Movies & TV

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; "Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not..."

Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR Is The #1 Movie In North America- Opens To $25.7M

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Adds Four More Actors Including JURASSIC WORLD Star Daniella Pineda

Pro Wrestling & MMA News

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

Damian Priest Reflects On How It Felt To Cash In His Money In The Bank Briefcase At WRESTLEMANIA

AEW EVPs Matt And Nick Jackson, The Young Bucks, Have "No Regrets" After Airing ALL IN Footage

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score Has Been Revealed (And It's Not Good)

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed For A Fifth And FINAL Season; Will Adapt Final THREE Books

REBEL MOON: PART TWO - THE SCARGIVER First Reactions Land Ahead Of Netflix Premiere

Cartoons & Animated Features

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

TRANSFORMERS ONE Trailer Reveals The Origins Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

X-MEN '97 Creative Express Interest In Bringing An X-MEN Animated Movie To Theaters

X-MEN '97 Makes A Big Change To Opening Credits; Showrunner Reveals MAN OF STEEL Inspiration For [SPOILER]

X-MEN '97 Reveals The Fate Of Professor X, The Villain Behind Genosha Attack, And Storm's Future - SPOILERS

Gaming

DIABLO Lead Rod Fergusson On The Possibility Of A TV Series Adaptation

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed AND Canceled As Season 5 Is Confirmed To Be The Show's Last

FALLOUT TV Series Renewed For Second Season After Impressive Debut On Prime Video