In Bionic (Netflix), the near future Brazil is full of pro elite prosthetic athletes. A software of mind fluent run by a tech company and their customized artificial limbs that are made from solid fiber have just brought about the newest level of human power obtainable, while this is exciting on many levels it becomes highly dangerous in many others where Maria who is an Olympic long jumper as well as Gabi her sister are caught between what new prosthetic technology can do. Also directed and co-written by Afonso Poyart (2 Coelhos, Solace), Bionic also stars Bruno Gaggliasso and Christian Malheiros.
BIONIC: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
The Gist: It’s 2035, Gabi’s almost fifty-foot jump (!) during the Pan-American Bionic Games breaks an all-time record. Their mother was an Olympic long jumper before them, and both sisters trained with her when they were young. She died however when they were still kids with Ricardo (Nill Marcondes) ensuring that his amputee daughter Gabi was equipped with a Solid Limbs prosthetic leg which could be integrated into the brain. As such, Maria spends her time at the hippodrome wearing off bionic athlete glory for her sister while she sprints like in ancient times around a dilapidated track arena. “This place feels like home,” she tells Gus her little brother when he comes over to see her.“I guess it reflects today’s regular athletes: forsaken.”
Through Gus’ aid who introduces low-level criminal Heitor (Gaggliasso), Maria also falls into romantic involvement with him; Heitor wants to overcome Solid Limbs’ monopoly concerning their prosthesis technology. However, even though she is attracted to this jealousy also enters her mind since eventually Maria acquires a new and more powerful right leg prosthesis as well (“NIM” microchip is another crucial component here as it serves as the electronic link between a user’s brain and her self-made extremities). That’s possible. This also happens, but unknowingly or inadvertently, does she use it to aid Heitor and his men in their wicked objectives? Yes again. And while on this matter, are there two detectives following Maria and Heitor around town? Yes to that!
A drag, Bionic spends much of its time dwelling on Heitor’s plan. This plot lacks depth compared to the other parts of the movie which are mainly about human endurance levels. However some aspects of Bionic do pose important questions in science fiction such as how humans can be addicted to technology or if “superpowered” people ever exist and when; control over human enhancements during development process and beyond. For Maria and Gabi, what they choose will be based on whom they have always been regardless of any tech add-ons.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of? Solid Limbs prosthetic tech ads feature Gabi in these towering 3D holograms within Bionic that stylish Blade Runner 2049 evokes while the less attractive cement colors/random burbling flat screens Marvel Cinematic Universe aesthetic is blatantly mocked by it.
Performance Worth Watching: The atmosphere is charged between Jessica Córes and Gabz as Maria and Gabi, who are sisters. They’ve always been in competition, more so with each other than with anyone else, a relationship that is the only thing making Bionic worth watching when its narrative software fails.
Memorable Dialogue: At some point in the story, Bionic takes us to the surgical theaters and performance labs of Solid Limbs where dialogue goes into a mode that is at once vague and sounding important because it’s about Future Medical Science. “It is amazing how mechanical,” says one character to another, “it implants.” In addition, he adds that this implantation occurs within the area of motor cortex which gives thirty percent extra strength and speed; it acts on the neurotransmitters”.
Sex and Skin: Sleek super-powerful artificial limbs: not just highly desired by evil criminals but also part of his fetish we know this due to their exceptional qualities.
Watch Bionic For Free On Putlocker.