Review of A-X-L (2018) by Corine C — 28 Aug 2018

A.X.L.

Initial Reaction: How much grease does this axel need?

Main Characters.

Miles: He's a motorcycle racer played by Axel Naustaeder.

Sara: She's an up and coming artist. She's played by Becky G.

Plot Summary.

Miles is trying to make headway in the business of motorcycle racing. It starts off with him in a race (which wouldn't be possible if Sara didn't steal a chain for his motorcycle - he broke every one he had in the previous races).

He goes on to win that race and impresses (or is that angers) the leading motorcycle racing company, Fontaine.

After the race, Miles goes to a party hosted by Fontaine - a fellow racer. He gets a bit cozy with Sara before heading home.

The next day, Fontaine takes Miles off to a secluded spot and has him perform motorcycle tricks. But Fontaine sabotages Miles' motorcycle causing him to crash. Then Fontaine ditches Miles, leaving him gas for him to get home.

While he's out there Miles comes across a robotic dog that escaped from its creators. At first, it attacks Miles, but soon changes it's mind and takes Miles as a friend (How? Don't ask.).

Then Sara shows up to see if Miles is okay, and the dog (named AXL) takes her as a friend as well (Again, don't ask how).

But the owners/creators of AXL want him back any way possible.

SCORING.

Main Characters.

It's been a while since I've seen characters this flat. Miles is a motorcycle racer - and that's about it. Sara's an artist - and that's about it. The writers need to give them more background and more interesting quirks or characteristics. SCORE: 2.

Supporting Cast.

The rest of the cast isn't much better - there's the father who dispenses the wise advice, the bad guy who wants to create the next great weapon, and the other cast members who are just forgettable. SCORE: 3.

Plot.

There are several questions that this film need to answer, but doesn't. Why does AXL run away in the first place? Why does it make Miles and Sara people for it to protect? How is AXL a "Male" and not "Female"? Why does Sara fall head over heels in love with Miles and do all sorts of things for him? Why does Fontaine ditch Miles after sabotaging his motorcycle? This story just doesn't flow at all. SCORE: 2.

Originality.

These characters are tired, the plot feels bland and the action just doesn't pop. I've seen other action films that are more thought out and better paced than this. SCORE: 3.

Violence Factor.

There's a lot of chasing around between Miles, AXL and the creators of AXL. But these action sequences are just flat and uninspired - especially the last one that has very little build up in it. SCORE: 3.

Other Moral Issues.

This film is supposed to be about how a boy and a dog become a team. But the problem is, AXL takes Miles and Sara as friends far too quickly for me to believe it.

And I have to ask again: why does Sara fall so hard for Miles? SCORE: 2.

Final Score (out of 60): 15 % Score: 25%.

This plot needs a major rewrite and far better main characters.