A.X.L. Review
PG: Sci-fi action/peril, suggestive material, thematic elements and some language
Global Road Entertainment, Lakeshore Entertainment
1 Hr and 40 Minutes
Writer/Dir: Oliver Daly
Cast: Alex Neustaedter, Becky G, Alex MacNicoll, Dominic Rains, Thomas Jane
A.X.L. is a top-secret, robotic dog created by the military to help protect tomorrow's soldiers. Code named by the scientists who created him, A.X.L. stands for Attack, Exploration, Logistics, and embodies the most advanced, next-generation artificial intelligence. After an experiment gone wrong, A.X.L. is discovered hiding alone in the desert by a kind-hearted outsider named Miles (Alex Neustaedter), who finds a way to connect with him after activating his owner-pairing technology. Together, the two develop a special friendship based on trust, loyalty and compassion. Helping Miles gain the confidence he's been lacking, A.X.L. will go to any length to protect his new companion, including facing off against the scientists who created him and who will do anything to get him back. Knowing what is at stake if A.X.L. is captured, Miles teams up with a smart, resourceful ally named Sara (Becky G) to protect his new best friend.
THE GOOD
When the robot dog is in motion the CGI is lame. When it is just standing still, it looks fine. You can see the detailing on the dog and it has some life-like moments. The leads do such a fine job interacting with the fake creature that it does feel as if the dog is present. It is integrated well onscreen and the leads’ performances are grounded.
As an adult, I would love to have a dog like this. Yeah, he does everything a robot dog would do, but he also has the ability to access ATM machines and print out money for you by just looking at it. That was the only scene that made me pop my eyes open and grabbed my attention. A ROBOT DOG THAT CAN PRINT MONEY FOR YOU?!
I guess that’s all I have because there’s nothing much to say about this Direct-to-DVD film that somehow inadvertently made its way to a theater.
THE BAD
I’m getting so close to making a top ten list dedicated to the films of 2018 that made me question, “Why is this in a theater?” and “A.X.L” would easily make the list. If you’ve seen “Transformers”, “Monster Trucks”, “Earth to Echo”, “The Iron Giant”, “Reel Steel”, and “E.T.” just put them all in a blender, strain all the substance and fun out of it, add a hint of dullness, and the end result is “A.X.L”. Get it? Because a robot dog has a common dog-like name, but it’s also the worst acronym ever. Attack Exploration Logistics. Couldn’t think of a better acronym than that?!
The film spends a good five minutes establishing our lead character Miles through extreme motorcycling. Remember that in the early 2000s? Extreme sports? Well “A.X.L” attempts to bring it back. The first 20 minutes gives you nothing but characters riding motorcycles, doing daredevil tricks with their motorcycles, MOTORCYCLES EVERYWHERE. Aside from all of that motor power, you’re shown people partying in the most PG way imaginable. This movie is rated PG so when Miles goes to this party teenagers are drinking soda, playing VR, and filming each other doing the most outrageous thing ever: EATING A 2-FOOT-LONG SANDWICH!
All of your tropes that have been done to death for years are here, including (but not limited to):
Lead character is a misfit and a bit of a troublemaker until he meets this creature that he dedicates his entire heart to
Has a bully character who is a hotshot asshole that cares about nobody but himself
Government officials trying to obtain the creature for their own purposes
Scenes of whimsy and fun that adds nothing to the story but is there for kids (mostly preteen boys) to relish in awe at
Creature’s primary objective is to kill, but is actually a sweetheart
It’s not complete without it’s stupid moments, such as a scene where the bully confronts Serena asking why she’s hanging with white trash. Mind you, he’s a worse piece of white trash than Miles is, for he loves to commit arson everywhere he goes.
Then, you have these two scientists that built A.X.L who play as spectators to every move their robotic canine creation does and they’re pretty much a half glass empty and half glass full duo. One is an optimist and wants to use their creation for sadistic military use and the other is the opposite of that where he wonders: WHAT IF HE KILLS CIVILIANS??? They’re both evil, but one is more sadistic than the other.
I’m not wasting my time reviewing this any further because there’s little to say about “A.X.L”. You’ve seen this story done 100 times before (and done much better). We’re going to get the same story again in December with “Bumblebee” and my tiny heart felt something in that 2-minute running time of the trailer than I did with the 100-minute running time of this movie. I had more fun with freaking “Monster Trucks” for crying out loud! At least that had a bit of creativity to compensate for its tired premise. Here, you get nothing but XTREME MOTOCROSS!
LAST STATEMENT
“A.X.L” is a perfect representation of what it means to be a dumped August theatrical release. It doesn’t offer anything new or exciting and it doesn’t need to be in a theater. It’s just there. You can watch better family films at home.
Rating: 1.5/5 | 36%
Super Scene: A.X.L withdraws monaaay
