Once Upon a Superhero (2018) User Reviews

Very Atmospheric and a Great Ride

[FrankSilva_2009 · 9/10 · 3 July 2018]

I saw this movie at a sold-out screening at the Vista in Hollywood. Perfect location! The trailer gave me a little insight for the ride I'd be on but I was not prepared for the amazing adventure I actually went on.

John Kline put together a movie like none you'll see in theaters. Basically take everything you know about Darren Aronofsky or Andrei Tarkovsky and give it another ten pumps of awesome juice. A pure trippy ride at times and very well executed. The animated sequences were where I was really sold and settled into my seat to enjoy the flick.

The lead actor Adam Marcinowski did a great job of becoming Solar Flare a drifter of the streets that we more often than not never get a chance to connect with because we think they're crazy or mentally disabled. It's a sad fact of human existence and Mr. Marcinowski made me empathize and think twice before I walk past another life that I may think is lost. His performance gives an honest grim reality of the flip side for what most of us take for granted.

The score in the film was amazing and really tied everything together.

The movie in the end had a great message and I enjoyed the dark, atmospheric ride that I went on to get there. I could see A24 distributing this film. Must see! Hopefully it'll be streaming soon. I'd probably suggest having a glass of wine or a cordial before or during this film! It's a ride of epic proportions!

Excellent Shot at the System

[jessedlandry · 9/10 · 10 August 2018]

As a friend of one of the folks involved with bringing Solar Flare to life; I went in to support him....

However, I left in amazement as the movie had all I love to see in movies - A strong story line, wrapped around a dark love story.... Complete with sex, drugs and the occasional spats of violence....

Cap't Blvd. adds in a comedic, yet eerily familiar sense of humility that captures you and takes you through your own trials and tribulations.... I say this as I sense that anyone sitting for this movie has some level of darkness to them.....

I will admit to being a fan of the Marvel series of movies and don't mind paying to see them - However, DC and Hollywood on the whole can learn a tremendous amount from OUSH; about creativity, raw story lines that allow for though of the end plot and all else that used to be beautiful about going to the movies....

OUSH is certainly not a re-boot and if there is a sequel; I will not attend, on principal...

A must see, in my honest opinion....

Long Live, Solar Flare.....

HighFive and Go Cubbies

A Superhero for the people

[thethomasjennings-14796 · 9/10 · 16 August 2018]

I really enjoyed this premiere when it debuted in LA. Its a totally different tale on your typical superhero movie and that sex scene blew my mind, its was out of this world. Check it out today and support this soon to be cult classic.

Super Zero

[michaelseanmcgowan · 1/10 · 24 June 2019]

There's a good idea behind this movie: a lone man claiming to be an exiled superhero shows up on Hollywood Boulevard. Is he for real? Is he a homeless man who has created for himself an intricate fantasy world? How will he interact with the other colorful facets of life that populate the Boulevard? What will he learn in the 189 days that the movie spans? These are intriguing questions that "Once Upon a Superhero" could have dealt with. Instead, it quadruples-down on directorial excess while leaving no time for anything like story or character development.

In simpler terms, this is a movie so far up its own ass it is giving itself a prostate exam.

The movie lets us know fairly quickly how much trouble we are in, because we're not even a minute in and we're given a long take of the main character's eye. Director John Kline has other tricks up his sleeve, and he's not going to let you walk away thinking he's afraid to throw every static take, lens flare, and camera effect in the book right on your lap. The movie is basically two hours of a man walking up and down the streets of L.A., but there's barely a moment that isn't assaulted by fancy edits and constant split screens. I'd hypothesize that the director would justify this by saying that this represent's Solar Flare's (our exiled superhero) fractured psyche, when all it really says is "Hey, I know how to use Final Cut Pro!"

The problem with this is that the movie is so crowded by gimmick it leaves its story completely malnourished. On his first day on the Boulevard Solar Flare encounters a stereotypical white rapper, a fake Mayan with prophecies of doomsday (the film is set in the days leading to the Mayan "apocalypse" of 2012). He meets a couple of threadbare self-styled heroes: Doc Compton (Ron Bush) and Captain Boulevard (Jason Hughes). And then... through the magic of an unintelligible mosaic montage the movie jumps 188 days to the supposed last day of Solar Flare's exile. That's right, all the meat that might have given anything in this movie purpose or meaning is just skipped over. After all, we have more screen wipes and jump cuts to get to!

If the first half of "Once Upon a Superhero" is baffling, the second half is downright interminable. It features Solar Flare again wandering around Los Angeles searching for his lost superpowers, all the while we get frequent time stamps to let us know that time is indeed progressing (after a while it becomes hard to tell). The movie's grim conclusion is undercut by relief at a narrative that is finally going somewhere after being jammed in "Manos: Hands of Fate" levels of neutral for the longest time. It may not be a happy ending, but any ending becomes welcome.

It's a shame, because as I said there are great ideas behind this film, but the movie can't stop getting in its own way with its own stylistic showboating. By the end we should be hanging on the question of whether Solar Flare's quest is literal or symbolic. Do we find out? No, but that isn't the worst part. The worst part is that by the end we just don't care.

A Super-Powered Breath of Fresh Air

[brians_fat · 10/10 · 23 August 2018]

In a world over saturated with super-powered content, it takes a work of tremendous heart to truly stand apart from such a crowd. Enter Solar Flare, star of John M. Kline's ONCE UPON A SUPERHERO to get this specialty job done. OUAS is a thought provoking indie feature that utilizes multiple mediums of visual storytelling to get its solemn and rather shocking narrative across to an audience. The story of a man trapped among an unfamiliar landscape, doing his best to do not only what he believes is right, but doing so against the grain of social norm. It's a tale all too close to many of us in one way or another. Sure, he's a superhero trying to prove his origins & existence within a crowd of Hollywood's professional impersonators, but this only aids in the plight crashing down upon him. In the end, this is a story reflecting the notions of vice, perseverance, mental health and at times, even parallels to the modern immigrant oppression crisis. This is a movie both ahead of its time and right where it needs to be all in one beautifully shot package. With a great soundtrack, wonderfully rendered illustrated segments and a absolutely outstanding performance by lead Adam Marcinowski, Once Upon a Superhero is a movie you cannot forget post-viewing and one that needs to be seen by many audiences over.

A decent low-budget film

[BeatBot3001 · 5/10 · 4 May 2019]

This film, though 30 mins too long, is very atmospheric and fun. The lead character is designed incredibly well, and his journey around the ghetto streets of Hollywood is at times outrageous and tragic. Awesome sound design as well.

Cinematic GOLD

[shojzoe · 10/10 · 4 December 2018]

Absolute pleasure to watch. Gripping and real, yet humorous and pleasant. Hats off to the cast and crew for a riveting performance and a keen artistic vision. John M Kline delivers!!

One word... INSANE!

[scottbaker-3 · 10/10 · 18 June 2018]

The film is incredible. It's hard to do it justice with words and not hyperbolize. It's a gritty, trippy, cinematic experience I won't soon forget. The editing and visual imagery are outstanding and remind me of films like Enter the Void. Not something to be missed.

EPIC Flick!

[mraaronb · 10/10 · 5 July 2018]

Once Upon A Superhero is one EPIC flick! I was on the edge of my seat during so many parts of the film. I totally forgot about my buttery popcorn that was sitting in my lap. You really go on a journey with this superhero. If you ever have lived in Hollywood you'll know there's a Solar Flare in all of us!

Indie Cinema at its Finest

[billbonfanti · 10/10 · 26 February 2019]

Wow! This is one hell of a movie. Weird, trippy and brilliant, Once Upon a Superhero is truly one of the very best independent films I've ever seen. I don't want to give anything away but this is a terrific story, told in a bold, beautiful way. The writing, directing and acting is terrific but the most impressive thing about the film is that it looks like it cost millions to produce while the reality is that the film was made for almost nothing. The film should serve as inspiration to any and all guerilla filmmakers. Truly astonishing. Once Upon a Superhero was clearly a labor of love and it shows in every frame of the film. It is important to know going into this film that it is not your typical superhero tale. This is like a Marvel or DC film on LSD. I can't recommend this film enough and can not wait to see what the future holds for these super talented filmmakers.

A movie you will talk about for a long time.

[auldee · 10/10 · 24 February 2019]

I dont know about you but it seems as if Hollywood has forgotten about ART or how to tell a story. As an actor myself I have had the pleasure of being in some Indy films and watched true are being filmed. But I had longed for something to stimulate me and really mess with my head and make me think. "Once upon a superhero" did this for me. Once the movie starts you cant take your eyes off it, it holds you captive between the stories within the main story, and the beautiful way in which it was filmed. I think a compliment to any piece of art is that is it discussed for days after viewing it. The answer is simple. Yes. This film is still screwing with my head in all the right reasons. Brilliant work.

Art House lovers delight!

[samuelgahleger · 9/10 · 2 July 2019]

What a great show this was. I see some other people pointing out the length of the film which I think comes from these ADD big budget crappy Hollywood movies. Once Upon a Superhero delivered the goods in ways I was not adequately prepared for. Sometimes it made me laugh, sometimes it made me squirm in my seat and sometimes it made me sad for our humanity. This is a must see for true lovers of cinema on the big screen

An absolute must see

[sybo-31914 · 9/10 · 24 September 2018]

I saw this movie last night in Edmonton Canada. I felt taken on a ride like no other. No complacency or hollywoodish gimmickery when addressing subjects that nine times out of ten are not well portrayed in cinema, ie: addiction, sexualité, mental health. Amazing work of art.

Trippy & Raw!

[yarazz40 · 10/10 · 26 June 2018]

Great film, great concept! Awesome imagery that takes you on a real journey into the depths of the mind and soul! This is definitely not your ordinary Superhero Movie!

An Insane Wild Ride

[georgebmoise · 10/10 · 5 July 2018]

Within 10 minutes I knew this movie was unique and different. The writer/director John Kline as woven a strange a darkly beautiful tale about an outsider that may or may not be an alien. And because Kline is ambiguous he allows you to participate in the film as opposed to being force fed everything like most films. The performances were great, the costumes looked awesome and the look and tone reminds me of something from 'Under the Skin' which I loved. I think we have a new great filmmaker on our hands and I'm excited to see what John Kline does next!

Epic Screening in Denver!

[dane-89157 · 10/10 · 4 March 2019]

The producers had a screening of Once Upon A Superhero in Denver, CO on a Loopr Cannabis Bus Tour with 17 screens and a state of the art sound system. This film is more than just a movie, it was an experience I'll never forget. The Loopr Bus was a capsule of insane visuals (quality cinematography and psychedelic montages) and an incredible soundtrack that reverberated throughout the bus.

This art-house film is nothing you'll find in a traditional theatre made by Hollywood. This film has some sequences I'll never forget.

Ending Still in my mind

[andrewgmiller · 10/10 · 9 February 2019]

What a ride that movie was! After hearing about it for quite some time but still not knowing too much about it I was and still am blown away by the production value and originality. This movie needs to be everywhere for people to experience for themselves

Fantastic Movie

[Ecpsychede · 10/10 · 4 July 2018]

Extraordinarily good, Great Concept with unexpected twists and turns. Hoping to see Once upon A Super Hero 2 and a re-birthing of Solar Flare !!!

Left me with a speechless smile!

[aheimes · 8/10 · 11 January 2019]

The showing last night in Phoenix was a great experience. The movie ending left more questions than answers but the story was captivating from beginning to end. Not often can you walk away from watching a movie that is so hard to put into words and at the same time be so satisfied because the tragedy is overshadowed by the quality of the film. Watching Solar Flare be succumbed to the temptations of the streets while preserving his faith in the future was tortuousness. I wanted to yell at him and say "it's not real and it's not going to happen" while questioning myself "what the hell do you know?" Maybe he is a super hero...at least to some. Thank you for making me speechless with a smile on my face.

Psychedelic superhero film that will be a cult classic

[mjlpny · 10/10 · 4 March 2019]

Finally a superhero film unlike the typical Hollywood releases being shoved out monthly that are just fund raisers. This is a haunting trip that makes you wonder if we are denstined to destroy the human race. There are several scenes with incredible time lapse camera work and even a quick back story shown with animation. Strong acting making you laugh and also terrifying you. The ending really throws you a curve ball and will leave you shocked.

Captivating

[janetjohn-97395 · 9/10 · 14 August 2018]

From the moment I heard Solar Flare's deep voice to the unexpected ending I was perched at the edge of my seat for nearly 2 hours! While watching you think, who is Solar Flare supposed to be? Is he from the Sun with supreme powers or just another trying to make it in Hollywood? Delusional or Superbeing? Either way it is a great movie. Yes, even the second time around! I love the suspense the music takes us throughout the movie. Riveting! It brings out all the extremes whether it is a Mayan Indian - TeeTo, encouraging a virgin Solar Flare to drink/smoke or a strung out Captain Boulevard cheering him on to more and more 'blow, a sex scene with an overweight woman or Frankie, an innocent happy young girl trying to become a name in Hollywood. Loved Lil Boulevard! So much more....MC Deez, Comp Doc... just goes on and on. There are a few times when I had to close my eyes wishing the scene was over a bit quicker but that is more on a personal level. The cinematography in this film is outstanding. Can't wait for Once Upon a Superhero Two.

Innovative and Fascinating

[zona_yanks · 10/10 · 10 July 2018]

Burgeoning director John M. Kline gives a refreshing new look at American culture and our obsession with superheroes. Once Upon a Superhero was thoughtful and innovative, and included standout performances by Adam Marcinowski, Thomas Dekker and Ron Bush. With dazzling effects and breathtaking scenes, I was instantly transported into a world where all of our days are numbered, and nothing is as it seems.

"Superhero" soars with Fantasy in The Real World

[pdtv-46006 · 10/10 · 28 May 2019]

Sitting down to watch this film for the first time I had no idea what to expect. Once Upon A Superhero is more than just a fantasy comic book story. It has a heart of reality that will make you laugh, cry, cringe, and make you think about life in general. It's also a movie that you want to watch more than once because it's that interesting.

Wow... The Dramatic Ending...

[caliphil007 · 10/10 · 9 July 2018]

Prior to watching this movie, I thought this was going to be your typical super hero marvel type of films, where the superhero comes saves the world from the antagonist who tries to destroy the world. Well, not at all!

The movie takes you to the real streets of Hollywood infested with Hookers, drugs, hustlers, pimps other bottom feeders of society. No gltiz or glam here! Solar Flare is out on a mission and throughout the movie he gets misguided by lies, vices and temptation. The acting was amazing, characters in the movie were all unique and eccentric, to me it added more humor to the film, the costumes looked cool. The ending of this movie was a huge surprise.... will leave you questioning!! Mainstream Hollywood is running out of ideas and feeding us trash, they need to hire this director and the producer behind this movie to give them better ideas!

Total mind-bender & Ingenious

[motuili · 10/10 · 15 August 2018]

I've been waiting for a not so typical superhero movie and found it viewing Once Upon a Superhero. It catches you from the beginning letting you know this actually has an unusual story line for a superhero keeping you entertained with great characters and scenes. Some of my favorite characters in the movie were of course Solar Flare, Doc Compton & Capt Boulevard and their were others can't recall. I highly recommend you watch it. I would tell you more, but don't want to ruin the epic ending for you!