Turbo Kid (2015) is a post-apocalyptic science-fiction action movie set in 1997. It takes place in the abnormal world of Wasteland, where an evil overlord controls the water supply. The purpose of this Turbo Kid movie review is to uncover the film’s Greek myth associations.
The film follows the story of a teenage comic book enthusiast known as The Kid, played by Munro Chambers. Yep, the guy who plays the good doctor in The Good Doctor TV series.
The Kid navigates a dangerous wasteland world in the Turbo Kid movie. He rides his BMX bike and wears a turbo-powered suit after the world has been stripped of natural resources by an event called “The Great War.”
Beneath its brutal setting, Turbo Kid is a movie that grapples with several themes, including heroism, redemption, and Greek mythology.
Turbo Kid Movie Review: Greek Myth Focus
In the movie, the character of Zeus is played by Michael Ironside, who is the main antagonist of the film. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, he’s the bad guy in Total Recall (1990), the classic action, adventure, sci-fi film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
You may want to check out: 14 Greek Myth Sci-Fi Movies like The Matrix explained if you want to know more about Total Recall and Turbo Kid.
The character Zeus is the ruler of the Wasteland, and he is portrayed as a horrific, violent, and brutal person determined to take control of everything that exists in the region. In Turbo Kid, you could say that Zeus is an anti-representation of the top Olympian God.
Zeus in the Turbo Kid movie
In Greek mythology, Zeus is a strong-willed and sometimes violent God. He is also the king of all the other Gods. This connection is made even more apparent in the film, where we see Zeus controlling the vast Wasteland, just like how Zeus controlled Mount Olympus in Greek mythology, however in a vastly different way.
The character’s violent actions towards the innocent people of Wasteland can also be seen as a representation of Zeus’ wrath in some Greek mythology stories.
A Post-Apocalyptic Film
The film is inspired by various post-apocalyptic movies and comic book genres and takes on the themes of good and evil.
The director of the film used several techniques, including practical effects, a distinct color palette, and memorable musical moments, to produce a movie that is nostalgic and 1980s-inspired with a great blend of horror, action, and adventure.
Power of Turbo Kid
The main character, The Kid, is on a quest to save the people of Wasteland. The Kid is initially reluctant, but he ultimately becomes the hero of the story, embodying the Greek hero archetype.
The Kid’s triumph over adversity makes him a symbol of Greek mythological heroes who fought the odds and emerged victorious.
Turbo Kid: Greek Myth Symbolism
The film uses bicycles and symbolic signs that bring to mind the Olympian Gods. Here, we can see The Kid riding his BMX bike past a huge Olympus sign on the wall.
Turbo Kid Versus Skeletron: Good versus Evil
One of the evil characters in Turbo Kid is a BMX rider going by the name Skeletron.
Apple in Turbo Kid
The Kid’s love interest, Apple, is played by Laurence Leboeuf. She is another character that has a direct connection to Greek mythology.
In the film, Apple’s kindness and devotion to The Kid can be seen as a representation of the Greek Goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite.
Turbo Kid (2015) Movie Trailer
You have to watch Turbo Kid if you’re a fan of post-apocalyptic action movies. Take a look at the Turbo Kid movie trailer to determine if it piques your interest.
Turbo Kid Movie Review Conclusion
Turbo Kid (2015) will blast you into the post-apocalyptic wasteland with a bang as this electrifying movie blends retro-80s nostalgia with cutting-edge themes to create a one-of-a-kind film you definitely won’t ever forget seeing.
The film, directed by François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell, weaves in nods to Greek mythology, creating a tapestry of clever character archetypes and symbolic visuals. Through themes of heroism, love, tragedy, and redemption, Turbo Kid connects with the timeless stories of ancient Greece, elevating the movie to a heroic bizarre epic.
Through Turbo Kid, we see that even in a world of chaos and destruction, it’s still possible to find hope, humanity, and a radical BMX-bike-riding superhero.
I highly recommend watching Turbo Kid if you haven’t seen the film before. I give the move a rating of 6.5 out of 10. When I checked after to find what the rating was on the IMDb website, from 29,000 reviews, Turbo Kid had a rating average of 6.7.
It’s a good movie, so check it out.
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