The 2015 film “Turbo Kid” is a post-apocalyptic action comedy set in a dystopian future. The film tells the story of a young boy known as Turbo Kid who lives in a desolate desert landscape. He is an avid collector of comic books and dreams of being a real superhero.
One day Turbo Kid meets a mysterious young woman named Apple, who quickly becomes his ally and friend. Together they must fight off the tyrannical leader Zeus and his army of henchmen. In the process, they benefit from their unexpected superhero powers, which Turbo Kid has developed due to his intense comic book knowledge.
What sets “Turbo Kid” apart from other post-apocalyptic films are the absurd and lunatic ideas built into the plot. The makers of the film do not take themselves too seriously and rely on a mixture of violence, humour and nostalgia. One of the craziest ideas is certainly the use of bicycles as the main means of transport in this future world. Instead of using cars or motorbikes, the characters ride around on modified bicycles equipped with weapons.
Another crazy element of the film is the characters themselves. Zeus, the tyrannical leader, wears a strange metal mask and has a penchant for theatrical villainy. Apple, Turbo Kid’s companion, is a naïve and lovable girl with a somewhat peculiar fondness for pink clothes and sunflowers. The portrayal of these characters adds an extra dose of whimsy to the film and makes for unexpected comic moments.
The action sequences in “Turbo Kid” are also impressive. They are bloody and brutal, but presented in an exaggerated and humorous way. The violence is often spiced with a pinch of black humour, making the film a mixture of splatter and comedy.
