Review by Jon Donnis
Turbo Cola is set right before the millennium in 1999, a time I remember well. The film starts with a TV report talking about what the 21st Century will bring, and straight away for those old enough, you get a feeling of nostalgia and a hope that this film will take you back to forgotten time before Smart Phones and Social Media.
Austin, (played by Nicholas Stoesser) works at the Quality Mart gas station, he has decided he wants to rob the ATM there, and along with his friend Swearsky, (played by Jared Spears), they start to plan how they are going to do it. Austin talks about his dream of moving to New York for Mary Jane, (played by Jordyn Denning) who will start University there soon. Because they plan to rob the ATM on NYE of the Millenium, it means they are going to miss the party of a lifetime.
Sadly, if you were hoping for something of a buddy heist film, or a teenage comedy, you will be sorely disappointed. The film fails on both fronts.
The whole film pretty much takes place in the gas station, characters come and go, and we have something of a coming-of-age story, the problem is everything is just so dull for way too long.
The climax of the film is well done, but to get there you have to try to stay awake for nearly an hour, and this is a huge problem, by the time the film gets any good, you have lost all interest.
The film fails due to its budget, and dull writing.
The Good
The set up at the start is great, the last 20 minutes are decent. The actors do the best with what they are given, and the Gas Station looks the part.
The Bad
Everything in between the setup and the end. It is just so dull. Nothing grabs your attention, and you will not care about the characters.
Overall
90 minutes I won't get back. Just a dull film. If you can see it for free, maybe you will find something in it that I missed.
But the film just wasn't for me, when really, I am the perfect age for the viewer, that this film should be aiming for.
I score Turbo Cola a poor 3/10
Out Now on Digital.
