Movie Review: Electric Man

By Less Lee Moore

Electric Man, a Scottish comedy out on VOD today, explores the world of comic book fans with one eye on comedy and another on the caper film. If that sounds like a strange combination to you, you’d be right, but the clever writing, genuinely funny dialogue, and endearing cast of the film make it work.

Electric Man deals with a rare first edition of the titular comic and how its value comes to signify different things to very different people. Jason (Jazz) and Wolf, owners of Deadhead Comics, are at the center of a cast of characters including a surly bald man who may or may not be a murderer; a mysterious, leggy redhead with glasses; and a comic collector who believes he’s Electric Man himself.

No doubt there are a handful of jokes that only Scots will understand, but the writing in Electric Man is frequently laugh out loud hilarious and the actors have not only terrific comic timing but also great chemistry.

There are witty references to both the world of movies and that of comic books, plus at least one absurd, seemingly throwaway bit whose payoff comes at the end. The plot might seem a bit too complex for such a genially paced film, but be patient, because it all ties together beautifully, with a few surprises along the way.

Although the indoor scenes in Electric Man are enjoyable enough from a visual perspective, the look of the film becomes truly impressive when it takes advantage of the stunning scenery in Edinburgh, particularly a shot of the mountains in the background and another that takes place on a curved street with a car in the foreground. There’s even a chase scene with a bicycle that is jaw-droppingly cool.

If you like comic books and well-written, charming comedies that aren’t predictable, Electric Man is a movie to check out.

Electric Man is available now on VOD. For more, check out the film’s official website.