Enhanced is a Frankenstein's monster of a movie. The premise revolves around a group of government agents who track down X-Men-like individuals whose enhanced abilities supposedly make them a danger to the public. Unfortunately, that's not the only threat these super-powered outcasts face; they're also being hunted and killed by one of their own, and -- similar to Heroes villain Sylar -- every time this deadly being takes the life of another enhanced person, he increases his already-remarkable powers. With a plot reminiscent of Universal Soldier, The One and even the TV show Dark Angel, Enhanced is far from unique in concept or story, however, with its exciting action sequences and well-executed set pieces, it nonetheless manages to be an entertaining B-movie.
Enhanced focuses on Anna (Alanna Bale), an escapee from a government program that created super-powered individuals in order to use them as weapons. Anna is attempting to live a quiet life and stay off the government's radar, but when she uses her powers to protect her boss, the elite military unit tasked with rounding her and her fellow mutants up is alerted to her location. That team is headed by George Shepherd (George Tchortov), a soldier who's recently started to question if the enhanced individuals he's bringing in are really the barely human assassins he's been told they are.
George's understanding of his mission is further tested when David (Chris Mark), an alpha mutant, saves Anna from George's team and kidnaps George, ultimately leading Anna to defend George against David's aggressive interrogation. Anna quickly learns that David wants to kill her just as much as he does George, although in Anna's case, his goal is to absorb her powers to further enhance himself. This results in George and Anna teaming up to take David down even as David proves to be so powerful, no matter what obstacles stand in his way, he just keeps coming, Terminator-style.
While the film is a hodgepodge of familiar sci-fi tropes and ideas, director and co-writer James Mark keeps things moving along at a brisk enough pace to maintain suspense. What really stands out, though, are the rousing fight scenes, which Mark, who's also a stunt coordinator, shoots with particular dexterity. The scenes of hand-to-hand combat between David and groups of soldiers or fellow enhanced individuals are especially thrilling, although there are fewer of them than might be expected. Of course, this is an indie film, and the budget may have had a role in dictating how many stunt sequences and special effects could be included. Still, their glowing blue eyes and blue electricity crackling over the mutants' skin is more than enough to concisely indicate the activation of their powers.
Those familiar with James Mark's 2017 film Kill Order may wonder if Enhanced is a sequel given the two movies share more than a few things in common, including a super-powered character named David played by Chris Mark (James' brother as well as a fellow stuntman). However, while the new film may take place in a similar universe, it's more like a remix than a continuation of Kill Order. As a result, the plot of Enhanced is more than capable of standing on its own.
Enhanced is certainly derivative but it's also good escapist fun, even if it's the kind of film you'd be more likely to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon at home than in a theater. So while it may not add anything new to the sci-fi action genre it borrows so heavily from and is less than remarkable for it, if you're looking for an amusing, action-filled diversion that won't make you think too hard, Enhanced is a solid option.
Enhanced directed by James Mark and starring Alanna Bale, George Tchortov, Chris Mark, Adrian Holmes, Eric Hicks, Michael J. Delaney and Patrick Sabongui, is available on Video on Demand on Friday, March 26.