I Am Joe is a 2016 American independent action-thriller film directed by Pedro Baron and starring Laurent Malaquais, Kari Alison Hodge, and Erik Amin. The movie showcases themes of power, control, and dystopian society. The protagonist, Joe, played by Laurent Malaquais, is a seemingly ordinary man living a mundane life in a world where technology is the omnipotent force controlling everything, including people's daily activities. Joe is a delivery man, and one day, while he is out doing his rounds, he stumbles upon a young girl who is being abducted by a group of thugs. Upon witnessing the incident, Joe is immediately filled with a sense of responsibility and decides to take matters into his own hands to save the girl.
However, things become murky when Joe discovers that the girl, Lisa, played by Kari Alison Hodge, is not an ordinary person. In fact, she is a genetically engineered being with incredible abilities that make her a target for a shadowy organization set on exploiting the power she possesses.
The plot thickens as Joe realizes that he too has unique abilities that he was unaware of before. After coming to terms with his strengths, he and Lisa set out on a mission to take down the infamous organization and bring them to justice.
Throughout the movie, there are several moments where Joe questions whether his actions are the right thing to do or not. His internal conflict is palpable, and his loyalty to doing what he believes is right makes him an admirable character.
The movie's themes of control and power are highlighted through the portrayal of a dystopian society where technology is the dominant force. The characters in the film are at the mercy of the technology around them, serving as a reminder of how our reliance on machines and devices can easily turn into something far more sinister.
The acting in I Am Joe is top-notch, with Laurent Malaquais giving a powerful performance as the film's lead character. Kari Alison Hodge also impresses with her portrayal of Lisa, bringing depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.
The cinematography and visual effects in the movie are stunning. The scenes where Joe showcases his unique abilities are particularly well done, with the camera work and effects adding to the overall impact of the movie.
Despite the movie's somewhat cliched plot, I Am Joe manages to keep viewers engaged with its fast-paced action sequences and powerful performances. The film leaves audiences with plenty to think about regarding the use of technology in our society and the danger that arises when it is used for nefarious purposes.
Overall, I Am Joe is an engaging, thought-provoking movie that will appeal to fans of dystopian science fiction and action-thriller genres. It's a solid independent film that deserves more recognition, and Pedro Baron and his team should be commended for bringing their vision to life on the big screen.
I Am Joe is a 2016 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.
