Argemaluco Even though Russian fantastic cinema includes a pair of famous movies (Battle Beyond the Stars and the original Solaris), I think that it had never had a horror or sci-fi blockbuster until the release of Night Watch, whose bizarre combination of vampire mythology, metamorphic creatures and X-Files-like investigators transcended frontiers and found fans around the world (including me). I liked the sequel of that film, called Day Watch, even more, and it confirmed Russia as a legitimate contender of modern fantastic cinema, with first-class special effects, solid production resources and style endorsed by narrative substance. Following the steps of those hits from Russian fantastic cinema, Black Lightning is a super-hero tale more accessible than Night Watch and Day Watch, but also more generic and predictable. However, that does not avoid it from being entertaining.The solid direction, along with the generally well structured screenplay from Black Lightning, were the main reasons why I had a good time while watching this film. Besides, the simple visual spectacle of the flying car is magnificently represented by the special effects studio Asymmetric VFX.Now, I have to mention some negative aspects from Black Lightning. To start with, the performances feel a bit bland. The humor from the screenplay occasionally consists on failed irony. And finally, the screenplay gets excessively complicated near the ending, giving the villain an illogical and not very credible motivation; what the hell would be the point of destroying...? Well, I am not going to get into the "spoilers" field. I guess that this is one of those villains who put evilness before the common sense.Nevertheless, I think Black Lightning deserves a moderate recommendation if you wanna see a different interpretation of the subjects from the super-hero cinema than the one we are accustomed to see.

dbborroughs Mad Russian/mafiosa/college professor is convinced there is a vein of diamonds under Moscow, but in order to reach it he must risk destroying the city. Unfortunately he needs some of the nano power that his scientists had been trying to harness. Somehow the technology was attached to a car which is given to a young college kid by his dad. In true fashion the kid doesn't completely appreciate his dad until the bad guys kill him (ala Uncle Ben) and he turns to crime fighting using his flying car to fight bad guys.Odd ball re-imagining of Spiderman but with a super car instead of super powers. It's not bad, far from it, it's just that it just misses being great- the main problem being that it's lift so much of the plots major elements from Spiderman and other superheroes.I liked it a great deal, but at the same time I really wish it was just a tad more original.

ssvfolder-1 When I finally got around to see this movie, I was expecting something decent, because of it's high budget, and nice trailer, I must say I was disappointed. It was too ridiculous in so many ways. I would like to elaborate on some scenes and the acting. The good: Special effects. Nice graphics, It's Bekmabetov third movie (night watch, wanted) with cars making acrobatic skills. It became his trade mark. The mediocre: General Story. If we compare spider man and this one the only difference will be instead of spider bite, it's Old secret soviet technology. The mediocre: Acting. There are few different schools of acting. Russian definitely differs from the one in Hollywood. I think it'll look quite not real for people used to Hollywood movies and it was too weak. The bad: various scenes in the story. Truly, in few parts I actually felt my intelligence was in serious danger. Flying into space and not burning up, nor obvious visible lack of air. Immediate control of flying cars on level which can possibly be achieved by advanced computer in a distant future. Sheep like behavior of people during ENTIRE movie (that is just the bad acting). The hero had a lot of time to climb out of car, climb into the car, destroy walls and all without a scratch. Finally, flying with device of power much greater than nuclear, and nothing - this one made me laugh for some reason. I can go on for a long time... In any case, this was very ridiculous, but I've seen worse. Watch it just for special effects. They are nice.

kal07 Saw the trailer a while back and thought it was cool. Watched the film today and it still is cool for a low budget Russian film. The film lacks originality, look at it as Spiderman with a flying car(Volga to be specific) and a few bits of Iron Man action added towards the end. The story is pretty much Spiderman. But if you can look beyond those points it is enjoyable. On the upside, all the unknowns did a good job especially the lead actor and the lovely leading lady. The CGI was above average taking into account the low budget of the film. Overall it was cool to watch and enjoyable to a fair degree, had the story been more original I would've rated it higher. 6.4/10 Definitely not bad.