Mirageman

Sometimes when you set your expectations too high you wind up being let down. I watched Kiltro a while back and I was impressed by star Marko Zaror but somewhat disappointed by the film itself. Not this time around; Mirageman is the movie I was hoping Kiltro would be.

The credit isn't entirely due to Marko Zaror (although he's very impressive as Mirageman)—I believe director Ernesto Díaz Espinoza has really started to find his footing with this film. Mirageman isn't perfect, but both the direction and Marko Zaror seem leaner and looser this time around. The film feels like a throwback to an action flick from the 70's, in a good way. Can you dig it?

Maco (Zaror) is a young man whose parents were killed in an armed robbery; his younger brother is in a mental hospital, unable to recovery from the trauma of their deaths. Maco is obviously damaged by the incident as well; when he's not working as a bouncer, he spends his time on a brutal training regimen. Working out, practicing martial arts, counting every calorie, and living alone.

One night he happens across an assault and robbery and uses his skills to stop it. Not wanting to be recognized, he dons one of the robbers masks and takes them out. One of the victims happens to be a TV reporter, and she reports on the incident. The idea for the vigilante hero Mirageman is born in Maco's mind.

What makes Mirageman different from most superhero films is its refreshingly honest portrayal of what a regular guy might go through if he decided to be a superhero.  At times it's hilarious; watching Maco try to figure out how to change into his costume in public to stop a robbery, for example.  At other times it's actually touching. Maco isn't super-smart, or super-rich, or super-tough; he doesn't always win. The movie has some very dark threads interwined with the funny parts.

I am extremely happy to say that my complaints about Marko Zaror's fight scenes in Kiltro are not repeated in Mirageman. Zaror is allowed to fight without a lot of editing and special effects, and this guy can throw down with the best of them. There are some good one on one fights and some excellent gang fights, along with some running chase fight sequences. There are plenty of martial arts battles and I was left wanting more.

If you like martial arts movies or superhero movies this one comes highly recommended. It deals with the subject of heroism and vigilatism on a very human level; it's impressive that it manages to be both humorous and tragic while handing out some great asskicking. It's been quite a year for superhero films, and even though it's a small indie film Mirageman is one of the better superhero movies I've seen. And Pseudo-Robin has the best sidekick fight scene of all time.