Checked out the new superhero comedy Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, starring YouTube stars Grace Helbig and Hanna Hart. Based on a Syd and Marty Croft show I barely remember from the 70s, this is a marginally amusing comedy that aims low and hits its target. I like the two gals playing the leads; they are amusing personalities online and I get the feeling they were geeked to be in a movie based on a show they might have enjoyed as kids.
This movie went direct to video/streaming and I caught it now that it’s available for rent on iTunes.
The big problem with the movie is that it tells a generic story in a generic way. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl are power-less superheroes who move out to California to make it big (which includes endorsement deals and commercials). One of them buys into the shallow Hollywood lifestyle, the other does not, they have argue, they break up, one learns a valuable life lesson, etc.
It’s an old story done without any twist other than they are superheroes but they barely do anything with that. They make two meta-references to their movie’s plot but then don’t follow-up (unlike, for example, Wayne’s World which has the same premise but knows how cliche it is and plays with it). So, yeah, just the same old story, not made any better by its superhero twist.
The only thing that keeps this above water is the personalities of Helbig and Hart. They are charming and funny – but they are stuck in a script that is not. Only so much they can do. Not being familiar enough with the original show, I can only judge it for what it is. I can’t bring in nostalgia or notice references that might enliven the flick.
Score: 66