From action figure to movie star
Based on a series of action figures — envision a sci-fi version of G.I. Joe — Max Steel has appeared in TV series, direct-to-video releases and a video game. Now he — it's actually as much of an "it" or even a "them"— is making the jump to movie theaters in the aptly named "Max Steel" (PG-13, in wide release). The title figure is a merger of two entities: a teenager named Max (played by Ben Winchell) and an alien named Steel (voiced by Josh Brener). Together, they become a turbocharged superhero. It's not entirely clear what the plot is — the movie wasn't screened in advance, and the online trailer doesn't provide much help — but it seems certain that Max and Steel will have to join forces to save the world or the universe or life as we know it from some really, really bad guys and/or aliens. The stakes are high; if they fail, there won't be a sequel.
Jeff Strickler
