Max Cloud – A Ridiculously-Dated Cringe Fest

Every once in a while, there are films that in spite of being arguably bad, they still possess redeeming qualities that at least make it somewhat entertaining. When it comes to Max Cloud or The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud, this was certainly not the case though some may see it as otherwise. There’s one thing about filmmakers intentionally making a film that is bad as some sort of artistic choice and while this appeared to be the case here, it’s hard to get behind that choice as the film is just plain bad. Nevertheless, the film is likely to bring up feelings of nostalgia for some audiences as its take on the early 1990s and early 1990s video game culture will bring back some memories. Perhaps that take will be a redeeming factor. However, this doesn’t quite make up for the fact that the film was just so painful to watch. With a running time clocking in at under 90 minutes, at least that pain will subside relatively quickly.

When dealing with a film like Max Cloud, the story is essentially irrelevant. Trying to understand or make sense of it is futile so it’s best to just let the craziness envelop. Basically, it’s all about the video game world where the majority of the film takes place. Sarah (Allen), a video game fan, found herself trapped in the world with the aforementioned Max Cloud (Adkins). The only way to get out was to complete the game. Helping was her best friend Cowboy (Drameh) who was controlling the game. While the main plot doesn’t make any sense or mattered all that much, don’t expect the plot within the plot to make any sense or matter either. Viewers can expect a generic and derivative 90s action/sci fi video game plot. Appropriately or not, the same dated plot is accompanied by equally dated special effects, music, and cringeworthy quippy dialog, all tied together by bad cinematography. Meanwhile, the real world plot was just as silly though more dull in comparison.

As far as most viewers are concerned, the reason to keep watching Max Cloud is to see how much worse it can get because most are sure to tune out the plot fairly quickly (despite the end being a predictable one). The characters are ridiculous, the action is ridiculous, but there’s just something about watching Adkins in action scenes as the action star holds his own here. It’s just a shame that the film couldn’t even do those right. In the end, he was definitely at his best whenever he didn’t speak because his lines had to be the most awful. Though the dialog didn’t do anyone any favors as a whole, the other performances from Allen and Drameh were okay while others such as Lashana Lynch as Shee, John Hannah as Revengor, and Tommy Flanagan as Brock Donnelly embraced the campiness of their respective roles.

At the end of the day, Max Cloud is no masterpiece by any means which will mean different things to different audiences but they should be aware of what they are going into.

still courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.