Powder (1995)

Admirable film.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Another movie created from a sure-to-succeed formula. Take a kid who does not fit the mold (albino), make a bunch of idiots dislike him, give him super-powers and an exceptional IQ (though he never displays it), play lots of tear-jerk music, etc., etc. Bingo…a hit! It would have been an even bigger hit if there were shooting, blood, a car chase, pointless sex scenes, big hooters, and an alien. Are moviegoers this simple minded or have movie studios trained us to appreciate slop? I suppose if all one has ever eaten is porridge, a basic burger is wonderful. This movie was not close to being a basic burger. It might be a stale bun. The kid's "super-power" was that he was a semi-telepathic super-magnet. Hope that does not ruin the movie for you. It should not...the movie was a ruin from the get-go. The end was as sappy as the movie, so at least it was consistent. Yuck.

The movie is not that bad when you watch it with a blind eye. However, Disney will no longer be supported by me or any of my family after I found out the God awful truth about the director of this movie, and how Disney has betrayed the life blood of their business. Everyone knew Disney was one of the first major corporations to strongly support gay rights as far back as the 80's. By the 90's they were honoring gay unions for employees. Honestly, that's fine. Its their company and they can do whatever they please. But I think they committed the cardinal sin of "looking over" things about employees that NEVER should be done. Disney "tried" to claim they didn't know about Victor Silva's past and him conviction of child molestation. What made it especially bad is that is was done to a child actor while he was making the movie! Honestly, how does Disney not see this as a problem?! They make movies for KIDS for crying out loud! Silva is gay and I think that blinded Disney into looking over the molestation. I personally think there is a lot of "looking over" as it pertains to the gay community, but that's just me. However, making a man rich who is obviously a total scumbag goes beyond the pale. Don't watch this movie. Send a message to Disney and to others that this kind of "support" cannot be tolerated!

Powder was just a baby when his mom died. While giving birth she was struck by lightning and died on the operating table. The baby survived, but the dad, seeing that the baby is albino (a lack of pigment in hair, eyes and skin tone), he becomes disgusted and leaves the baby with its grandparents. Powder grows up isolated from most human contact; his world is in the classic novels he's memorized over the years. Soon he is found and sent away as a teen to a school for boys. They think he is weird because of his appearance and they constantly make fun of him and bully him. However, he shows a few people in the rural New England town that they shouldn't judge a person by appearance; he shows them the good in his powers and in himself. This film has great soundtrack, an amazing plot and a lesson anyone can carry with them their whole life: don't judge a person by race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or morals; judge them based on their actions. The ending of the film was absolutely breathtaking, a beautiful scene. I hope Powder s left alone and never remade with CGI, because its a classic that will be loved among viewers for a long time.

In my opinion, Powder is one of the best movies ever made in regards to its message. It deals with the ridiculousness of prejudice, bigotry, false judgements, animal cruelty, love of nature, love of mankind, love of life, and love of your fellow man. This movie is filled with love, IF, and I say IF you can "see" it. It is right in front of you. All you have to do, is really "watch" and "listen" to the movie.The acting is excellent. The music is excellent. The story is excellent and easy to follow. Cinematography is excellent. Directing is excellent also. It is a true winner.I wish more movies like this were being made. The world needs them, especially in this day and age..