Line #66 Film/TurboKid


1	[[quoteright:269:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1032_1200x1200x80_turbo_kid_poster.jpg]]
2	->''"This is the future. This is the year 1997..."''
3	-->-- '''Fredrick's opening narration'''
4
5	''Turbo Kid'' is a 2015 Canadian/New Zealand film starring Creator/MunroChambers and Creator/MichaelIronside that's best described as ''Film/MadMax'' [[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]] ''Film/BMXBandits''.
6
7	It's AfterTheEnd (in [[{{Zeerust}} 1997]]), and nuclear winter has left the land as barren and cold as Canada. Water is a scarce commodity, people scavenge just to survive, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking BMX bikes are the chosen method of transportation]]. In this world lives a [[NoNameGiven nameless]], comic-book-loving yet streetwise youth and a hard-boiled "cowboy" named Fredrick the Arm Wrestler...
8
9	It's based on a short film by the name of "T is for Turbo", one of the potential entries for the "T" segment of ''Film/TheABCsOfDeath'' (watch the segment [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBL0vPheNwM here]]). Suffice to say that TheMovie has [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism a much more positive take on its story]].
10
11	A {{Prequel}} ComicBook series, ''Turbo Kid: Apples Lost Adventure'' began 2021.
12
13	Outerminds [[https://youtu.be/32DUov46uho developed a]] retro-pixel {{Metroidvania}} ''Turbo Kid'' game for 2022.
14
15	A sequel [[http://www.horror-movies.ca/2016/09/dust-off-bmx-turbo-kid-2-confirmed/ is in preparation]], starting [[ImmediateSequel just after the events of the first movie]].
16	----
17	!! The film contains examples of the following tropes:
18	* AIIsACrapshoot:
19	** In the case of [[spoiler:Zeus]] who dynamically went on to [[ForTheEvulz slaughter or enthrall]] as many innocent/evil humans as he could since the end times. And all because the guy he was built after told him "[[{{WhatMeasureIsANonHuman}} you're only a robot]]".
20	** Invoked literally by [[spoiler:Apple]] when the Kid says he thought all robots were evil:
21	--->''"Depends on the model."''
22	* AnAesop: The film may seem like a shallow exploitation parody, but the story is based around the idea that in times of need and desperation people can draw a sense of hope and positive lessons from an idea of the past while rejecting its horrors and mistakes, [[spoiler:as shown by Turbo Kid taking on the long-forgotten fallen hero Turbo Rider's persona]].
23	* AbandonedArea: The setting of the movie, being post-apocalyptic and all. Zeus' fortress for example is an abandoned swimming-pool.
24	* AbnormalAmmo: TheDragon has an ArmCannon that launches circular saws like Frisbees.
25	* AdaptationalHeroism: Turbo Kid in TheMovie, as opposed to the original short. Also ''heavily'' implied as the backstory with the [[spoiler: real Turbo Rider. The comics are established to have been marketed as propaganda pieces during the devastating earth-shattering war, so it's left unsure as to whether Turbo Rider was the hero he's portrayed as]].
26	* AffectionateParody: Of ''Film/MadMax'' and retro video games, with some SuperheroTropes thrown in.
27	* AlmostKiss: Before they finally do in the end, the Kid and Apple almost kiss twice before being interrupted, the first time when Apple gets captured, the second when she pukes on him.
28	* AttackAttackAttack: Zeus' henchmen will continue to attack the heroes head-on no matter what, even after the Kid starts blowing them up one by one.
29	* AwesomeAussie: Fredrick the arm-wrestler.
30	* BaitAndSwitch: When the Kid realizes that Apple is [[spoiler:a robot]], she starts walking toward him and reaching out for him with a crazed expression. Then she "tags" him and runs away laughing.
31	* {{Bathos}}: Villainous wasteland warriors all riding around in sweet BMX bikes sized for adolescents.
32	* BigBad: Zeus, the local overlord who kidnaps people [[spoiler:for the water in their bodies]].
33	* BigDamnHeroes: [[spoiler:In the climax, Apple rescues the Kid by bicycling into Zeus's girlfriend and impaling her on a unicorn hobby horse]].
34	* BigNo: The Kid when [[spoiler:Zeus shoots Apple. The first time.]]
35	* BloodyHilarious: A lot of the humor involves cartoonishly bloody violence.
36	* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Apple is dead (for good this time) and the Kid is alone once more. However, during the final battle the Kid discovered a fresh, clean water source that will save countless lives and hopefully allow some semblance of civilization to evolve again. The Kid is also journeying across the Wasteland to where Apple came from, so maybe he'll find new robot friends]].
37	* CallBack: "Then let's make it memorable!"
38	* ChekhovsGun: The small tin of View-Master reels the Kid's parents gave him before their demise in the flashback ended up [[PocketProtector saving his life]].
39	* CloudCuckoolander: Apple is childlike and displays unnervingly DissonantSerenity in spite of living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. It's revealed that this is because [[spoiler:she's a robot designed to be friends with humans]].
40	* ColdBloodedTorture: Zeus attaches the merchant's intestines to a bicycle wheel to torture him, but the man gives up the Kid's location so fast that Zeus is disappointed that he didn't get a chance to use his torture contraption, so he tortures the man anyway.
41	* CrapsackWorld: After the nuclear RobotWar, the world is made barren to the point where the water is acidic. The last remnants of human- and robotkind spend their days scavenging for resources, and the only semblance of civilization is a fascistic EvilOverlord.
42	* CuteAndPsycho: Apple's overbearingly cheerful and friendly behavior initially creeps out the Kid. Only after several interactions does he finally settle down and start to appreciate how attractive she is.
43	* DamselOutOfDistress: The Kid keeps rescuing Apple, but Apple tends to rescue the Kid in turn.
44	* DeathIsCheap: Played straight three times [[spoiler: with Apple]], then subverted to add gravitas to the climactic HeroicSacrifice.
45	* DesignatedGirlFight: The Kid is beaten up by Zeus's DarkActionGirl, but [[spoiler:Apple returns just in time to kill her]].
46	* DidntSeeThatComing: The reaction our hero had when [[BigBad Zeus]] was revealed to be [[spoiler:mechanized]]; both cemented and played for laughs when [[SpotTheImposter Apple coined it]] [[HowDidYouKnowIDidnt before the Kid did]].
47	* DiegeticSwitch: In the opening montage, when the Kid returns to his bunker and puts a cassette into his Walkman, the soundtrack switches to now come from the Walkman. It starts out louder than before until the Kid turns down the volume.
48	* DissonantSerenity: Apple is extremely chipper no matter what the circumstances. Even when captured, discussing her imminent demise, or ruthlessly braining mooks, she's smiling and giggling. Kid initially finds this very creepy.
49	* DistressedDamsel: The Kid's motivation is first to rescue Apple from Zeus and then to repair her after she gets damaged.
50	* TheDragon: Skeletron, Zeus' mute (and apparently deranged) henchman, who is always seen either leading Zeus' troops or working as his personal assistant.
51	* EvilSoundsDeep: [[BigBad Zeus]] is played by Creator/MichaelIronside, so evil sounds ''very'' deep.
52	* ExploitationFilm: The film's low budget and ridiculous gore resemble an exploitation film, or at least other recent parodies of exploitation films.
53	* EyepatchOfPower: Zeus wears an eyepatch to show that he's the most powerful man around. [[spoiler:And to hide his exposed robot eye.]]
54	* EyeScream: Several. One poor soul tripped and fell onto his own screwdriver, while Zeus lost his eye [[spoiler:when the Kid's mother shot him with a crossbow]].
55	* TheFaceless: Skeletron is never seen without his skull mask.
56	* FauxAffablyEvil: In most scenes Zeus acts less like a warlord and more like a polite small town police chief from a 50s sitcom-until he subjects the heroes to brutal torture and makes them fight brutal gladiator matches for his amusement. This is best demonstrated when he plays nice to the captured Frederick, even allowing him to light a cigarette, even though he has every intention of killing him once he's done with him.
57	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
58	** The Kid asks Apple if she's able to shoot laser beams from her mouth. [[spoiler:Guess what's Zeus' ultimate weapon.]]
59	** One of the skulls mounted outside of Zeus' fortress [[spoiler:has the remnants of a mechanical eye in one of the empty sockets.]]
60	** Both instances of RoboticReveal are foreshadowed:
61	*** [[spoiler:When asked if she ever rests, Apple cheerily says, "No!" After playing tag, the Kid is left panting for breath. Apple squats beside him and imitates his panting, clearly not at all winded herself]].
62	*** [[spoiler:Apple states that some robots are evil, depending on the model. She also states that robots can eat, drink and breathe. These statements explain Zeus's bloodlust and ability to drink water. Also, when Zeus loses his eye, he reacts in anger rather than pain]].
63	* GenkiGirl: Apple.
64	* GladiatorGames: Zeus's "Pool Party" involves throwing a bunch of prisoners into an empty pool and forcing them to fight some gladiators to the death.
65	* {{Gorn}}: The LudicrousGibs throughout the film are mostly played for laughs. However, when [[spoiler:BigBad Zeus needs information from Bagu,]] we are treated to a tremendously imaginative implement of torture.
66	-->[[spoiler:'''Zeus:''' ...in case you haven’t noticed, your guts are literally attached to the wheels of this bicycle.]]
67	* GroinAttack: part of Apple's attack strategy. It works, especially when the victim already had his throat and face cut in two.
68	* HeroicSacrifice: Played straight for a BittersweetEnding when [[spoiler:Apple]] saves [[spoiler:The Kid]] from the Turbo Mega Blaster explosion.
69	* HerosJourney: Played mostly straight, but with a surprising twist on the MentorOccupationalHazard trope.
70	* HumansAreTheRealMonsters: Said by [[spoiler:Zeus]].
71	-->''"I was designed by your kind, You made me what I am."''
72	* HumanResources: How Zeus manufactures fresh water: by pulping humans and extracting about 10 gallons worth.
73	* HumansAreFlawed: Or at least more akin to cockroaches according to Zeus after the reveal.
74	* ItsPersonal: Frederick wants revenge on Zeus for the murder of his brother, [[spoiler:and the Kid wants the same thing for the murder of his parents]].
75	* ItSucksToBeTheChosenOne: [[spoiler:The original Turbo Rider either fails his mission of saving humanity or dies in the process of winning a PyrrhicVictory]].
76	* KukrisAreKool: The Kid wields a kukri into battle against Zeus's goons.
77	* LockAndLoadMontage: After finding [[spoiler:Turbo Rider]], The Kid gets to suit up via montage. Complete with weapon test and action pose.
78	* LosingYourHead: [[spoiler: Apple literally gets her head cut off at one point. The Kid duct tapes it to another robot body and she gets better.]]
79	* LudicrousGibs: The violence is all cartoonishly bloody.
80	* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: Zeus takes a crossbow bolt to the eye. Not only does this not kill him, he reacts with anger rather than pain. [[spoiler:This foreshadows his robotic reveal]].
81	* MalevolentMaskedMen: Zeus' henchmen, and Zeus himself while donning the Agamemnon death mask as he observes his gladiator matches.
82	* ManicPixieDreamGirl: Apple is a cute, fun-loving, overactive and ''very'' quirky girl who immediately takes interest in the Kid and encourages him to have fun with her. He is at first put off by her behavior, especially when she starts talking to a corpse and later breaks into his place. [[spoiler:She is actually a robot created to make friends, which explains her personality.]]
83	* MeaningfulBackgroundEvent: While Frederick and one of his men are taking a piss, the rest of their crew is being slaughtered by Zeus' men in the background.
84	* MeaningfulName: Zeus has.... kind of a god complex. And turns out to be able to [[spoiler:shoot electricity, or [[AgonyBeam something that looks like it]]]].
85	* MentorOccupationalHazard: A surprisingly original take. The mentor figure of the story's HerosJourney [[spoiler: is at first assumed to be fictional]], but is revealed [[spoiler: to have been real, but deceased long before the story began]]. The protagonist learns from a [[spoiler: very idealized version of what the mentor was actually like]] and makes it ''work''.
86	* NoBikesInTheApocalypse: Inverted to a point - ''everyone'' rides around on bicycles, [[{{Bathos}} even the bad guys' sinister henchmen when hunting the heroes.]]
87	* NoNameGiven: The main character is only ever referred to as the Kid.
88	* OnlyAFleshWound: In the climax, Frederick is seemingly fatally shot in the shoulder. He then shows up at the end, saying that it's gonna take more than this to get rid of him.
89	* ParentalAbandonment: The Kid lives alone in the wasteland after his parents [[spoiler: were killed by Zeus and Skeletron.]]
90	* PassingTheTorch: The Kid [[spoiler: takes up the mantle of his posthumous idol, or at least a fictionalized version of him -- who's to say what the real Turbo Rider was ''actually'' like?]].
91	* PerpetualSmiler: Apple is extremely enthusiastic about everything, causing her to constantly smile and laugh even at the most inappropriate things. When trapped in Zeus' GladiatorGames, she just looks around smiling, tickled pink at the whole affair while the rest of the prisoners are shitting their pants. Later, when admitting that her draining power will soon cause her to die, she just smiles and laughs at the prospect, which perplexes the Kid.
92	* PocketProtector: In the climactic fight, [[spoiler:the Kid is saved from Zeus' bullet by the metal box holding [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View-Master View-Master]] reels his mother gave him.]]
93	* PosthumousCharacter: [[spoiler: The real Turbo Rider]].
94	* ProtagonistTitle: Turbo Kid is our main character.
95	* RealAfterAll: [[spoiler: Turbo Rider is at first presented as a fictional, ''Captain America''-esque comic book protagonist whose image was co-opted as an army recruiting tool. Turns out in-universe he was a real super-soldier who died before or during the end of the war... meaning that the Kid has the chance to become his SpiritualSuccessor]].
96	* RidiculouslyHumanRobot: [[spoiler: Apple ''and'' Zeus]] are both robots who hid among humans for a long time.
97	* RobotWar: The backstory of the film is that the world was ravaged by a nuclear war against robots.
98	* RoboticReveal: [[spoiler:Apple and Zeus]] are both revealed to be robots after they sustain enough damage.
99	* RomanticRain: Well, it's a RainOfBlood, but Apple and the Kid share their first kiss under one, complete with an umbrella.
100	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: After the rest of Zeus' army has been slaughtered by the heroes, the last man standing just drops his weapons and run away. The Kid is about to shoot him but then just waves him off.
101	* ShoutOut: ''Many.'' --Not all limited to the 1980s.
102	** The opening montage song "Thunder in Your Heart" is best known for its appearance in the film ''{{Film/Rad}}''
103	** "A man with a good plan has [[WesternAnimation/GIJoe already won]] [[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle half the battle]]"
104	** The shape of the Turbo Glove is obviously based on the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem [=PowerGlove=]]].
105	** Apple’s tracking device is a modified slap bracelet.
106	** The costume design and the way the Turbo Glove shoots is basically a red ''Franchise/MegaMan''. To add to that, Skeletron shoots buzzsaws like Metal Man from ''VideoGame/MegaMan2''.
107	** The Kid's initial pose after donning the suit recalls the famous pose from ''Film/{{Tron}}'' (recreated for the film's poster).
108	** Arm wrestling as the post-apocalyptic sport of kings is a reference to 1987's ''Film/{{Over the Top}}''.
109	** Fredrick (in addition to being a Mad Max {{Expy}} complete with Aussie accent) recalls Franchise/IndianaJones--especially when his hat is involved.
110	** The fate of [[spoiler:Fredrick]]'s hand and its robotic replacement recalls ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack''.
111	** "This is my GNOMESTICK!" is a nod to the famous line "This is my boomstick" from ''Film/ArmyOfDarkness''.
112	** The long-haired, hockey-mask-wearing {{Mook}} recalls [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1990 Casey Jones]]. The air punching when the Kid first dons his uniform also resembles the martial arts moves the Turtles would make in the first movie.
113	** Zeus' two main henchmen (Skeletron and the one with the gas mask) with their getups are reminiscent of [[Film/MadMax2TheRoadWarrior Lord Humungus]] and [[Film/BigTroubleInLittleChina one of the Three Storms]] respectively.
114	** The water? [[spoiler:[[Film/SoylentGreen "It's people."]]]] The Kid also has "Soleil vert" cereals in his room. ''Soleil vert'' was the French title for ''Film/SoylentGreen''.
115	** The Kid and Apple's stargazing scene is right out of ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'' (complete with scientifically-accurate anecdote and similar shots).
116	** Apple’s astronomy lesson uses the quantity “billions and billions,” a phrase often associated with Creator/CarlSagan and the 1980 educational TV series ''{{Series/Cosmos}}''.
117	** Apple's [[spoiler:double-rowed heart meter]] is clearly inspired by ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' (complete with [[CriticalAnnoyance beeping when they're low]]).
118	** TheReveal with [[spoiler:Zeus]] is inspired by ''Film/TheTerminator''. The year the film is set in is 1997, the date of a nuclear holocaust according to ''Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay''.
119	** Zeus [[spoiler:meets his end]] in the same way as Film/{{Jaws}}.
120	** Zeus' execution methods are cribbed from ''VideoGame/HotlineMiami'', as is The Kid's use of a thrown hammer as a weapon.
121	** Apple's name is Apple and [[spoiler:is a computer]]. Apple Computers may have been established in 1976, in the 1980s is when it really took off by introducing the Macintosh in 1984. Similarly, Highway 64 is most likely a reference to the Commodore 64.
122	** Apples's three rules of self defense are "Strike first, strike hard, no mercy." These are the tenets of Cobra Kai in ''Film/TheKarateKid''.
123	* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: Some of the most idealistic gritty ultraviolent exploitation you'll ever see, especially given the dystopic post-apocalyptic setting. Granted, the idealism is implied to be based on a lie, but it's a motivating lie and what matters is ''its meaning''. Also a notable contrast with the original "T is For Turbo" short, whose tongue-in-cheek nihilism and fatalism took it in a... somewhat opposite direction.
124	* SpiritualSuccessor: A source of subtle meta-commentary. While the film has some aspects of a parody, it also sets itself up as a new, fresh version of classic 1980s fantasy and science fiction films with a HerosJourney plot. In the movie's story itself, [[spoiler: the Kid revives the idea of the original Turbo Rider, who died in the movie's fictional version of TheEighties, and becomes Turbo Kid]].
125	* StalkerWithACrush: Apple is initially teased as a creepy stalker who might have murdered her previous crush.
126	* TheSmurfettePrinciple: The only female characters are Apple and Zeus' henchwoman.
127	* StarsAreSouls: The Kid's mother would regal him with tales about how people would become stars in the sky, that when the end times came the sky lit up with'em looking over the world they left behind.
128	* StarCrossedLovers: He's a human, [[spoiler:she's a robot. In a post-apocalypse precipitated by a massive RobotWar]].
129	* TheStarscream: [[spoiler:Zeus established himself as a big bad when he betrayed and murdered his former master]].
130	* StealthHiBye: Apple simply appears in the swing right beside the Kid without when they first meet without him noticing her approach even though the area surrounding them is barren plains.
131	* SuitUpOfDestiny: The Kid dramatically suits up in Turbo Rider's outfit. In the process of triumphantly lowering the helmet onto his head, he realizes that it's all rotten and gross, so he triumphantly lowers his old helmet into his head instead. Luckily, he'd already painted it to look like Turbo Rider's helmet, so it fits the rest of the outfit.
132	* SuperSoldier: Turbo Rider.
133	* TheVoiceless: Skeletron may be Zeus' most prevalent henchman, but he doesn't say a single line in the movie.
134	* ThemeMusicPowerUp: during the final fight scene, complete with an "[[Music/{{Survivor\|Band}} Eye of]] [[Film/RockyIII the Tiger]]" [[SuspiciouslySimilarSong sound-alike]].
135	* TitleDrop: Applie admits that our protagonist might not be Turbo Rider, but he makes a good "Turbo Kid."
136	* TuckAndCover: [[spoiler: Apple does this to the Kid when the Kid blows up Zeus, [[HeroicSacrifice costing her life]].]]
137	* TrainingMontage: This quintessential 80s trope is surprisingly ''[[AvertedTrope averted]]'' with Apple & the Kid.
138	-->'''Apple:''' Strike first, strike hard, show no mercy. That's it!
139	* TroubledBackstoryFlashBack: The Kid wasn’t always alone, as we learn through progressive dream sequences throughout the movie. The final flashback reveals that, for him, [[spoiler:ItsPersonal: Zeus and Skeletron killed his parents]].
140	* ATwinkleInTheSky: Playing on the StarsAreSouls trope, at the end of the movie a star suddenly glimmers in the night over the riding Turbo Kid.
141	* VomitIndiscretionShot: Apple and The Kid’s second AlmostKiss is interrupted when Apple vomits back up the beans she had just pretended to eat.
142	* WalkingTheEarth: The Kid decides to explore the Wasteland at the end in an apparent effort to [[spoiler:find where Apple came from]].
143	* {{Zeerust}}: The narrator announces that it's the futuristic year 1997. The post-apocalyptic wasteland is filled with 1980s style and references. Basically this trope is the movie's reason for existing.

Context Film / TurboKid