Mirageman

a Real Chilean Hero!

After the failed attempt Kiltro was, Chilean film maker Ernesto Díaz decided to give a rest to martial art flicks and moved on into the superhero genre and instead of paying big money in renowned comic book characters he chose to create a 100% made in Chile superhero. Such hero, goes by the name of Mirageman and neither has  superpowers nor he has a fortune to aid him on his gentle goal.

Once again Ernesto Díaz relies on Marko Zaror for the lead role. Zaror as Maco Gutiérrez, is a quiet and respectful bouncer working at a local renowned strip club. When not working, Maco is a fitness and workout nut. Of course, there is a story behind that would explain why this bouncer spends his spare time training.

No Jarvis, no kevlar, just martial arts and guts.

a Tribute to the mexican hero Chapulín Colorado.

So, how does Maco becomes Mirageman?

At some point in his life, Maco suffered a brutal attack that took the life of their parents and left his younger brother traumatized & under medical surveilance 24/7 in a mental institution. Thus, making Maco train his brains out in case the brutality of his past returns.

One random night while jogging, Maco stumbles across a robbery in progress outside of a suburban house. After instinctively disabling one bad guy, Maco hears screams coming from inside the house. Maco grabs the bad guy's mask and enters, surprising the bad guys and saving the day. One of the rescued victims is a tabloid television freak reporter Carol V (played by Chilean soup opera starlet María Elena Swett. By the way she can't act at all)

Carol V broadcasts a commentary piece the next night on her television show in which she calls the man that rescued her "a hero without a Batmobile or cape." For some reason, his brother also watches the Carol V's commentary making him improve his condition. Therefore, inspired by Carlo & his brother, Maco decides to become "the Vigilante".

Mirageman Begins.

Stop the press!

"Mirageman" is a difficult and ultimately mediocre movie. In it's short 87 minute running time, "Mirageman" changes tone three different times. By far the most amusing scenes come early in Maco's career as Mirageman. Mirageman has to fight what would be the first real life challenge of any superhero: Practicality. Mirageman has to overcome cumbersome costume difficulties which include time required to change into the costume and where to stash his non-hero clothes. And of course transportation. Although Maco's "origin story" is similar to Bruce Wayne, Maco is no billionaire. His costume is pieced together from a sporting goods store and he owns no car. At first he takes the bus when battling villainy.

"Mirageman" also revels in the belly-bouncing glee of how a superhero must hold himself while walking around. "The Dark Knight" and "Spider-Man" never shows the viewer what it's like when the Caped Crusader or the Web-Slinger has to, say, simply walk up stairs or down a hallway. How would they act while doing the mundane? Marco deals with that as Mirageman. The extended sequences showing the costumed Mirageman 'creeping' in bright sunlight with his arms held to ready like an arcade game are both funny and uncomfortably awkward.

The second tone of "Mirageman" deals with the life of a hero after he's sorta figured it out. This includes the surprising public reaction to their very own superhero and the ways that a simple masked man trying to do good can be exploited and become something of which he never wished. Maco also has to deal with what fans he has and hopefully deal with that embarrassing transportation issue. Maybe a sidekick would be just the thing? 

Sin of the flesh.

Maco goes through many transformations during the movie. I honestly can't remember more than one or two lines that Zaror has as Maco. Most of the character building is deftly conveyed using what the viewer already knows about 'superheros' and situational drama. Although he never says it, we feel Maco's pain, inadequacies, and sense of justice.

The third tone is set as Maco has to deal with these issues and the very real likelihood that, in order the make a real difference, he may have to risk it all.

The last act is brutal and realistic – a sharp contrast when compared to the relative camp of the opening act. One gets the feeling that this is what it would be like to take that mantel of responsibility.

Overall, another awful movie made by a group of enthusiasts who lack the skills necessary to pull a serious project. The terrible acting, plus the poor plot are the biggest weaknesses this film has. Also, this urban hero never gets to face a challenge of the size of a superhero. Most of his battles are spent with pickpocketers & low lifes who barely stand a chance against his martial arts skill. However, there is one big challenge by the very end of the film where a fake commissioner Gordon wannabe tells Mirageman he is the only hope on dealing with a pedophile network. Why is he the only hope? he's barely trained! he's never fought big businness mob! and where are the police during the whole movie? How does he know where the pedophile network hideout is? oh, and one more thing: Commissioners do not exist in Chile, why did they put one in the script?  

Again, these bad films made by apparent connoisseurs of the genre leave me with the same question: How can a connoisseur make such a bad film? I for one seriously think, the guys involved in the making of the film have no idea about comic books and of course, nothing to do with film making. Watching Tarantino & Rodríguez flicks do not turn you into an exploitation expert at all.

Skip this piece of crap.

Here's the movie trailer:

And here's the movie trailer from the failed american remake "Defender Man":