What if a child from another world came here, & he was not a hero?

Kaleidoscope's latest is on Screen Gems's & Sony's production of "Brightburn".  Directed by David Yarovesky, the movie stars Elizabeth, David Denman, & Jackson A. Dunn.  Rated 'R', it has a running time of 1 hr., 30 min.

It is 2006, and Tori (Banks) & Karl (Denman), who live in Brightburn, Kansas, have unsuccessfully been trying to conceive.  One day, an answer to their prayers arrives as what seems to be a meteor crash lands on their property; encased within is a baby boy.  The couple adopts him as their own, naming him Brandon (Dunn).  For the first 12 years of his life, he is a model infant & young child.  At this age, however, Brandon discovers that he has unique abilities such as extraordinary strength & invulnerability.  Concurrently, he is hearing voices talking in a strange language.  One evening, Brandon sleep walks & travels to the barn.  Inside, he is drawn to a locked trapdoor.  Underneath is a glowing red object; while still asleep he tries to open the trapdoor as he keeps chanting in the aforementioned strange language.  Tori awakens, heads to the barn, & pulls Brandon back to the house.  As Act I ends, Brandon is becoming more & more disrespectful & disobedient to his parents.  Acts II & III take us on the alternate alien 'Superboy' story.

There was much anticipation on this reviewer's part regarding this alternate take on the Superman legend.  Unfortunately, there was also disappointment after viewing it.  Director Yarovesky, in only his 2nd feature effort, still seems to be leaning how to direct a suitable thriller/scifi film.  Much of what happens is statically presented.  Sequences appear episodic rather than having a true flow.  The key role of Brandon is directed with pedestrian efficiency; except for an occasional scream, the character never displays a change of emotion whether happy, sad, angry, or joyful.  It is obvious that Yarovesky had a very limited budget, & it is evident throughout.  Brian & Mark Gunn's screenplay, only their 2nd feature, reads like an extended episode of a TV anthology series such as 'The Outer Limits', etc.  Their dialogue is prosaic; much of it is telegraphed.  Perhaps they will get better with more experience.  Banks is believable as the mother who yearned for completeness & thought she had found it with the alien child, yet turns against him when the truth is abundantly presented.  It is a nice turn from her usual comedic roles.  Denman, more TV than film actor although competent at both, is fine as the dad who comes to the realization of the truth before his wife does.  Dunn is the main problem.  He acts as a cipher through much of the movie.  Yarovesky's mundane, uninspired direction does not help; perhaps a more seasoned person at the helm would have helped Dunn's key character's performance. Michael Dallatore's cinematography belies his routine, at best, scene compositions.  He, too, is only on his 2nd feature.  Tim Williams's score is the only technical area that shows any real inspiration & life.  His themes & motifs highlight the presented scenes. 

I give "Brightburn" 7 out of 10 nuggets.  It is a great premise that only faintly fulfills its mission.  It would have had a better fate as a made for television film--maybe.