Making a writing/directing debut, Michael Morrissey shows talent in the look of his film, but deficiencies in scripting and pulling believable performances from his mostly unknown cast. Lanky Caleb Steinmeyer, whos had only one-and-done roles on a few popular TV series (and, tellingly, worked as a behind-the-scenes assistant on one of the worst movies Ive seen all year), has the lead as Sean, a teen whos never gotten over the horror of seeing his music-teacher mother (Tracy Middendorf, TVs Boardwalk Empire) murdered before his childhood eyes.
Wishing to avenge her death, the steroid-taking Sean sports a hoodie and patrols the streets at night to bust up crime. He saves a hooker from a beat-down, and she sees him as an angel, so shes not willing to help the authorities (repped by Zulay Henao, Takers, who lacks credibility in the part) catch him.
Its not that Boy Wonder isnt exciting; I wasnt expecting it to be a comic book brought to life. Its just that its boring. Morrissey wants to give it dramatic heft by introducing daddy issues and themes of abuse, but doesnt produce the dialogue to match: "You can keep your due process. Thanks for the egg roll." Rod Lott