Top 10 Power-Ups in Project Power

Script Written by Michael Wynands

Top 10 Power-Ups in Project Power_W2N3K6

Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Power-Ups in “Project Power”.

For this list, we’ll be ranking the various superhuman abilities depicted in this Netflix original movie, and ranking them based on their desirability, usefulness and wow factor.

Please note, since these powers are central to the film’s plot, there are MAJOR spoilers ahead.

If you could have any one superpower for just 5 minutes, what would you pick?? Be sure to share the power and why in the comments below.

#10: Thermoregulation

“Project Power” centers on a designer drug that gives people incredible abilities for 5 minutes per dose. The thing is…you don’t know what power it’ll trigger, and after your first hit, future doses will always trigger the same power. Thermoregulation might be effective in animals, but the two versions of this ability that we see in the film come with serious side effects. The first thermoregulator we meet in the film is Newt, played by Machine Gun Kelly. A real hothead, Newt becomes a human fireball, but is horribly disfigured as a result of the transformation. He’s also notably vulnerable to water. Still, it's better than thermoregulators on the cold side of the spectrum. Talk about a miserable way to go.

#9: Camouflage

If this were straight up invisibility, it would be MUCH higher on our list. But as this bank robber’s not so successful getaway shows, this particular power is more of a semi-effective camouflage. About halfway through the film, we learn that the various powers are loosely related to various abilities found in animals from throughout the animal kingdom. In this robber’s case, it would seem that he’s got camouflage similar to that of a chameleon or various sea creatures. While this works well when he’s standing still, it can’t keep up with a high-speed foot chase in a busy city. And as this unlucky crook learns the hard way, the moment he gets dirty, he’s very visible.

#8: Monster Strength

As to what animal ability this power could possibly be linked, we’re open to suggestions. Seriously… anyone? Biggie might be limited to a supporting villainous role in the film, but as far as powers go, he nonetheless earns his nickname. After swallowing a power pill, the hotshot drug dealer essentially hulks out, becoming a massive, disproportionately mutated freak. We’d call him a human wrecking ball, but we’re not sure if he still fits the criteria for “human” post-transformation. The creature he becomes is undeniably powerful, but it also makes him hideous and there seems to be permanent scarring between doses. Also, for all his muscle, Biggie still seems surprisingly vulnerable to catastrophic injury and dismemberment. All things considered, we’ll pass.

#7: Accelerated Healing/Rejuvenation

From the moment you see a character pop a pill in “Project Power”, you’re sitting on the edge of your seat. Half the fun of this movie is seeing what sort of abilities they’ll manifest and how. Cuello is the guy running distribution from the Cantonese supermarket. And as soon as he finds out Jamie Foxx’s character, the Major, is outside, he downs a pill. We were anticipating some awesome visible upgrade like Newt, but instead, Cuello gets himself unceremoniously gunned down. Just when we thought his pill was a dud however, his lifeless body rejects the bullets and the wounds heal over, Deadpool-style. While this is a freaking awesome power, with a 5 minute time limit, it doesn’t actually enable you to get much done.

#6: Contortionism/Elasticity/Flexible Bones

Is this power impressive? Absolutely. Do we think it has its uses? Without a doubt. Take a skilled fighter and give them this ability and they will absolutely wreck an opponent — so long as that person isn’t a hero in a movie. You can train in the art of combat as much as you like, but an opponent with this freakish range of motion and reach is one that you simply cannot prepare yourself for. This superpowered henchmen pulls off some absolutely astounding moves and the end result is arguably the best fight sequence of the entire film. But let’s be honest, these powers have a serious gross out factor and —as we see in the movie— some notable limitations.

#5: Bone Weapons

Okay, this power obviously has a gross out factor too, but the cool factor is also off the freaking charts. For anyone who’s ever fantasized about wielding Wolverine’s retractable claws, this seems like a totally acceptable compromise. Sure, getting those bones to pop out seems like it would be excruciatingly painful. But just ask Wolverine, pain is all part of the package. And from the way this henchman wields these spiky appendages, you can tell that he’s had plenty of practice. This brawl rivals that of our previous entry in terms of the fight coordination, and wins out in terms of the overtly badass mutation. Unfortunately, there’s nothing stopping these weapons from being turned against the one who wields them. That’s gotta hurt.

#4: Bulletproof Skin

In any sort of high intensity gunfight, this should probably be your number one pick. Played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, New Orleans police officer Frank Shafer uses power pills to (as he puts it) “even the playing field”. And it would seem that he got extra lucky in the genetic power pill lottery because he just so happens to manifest seemingly impenetrable skin. This allows him to survive gunfire —including a bullet to the temple at point blank— without breaking the skin. By extension, this also seems to add some damage to his punches, but it doesn’t give him super strength, or necessarily protect him from internal injuries.

#3: Super Strength

With so many powers and so little time, not every ability in this movie gets its due. And admittedly, super strength doesn’t make for the most visually exciting upgrade relative to others we’ve seen. Unlike in comics and conventional superhero movies, this character’s super strength doesn’t appear to come with much in the way of heightened durability. And so while he’s able to punch through a solid metal door, when he steps into the next room, it's with some seriously bloody knuckles. Even with all these shortcomings, however, it’s a small price to pay for everything you could achieve with super strength, even if it only lasts 5 minutes. Not all super strength-worthy activities are painful, just being able to lift extremely heavy stuff would be cool.

#2: Mantis Shrimp Punch

We’ve put out our fair share of lists about weird and interesting animals over the years. But we did not know about the mighty mantis shrimp and its special abilities before this movie. Using its front legs, this brightly-colored crustacean strikes with the force of a rifle bullet. It’s so fast that it actually affects the water pressure and causes something called cavitation bubbles. It’s complicated, but this strike essentially causes the surrounding water to briefly boil as a result of the energy of the strike. As Jamie Foxx’s character explains, that’s essentially what his power boils down to. It’s awe-inspiring in its effectiveness and force — if seemingly difficult to control— and undeniably an epic power that gets a lot done in 5 minutes.

#1: Permanent Powers (Including Healing)

She may have inherited her powers from her father, but Tracy is the next step in human evolution — and likely without equal. The Major needs to take a pill to use his abilities like everyone else, but Tracy’s genetically inherited abilities are permanent. The most obvious use of her powers is when, in the film’s climax, she uses her innate abilities to heal her father. His powers pushed him to the brink, but she’s able to repair the collateral damage he inflicted upon himself. The ability to heal others at will automatically earns Tracy our top spot, but we think she’s still got more tricks up her genetic sleeve. When we first see her in the lab, she’s up to something that doesn’t look like healing. Here’s hoping there’s a sequel so we can find out!