As far as knock-off superhero films go, you could do much, much worse than Alberto De Martino's The Pumaman. The film has a coherent plot, average special effects, and enough action beats to prevent it from becoming boring or tedious. But that's about everything positive that can be said about The Pumaman. The eponymous Pumaman is the alter-ego of American paleontologist Tony Farms. He discovers his powers when he is defenestrated by an Aztec priest named Vadinho and survives. Vadinho then gives Tony a magical golden belt that allows him to become the Pumaman, a superhero capable of super-strength, teleportation, flight, and feigning death for ten minutes by stopping his heart. How any of these powers are related to a puma is anyone's guess. Tony must fight against the evil Dr. Kobras, a madman bent on controlling the minds of world leaders via a golden Aztec mask. However, Tony proves to be a largely incompetent superhero. He has to be saved several times by Vadinho. I'm not sure if it was De Martino's intention to make his hero an incapable laughing stock, but that is how Pumaman is portrayed. The special effect used to make Pumaman fly is particularly ridiculous. Let's just say it involves trampolines, blue screens, and one very uncomfortable actor. But, as I said, I've seen worse superhero movies. But could someone please explain to me why a white American was chosen as the conduit for mystical Aztec powers? Personally, I think Vadinho should have been chosen. He did do most of the hero work in the film.
5/10
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