How entertaining? ★★★★★
Thought provoking? ★★☆☆☆ 27 July 2011
This a movie review of SUPER. |
Jacques, “You really think that killing me... stabbing me to death is going to change the world?”
Frank D'Arbo, “I can't know that for sure, unless I try.”
Hilariously violent, Super is for those comic-book movie lovers that like the staples re-mixed. With an all-star cast (Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon, Nathan Fillion), Slither writer-director James Gunn has delivered another funny genre romp; but this time taking his filmmaking to the next level, by making something also moving and unusual. Wilson’s Frank has hit rock-bottom emotionally. Immediately we are told he has only had two perfect moments in his life – telling a cop which way a criminal went, and marrying Liv Tyler’s Sarah. Sarah dumps him for Kevin Bacon’s Jacques pretty quickly after he reveals that. Frank has had a life of humiliation, and asks God for help.
Frank D'Arbo, “I can't know that for sure, unless I try.”
Hilariously violent, Super is for those comic-book movie lovers that like the staples re-mixed. With an all-star cast (Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon, Nathan Fillion), Slither writer-director James Gunn has delivered another funny genre romp; but this time taking his filmmaking to the next level, by making something also moving and unusual. Wilson’s Frank has hit rock-bottom emotionally. Immediately we are told he has only had two perfect moments in his life – telling a cop which way a criminal went, and marrying Liv Tyler’s Sarah. Sarah dumps him for Kevin Bacon’s Jacques pretty quickly after he reveals that. Frank has had a life of humiliation, and asks God for help.
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An epiphany comes with the one-two punch of Nathan Fillion’s TV religious super-hero, The Holy Avenger, and graphic novel store worker Libby (Page), who guides him to comics where the protagonists have no extra powers. Frank’s alter ego the Crimson Bolt is born. Like The Green Hornet, the initial foray into crime fighting is pretty inept. Unlike The Green Hornet, it stays pretty inept (although weirdly effective). This vigilante goes around beating up, really quite brutally, drug-dealers, muggers, etc. with a pipe wrench. The audience certainly feel those blows. The Crimson Bolt even lays into a couple who jump the queue at the cinema.
There is an atypical ethical path the film treads, from seeming pro-religion one minute, to slating it the next, and being about justice and amorality. The lack of clear principles is refreshing, especially in this genre. With a lo-fi sensibility and flat cinematography, the style heightens the absurdist reality of proceedings, and makes them all the more enjoyable. Page is a delight, who is shaping up to be fantastic comedienne – nailing timing, delivery and physicality. Plus the soundtrack is ace. This is one of the few times I wanted a happier ending, but that is not a criticism. I can’t wait to see what Gunn does next.