Super
Cast: Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Kevin Bacon, Liv Tyler and Michael Rooker.
Director: James Gunn
Writer: James Gunn
Genre: Action/Comedy/Drama
The General Idea
Rainn Wilson is Frank D’arbo, line cook at a small diner. Straight out of the gates you know without a doubt this is not someone you would want to trade lives with. His fondest memories are the day he got married and the day he helped the police (by pointing the police in the right direction). When his ex-junkie wife (Liv Tyler) leaves him for the drug peddling scumbag Jacques (Kevin Bacon), Frank’s shitty life and his mental state becomes even worse. During this time of turmoil for Frank he is inspired by God — yes, God — to take to the street in the worst super hero costume ever imagined. Wielding a pipe wrench. Frank is The Crimson Bolt.
The Good
The story is as enjoyable as it is wildly disturbing. Frank is one horrible super hero. His weapon of choice: the pipe-wrench. Ridiculous. His sad attempts at crime fighting range from sitting by a dumpster to genocide.
Ellen Page as Libby, the comic book store clerk, and later Boltie the sidekick, add to the already disastrous crime fighting campaign. While at first she appears just nerdy, in actuality she is a psychopath, pure and simple. Bacon, as the bad guy Jacques, is enjoyable and fits the movie just well enough as a nemesis for The Crimson Bolt.
Nathan Fillion, as the Holy Avenger in some terrible PSA’s that appear on the TV, were great, great fun and really — who doesn’t just love Fillion.
The Bad
At points it’ s hard to know if you should actually laugh. The movie swings heavily between slapstick funny and attempts at serious drama. Honestly though, I am just nitpicking. I laughed throughout — the drama is so sad its actually funny.
The biggest problem with the entire movie is Rainn Wilson. While giving a solid performance, you will from time to time wonder if you are watching an episode of the Office, and if this is just some elaborate prank played on Dwight by Jim.
Summary
This is not just another “real life” super hero movie. Straight off the bat, I was expecting another Kick-Ass. It just isn’t. Frank’s idea of justice is so extreme and his use of the pipewrench is… generous to say the least. Disturbingly funny and well worth watching.
I give Super a 6.5 out of 10
Shut up crime!
