Dir. James Gunn, 2010, 92 mins,USA
Cast. Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon
Review by Michelle Moore
After the success of last year’s superhero action comedy Kick Ass, which was based on the comic book of the same name, another superhero movie is about to be set upon waiting audiences in the form of the dark Super.
When Frank’s (Wilson) recovering addict wife Sarah (Tyler), leaves him for charming and seductive, yet psychopathic, drug dealing strip club owner Jacques (Bacon), Frank sinks into depression, where he has a vision that God has chosen him for a very special purpose. After some advice from neurotic comic book shop employee Libby (Page), Frank suits up in a patchwork costume and The Crimson Bolt is born. Armed with a wrench, weapons, explosives, bulletproof vests and Libby as his sidekick Boltie, they go on a crime-fighting spree, brutally bludgeoning drug dealers, child molesters and muggers as well as people that scratch cars and those who push in line.
In comparison to other films based on superhero themes, Frank does not become a superhero through an accident (Spiderman) or because he wants to protect the public (Batman), he does so to pursue his journey of self-discovery and the need to get back his wife. He doesn’t care whether he is beating drug dealers and child molesters, or simply seeking revenge for selfish reasons. It isn’t until the end he realises although the result of his superhero antics may not have been exactly what he had visualised, he is happy to have liberated his wife, help her overcome her addiction so she can help others in similar positions.
There have been several films based on the foundation of superheroes, however none have been so graphic or antagonistic; where most take the comical aspect of a costume and the individual’s powers and play on this, Super is more about Frank’s reasons for wanting to become a superhero and the way he does so through aggression. There are some acts to which the audience will likely cheer Frank on, such as punishment to child molesters, robbers and drug dealers, although the manor in which he does so may be a little harsh. Then there are some beatings such as a couple pushing in line that go through a near death experience and are certainly over the top.
The movie has the ‘CRASH’ ‘POW’ cartoon feature on its side that other superhero flicks have featured in the past, typically those based on comics. However, the premise of an individual putting on a costume while having no superhuman powers was much more enjoyable before Kick-As. Although its creator Mark Millar and James Gunn were working on their projects at the same time, Kick-Ass took the limelight and Super unfortunately gets the runner up prize.
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