Super

USA 2010
produced by
Miranda Bailey, Ted Hope, Iddo Lampton Enochs jr (executive), Matthew Leutwyler (executive), Rainn Wilson (executive) for This Is That Productions, Ambush Entertainment, Crimson Bolt
directed by James Gunn
starring Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon, Michael Rooker, Andre Royo, Sean Gunn, Stephen Blackehart, Don Mac, Linda Cardellini, Nathan Fillion, Gregg Henry, Grant Goodman, Paul T.Taylor, Connor Day, James Gunn, Mikaela Hoover, Nick Holmes, Matt Moore, Rob Zombie (voice), Steve Agee, Laurel Whitsett, Nate Rubin, Edrick Browne, Danny Cosmo, Krystal Mayo, Mario Jimenez, Jonathan Winkler, Mollie Milligan, Gerry May, Valentine Miele, Michelle Gunn, Darcel White Moreno, Greg Ingram, Lindsay Soileau, brandon Belknap, Zach Gilford, Lloyd Kaufman, Tim J.Smith, Mark De Alessandro, Cole S.McKay, Dominick LaBlanca, John W.Lawson, William Katt, Gerardo Davila, Preston Strother, Russell Towery, Kurt Deville, James Lentzsch
written by James Gunn, music by Tyler Bates, special effects by PUNY, visual effects by MODUS FX

review by
Mike Haberfelner

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Frank's (Rainn Wilson) wife Sarah (Liv Tyler) leaves him for another man, gangster/clubowner Jacques (Kevin Bacon) - and it shatters him, not only because he has lost the love of his life, but also because she's a recovering drug addict, and Jacques is able to offer her a constant supply of drugs. He tries to get her back more than once, but not only does she not want to return, Jacques also has power - and he has men to beat Frank up.

One night though, Frank believes he is touched by the finger of God (voiced by Rob Zombie) and has gotten a mission to become a superhero. With the help of comicstore shopclerk Libby (Ellen Page), he learns everything there is to know about superheroing, but his first exploits as superhero Crimson Bolt are nothing short of pathetic, and it takes him quite a while to figure everything out. Libby soon figures out Crimson Bolt is really Frank, but he denies everything for a long time. Then though, after breaking into Jacques's premises and overhearing a conversation not meant for his ears, he finds himself on the run from Jacques's men, who are now intent on shooting him dead, and they seriously injure him. Since they know where he lives, Frank can't return back home and thus asks Libby for abode. She is happy to help out because for her he's a comicbook hero come to life, and she nurses him the best she can (not very good) ... and pretty much forces him to make her his kid sidekick Boltie. Her ideas of superheroing though are crude at best, and repeatedly Frank has to keep her from killing minor offenders. But then she saves his life when two of Jacques's bodyguards are gunning for him. She also pretty much rapes him though ...

Eventually, Frank and Libby get ready to raid Jacques's home, they arm themselves to the teeth, but on bullet-proof wests, and go in guns blazing - which sounds like fun until Libby gets half her head blown away. Still, Frank moves on with his mission, and not a moment too soon, as his totally drugged up wife, whom Jacques has pretty much given up anyways, is about to be raped by one of his business associates. Ultimately, Frank kills everyone on sight, blows the place up and saves his wife ...

Sarah gets back on track after all the events, turns her life around, quits drugs for good this time ... and leaves Frank for good after about two months. She marries another man and has four children - and these four children make everything worthwhile for Frank in retrospect ...

A fat guy becoming an unlikely superhero - now this concept could have resulted in an annoyingly moronic and jokefree comedy (as it often has in the past), but Super is different inasmuch as the fat jokes are kept to an absolute minimum, instead the focus is put on telling a story that has heart but refrains from becoming cheesy, and that features enough twists and turns to keep one interested. And the fact that the film's humour is biting, off-beat and intelligent doesn't hurt too much either, nor does a very competent cast - especially Rainn Wilson's rather subtle and Ellen Page's energetic performances really make the day.

In all, pretty good entertainment!

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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