SUPER

Run Time: 1 hr 28 min
Release Date: April 1, 2011 (limited) April 13, 2011 VOD
Directed by: James Gunn
Dropps: 6/10

After years of life getting you down and you only have two good memories what would you do? Some people crawl into a shell and become hermits, not ever wanting to see other people again. Others may go to life coaches and try to change their fortune through thinking positively. Then there are people that think far outside the box.
In James Gunn’s new film Super, the audience sees what happens when one person’s threshold for unfortunate events has had enough. Frank D’Arbo (Rainn Wilson) is a guy that has been put down by life over and over again.  The one current bright light in his life is his wife Sarah, a former drug addict.  When Sarah falls off the wagon and falls for a local dealer, the final straw breaks for Frank. He makes himself into super hero Crimson Bolt and vows to fight crime and save his wife. Can everything work out for Frank or is he in over his head?

The film’s director and writer, James Gunn, is best known for his film Slither and has also written for such films as the live action films Scooby Doo, Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and Dawn of the Dead (2004). With his list of films, there were great hopes for a film that leaves you crying from the laughter but, unfortunately this was not necessarily the case.

The structure of the film is not evenly distributed to hold interest with story or even comedy. The beginning of the film seems very uninspiring where the development of the main character occurs. The dialogue barely holds the attention of the audience and there aren’t many laughable moments.  The one scene that is supposed to be a game changer in the film seems as if it has come from the mind of a preteen.

When the film picks up pace and appealing, it is mostly filled with violence.  Even though there is reasoning behind every act the violence is excessive. The acts of violence committed by the heroes in the film make them straddle the line between being good and the dark side. Also there is some interactions between a few characters that is awkwardly set up in the film.

There are only two performances that really popped, Ellen Page as Libby/Boltie and Kevin Bacon as Jacques. Ellen Page is hilarious as the comic book geek Libby/Boltie.  She takes the idea of a fan girl and pushes it to the heights of craziness.  Her enthusiasm for the comic book life of a super hero and her actions against others make her character a lunatic that you wouldn’t mind befriending. There is no doubt in your mind that she was made for this part and no one else could take her place.

Kevin Bacon portrays the villain in the film Jacques, who is a drug dealer and sways D’Arbo’s wife back into drugs.  Though Bacon does not have a lot of time in front of the camera he makes an impression as Jacques. There aren’t many other people that could give you the cocky smile and walk around like a nice guy but still turn around to pull a gun on you.

To sum it up if you are looking for a hero film that resembles Kick Ass or Batman you are barking up the wrong tree. The film is rated R, has a loosely put together script and is no way appropriate for children. If you really want to see the film it is okay to wait for the film to hit DVD or look for it on Video on Demand.