Super Movie Review
Super Movie Review
Directed by James Gunn, starring Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Kevin Bacon, Liv Tyler
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"Shut up, Crime!" is the call-to-arms for The Crimson Bolt, a DIY superhero vigilante who exists by day as Frank D'Arbo (played by Rainn Wilson of House of 1000 Corpses), short order cook in a small town greasy-spoon. Frank is a restless, aimless man whose only source of real happiness is his wife, Sarah (played Liv Tyler of The Strangers). But when Sarah goes back to her old vices (drugs, sex, rock 'n roll — the usual), and leaves Frank for the smarmy, criminal owner of the local strip club, Jacques (played by Kevin Bacon of Friday the 13th), that's the final straw for Frank's already shaky sanity.
Determined to get his woman back and redeem himself, Frank finds God… and a pipe wrench. Brutal beatings, a rape, dismemberment-by-explosion, and murder follow. Yep, Super is the latest comedy from James Gunn!
Gunn's known for his quirky sense of humor having begun with career with Troma, hit some horror high notes with his screenplay of the Dawn of the Dead remake and his own original monster movie SLiTHER, but he's never done anything quite this dark and disturbing. Super is the kind of movie that's supposed to be funny, but makes the audience feel dirty for finding it so. I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but Super is definitely a memorable thing.
Blending a few cartoon graphics throughout the ultra-realistic filmed live action, Gunn creates a collage of imagery which unifies seamlessly and organically. From the depiction of Frank's dreary day-job, to his meeting with the hand (or, rather, tentacle) of God, to his comic-book fantasies, to his viewing of his favorite TV show (starring Nathan Fillion as The Holy Avenger) — it all works as a visual whole. The music is a perfect fit, as are the sets and locations.
Of course, one can set the stage but it takes actors to bring it all to life. Wilson is remarkably complex as Frank — by turns intimidating yet vulnerable, wise yet dumb, and loving yet loathing. He's a strange brew for sure, only semi-dangerous on his own. But once the cook-cum-crusader meets demented wannabe super-girl Libby (Ellen Page), a truly toxic ingredient, there is no turning back.
He is now The Crimson Bolt, and she is his sexy sidekick Boltie — trading in the wrench for an array of deadlier weapons, the painful pair go on a rampage (which doesn't go unnoticed by the local populace — or the local police [Gregg Henry is awesome in this, as well]). While Boltie is content to target anyone who "might" have done wrong, Frank is focused on rescuing Sarah from Jacque's sleaze-o drug den and returning to his (skewed view) domestic bliss. But as the old adage says, You can never go home again.
It's impossible to label Super and I wouldn't even have to cheek to try… but I will say it is a must for horror geeks on the gore perv-factor alone. It's funny (ha-ha, and odd) that one of the bloodiest movies to come out so far this year is actually a comedy. Gotta love it.
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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson