Super Review

• 24th Jul 2011

Rainn Wilson plays probably the saddest man on the planet in this new flick from James (Slither) Gunn. Basically he is dumped by his junkie wife (Liv tyler) for the fast talking much more charming Jacques (Kevin bacon) who is also a local big time drug dealer.

His life falls apart until he gets the idea of dressing up as a comic book character and hit the streets to help solve crime. Sound familiar? Yes well if Kick-Ass was the poor man’s Spider-man, then Super is the poor man’s Kick-Ass. But it certainly has plenty of invention and wit about it along the way. There may be a minimal budget, but the performances help sell the sharp script. Michael Rooker, Ellen Page, Greg Henry and Nathan Fillion help the proceedings.

Ultimately it is Wilson’s film and he demonstrates every spectrum of his characters miserable life with restraint throughout. In fact he is only in danger of losing our attention when the scene chewing Bacon is on screen.

Super is that proper alternative comic book movie that keeps a leash on the characters aspirations from the get go right through to the finale, which kick-ass failed to do in its third act. Thumbs up to Gunn then for giving us a proper indie flick that is smart, funny and not without its social commentary.

Steven Hurst