Review of Super (2010) by Ali M — 27 Jul 2015

Watching this movie a second time made me realize what makes James Gunn a unique creative force and why Marvel chose to let him helm a risky venture like Guardians of the Galaxy. Sure Super has its loopholes and flaws, but the dark comedy elements and a heartfelt message keeps the narrative tight. This was for me what Kick-Ass needed to be. Whereas Kick-Ass ending sequence (the jet-pack scene) left a bad taste in my mouth, Super made me smile because of the end monologue delivered with grace by Rainn Wilson.

With that said I didn't love all aspects of the film, especially Ellen Page's Libby. I thought the character was super annoying, and although it was good enough to complement Wilson's role, the overall tone of the movie got a little too goofy every time Page's Boltie was on screen. Even though Boltie was an integral part of the Crimson Bolt's story, I was happy to see her bid us farewell (no more spoilers). On the other hand, it was disappointing to not get MORE of Nathan Fillion's Holy Avenger! Fillion is great at everything he does but unfortunately I felt his character was underutilized in the film and could have been explored more. Speaking of meatier roles, Kevin Bacon has been my favorite comebacks in recent times and dude has shown versatility in every role he accepts. This one is no exception and he just shines in every scene he is in.

Overall a great indie comedy that deserves more recognition and is still sadly underrated by many. James Gunn really used his creative energy to the fullest in crafting a very original story based on a not so original concept. But regardless you can see his trademark style reflected in every scene, with a very psychedelic dream sequence that is likely to stick in my mind for a long time. Recommend it for all who have a taste for such a genre and please refrain from comparing it to Kick-Ass.