Review of Super (2010) by Alex M — 28 Jul 2013

Director James Gunn has a knack for making genre films that go outside of regular film conventions. With "Slither" he made an old time monster movie that coupled with horror and thrillers. Here he takes on the superhero milieu, and in the same way as "Kickass," easily subverts the traditional hero.

While that film was more about teenaged angst and hardcore violence, "Super's protagonist is much darker, very prone to violence, and he definitely does not have his life in order. Frank (Wilson) is a very confused man who has his wife taken away from him by violent individuals who have drugged and re-addicted her to drugs.

He has acted as her rock for so long that when she is powerless to even save herself, he jumps into action and takes on the unique catchphrase of "Shut up crime!" Frank has his own virtues and creed, but he oftentimes takes justice too far but without repercussion.

Instead of finding the character repulsive and his actions incomprehensible, the film celebrates the blood and sometimes gore. Frank fights tooth and nail to save his wife, and his sacrifices, whether physical, mental, or emotional, are all brave and heartbreaking to watch.

The film gets much darker when he takes on sidekick Boltie (Page), who has a violent streak that runs deeper than anything Frank could imagine. Her rage and lack of common sense seems to work well with his naiveté and need to crusade for justice.

The film is also laced with black comedy, and it works well with what the film is. The relationship between Frank and Boltie is both obviously flawed and always entertaining. The action has some bloody battles, but what makes these scenes really interesting is how excited Frank is to burst into battle, and yet it's so painful and frightening for him.

It's not just a film about bloodletting of course; it's also about a man who takes on everyone, to save the one person he has always protected.