Review of Super (2010) by Benjamin P — 13 Jan 2012

Super is a film that is hard to forget. It is completely unique, managing to be violent, disturbing, off putting, stupid, sweet, and touching all at once. It holds the odd distinction of being the only film I've ever sat through feeling like crap, but came out of feeling happy. It's like Training Day with a feel good family film as a frame.

Super is certainly a unique film, and deciding whether it works or not is not an easy task. There are some truly great things about it, Ellen Page in particular who brings an amazing chaotic energy to the screen. Nathan Filion's cameo is a stroke of genius, not the least the fact that he's in tights, and Kevin Bacon turns in a solid performance as well. There are some great lines throughout, references to comics and their mass appeal and the geek world is treated with a genuine affection, which is sweet. The problem is that the best moments in this film are when Gunn is being light and heartfelt and these are overshadowed by the extreme violence throughout the film. Initially this works well as it hits you over the head and provides an extreme shot, but then Gunn doesn't seem to know how to balance the two and it's hard to tell if Super is amusing or just sick. The final third works due to the abandonment of humour for all out violence and gore, but Gunn then jumps to a sweet lighthearted ending, which while nice is extremely implausible.

Here Gunn has shown some ability in character development and even as an action director. Unfortunately the film can't make up its mind between relationship film and action film and doesn't manage to completely successfully marry the two.