Super (2010)

Super (2010) Dir. by James Gunn

After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks for heroic skills.



It didn't take long for James Gunn to graduate from Troma films to the big leagues. Slither was pretty much a spring board on a high dive for Gunn. Oddly enough that is also where it ended. After having such a huge hit like Slither he has managed to state out of the spot light a bit, barely doing anything other than hosting "Scream Queens" on television. I was excited to see his return to solid filmmaking.



It didn't take long for Super to set the stage. Rainn Wilson as a man who thought his life had come together so well. His life immediately shattered when Kevin 'flippin' Bacon comes in and steals his woman by offering her a drop of liquid happiness (drugs). Man gets upset, sees Nathan Fillion in spandex as a superhero and decides he wants to be one too.

The characters are relatively well stretched out. Rainn actually does a superb job in a semi-serious role. Ellen Page is more attractive than she has ever been before and all she had to do was put on a superhero outfit. Kevin Bacon is actually pretty hilarious as a bad guy. Nathan Fillion pretty much steals the show as a caped crusader on a mission from God to rid the world of evil.



What really surprised me about this film is the level of gore Gunn was willing to go to. It did not disappoint me, and it is pretty much responsible for being on this site. It does not shy away from the real life consequences of hitting someone with a monkey wrench. YOU WILL PUT SOMEONE IN THE HOSPITAL OR KILL SOMEONE! I was so happy to see that it didn't take a ridiculous approach to this, and remained realistic. Overall the film wasn't too bad. It was mildly entertaining with a few great scenes that were enough to pump it up past the half way point for me. The film was actually made really well, but just didn't do enough for me to get more than one viewing.

Entertainment Value: 6/10 Exploding People
Cinematic Value: 7/10 Exploding People