Super (2010) is a superhero dark comedy film directed by James Gunn (Guardians of The Galaxy, Slither, Dawn of the Dead) that stars Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page and Kevin Bacon. It follows Frank Darbo (Rainn Wilson), a middle-aged loser who's wife is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. When his wife is taken away from him by Jacques (Kevin Bacon), he attempts to get her back by becoming a superhero of his own design. He becomes the Crimson Bolt, along with his sidekick Boltie (Ellen Page), who both work together to take back his wife.
The comic book style of the film perfectly embodies the tone, style and narrative techniques the classic comic book has. The usage of handheld shots emphasizes the gritty realism and lumpy authenticity of this superhero's world, as we follow this superhero who's just like any of us, no superpowers, no anything. A man who is extremely relatable until he becomes the maniac we know as The Crimson Bolt. The action sequences are flawlessly shot and strikingly innovative. The film is absurdly hilarious, often satirizing Christianity as well as mocking superhero film tropes. Despite its unrelentingly dark subject matter, the film remains hilarious throughout its 96-minute runtime. The soundtrack was the epitome of 'happy-sad' music, ideal for the mood of the film.
A bible thumper of a superhero with no superpowers and no money who has no idea what he's doing? How could that ever go wrong? Rainn Wilson is impeccable as the Crimson Bolt, from the characters constant over-exaggerated actions to his periods of immense depression, Wilson delivers a very physical performance. Rainn Wilson makes us sympathise with a character that is doing wrong, constantly. From beating the bad out of people for skipping the line to lying to every single person he knows. He feels as if he is genuinely not doing anything wrong. Ellen Page takes a complete left turn from her usual character type, becoming the psychotic delusional sidekick to The Crimson Bolt.
Despite the positives, the film is tonally inconsistent, with a multitude of tonal shifts throughout, that can often be jarring and flusters the audience. The film also tackles some very sensitive issues a bit too comedically (if you've watched the film you would know INSTANTLY what I'm referencing).
At face value, this film feels as if it is a silly unnecessarily dark superhero film with no deeper meaning, but the film is rich in meaning. It criticises what determines right and wrong, as well as digging into depression and religion. A film I highly recommend for everyone to watch! My new favourite superhero - The Crimson Bolt
The comic book style of the film perfectly embodies the tone, style and narrative techniques the classic comic book has. The usage of handheld shots emphasizes the gritty realism and lumpy authenticity of this superhero's world, as we follow this superhero who's just like any of us, no superpowers, no anything. A man who is extremely relatable until he becomes the maniac we know as The Crimson Bolt. The action sequences are flawlessly shot and strikingly innovative. The film is absurdly hilarious, often satirizing Christianity as well as mocking superhero film tropes. Despite its unrelentingly dark subject matter, the film remains hilarious throughout its 96-minute runtime. The soundtrack was the epitome of 'happy-sad' music, ideal for the mood of the film.
A bible thumper of a superhero with no superpowers and no money who has no idea what he's doing? How could that ever go wrong? Rainn Wilson is impeccable as the Crimson Bolt, from the characters constant over-exaggerated actions to his periods of immense depression, Wilson delivers a very physical performance. Rainn Wilson makes us sympathise with a character that is doing wrong, constantly. From beating the bad out of people for skipping the line to lying to every single person he knows. He feels as if he is genuinely not doing anything wrong. Ellen Page takes a complete left turn from her usual character type, becoming the psychotic delusional sidekick to The Crimson Bolt.
Despite the positives, the film is tonally inconsistent, with a multitude of tonal shifts throughout, that can often be jarring and flusters the audience. The film also tackles some very sensitive issues a bit too comedically (if you've watched the film you would know INSTANTLY what I'm referencing).
At face value, this film feels as if it is a silly unnecessarily dark superhero film with no deeper meaning, but the film is rich in meaning. It criticises what determines right and wrong, as well as digging into depression and religion. A film I highly recommend for everyone to watch! My new favourite superhero - The Crimson Bolt