Super focuses on the honest but strange Frank D’arbo, played by Rainn Wilson and the transformation he makes to The Crimson Bolt in order to win back his recovering drug addict wife Sarah (Liv Tyler) from drug dealer and all-round awful human Jacques (Kevin Bacon). With the help of his side-kick Boltie, a borderline insane comic book clerk named Libby (Ellen Page), the Crimson Bolt attempts to attack wrong-doers with a wrench and his made up catch phrase SHUT UP CRIME.
Before you jump to any conclusions of this being a ‘Kick-Ass’ rip off, this script was actually written eight years before the ‘Kick-Ass’ movie and six years before the comic. Super is a straight to DVD independent movie with an all star cast who worked for very little. It one of those unique films that contains a beautiful combination of gory violence and heartfelt spirit.
Unlike most superhero films the superhero is not born out of a desire to protect the public or as revenge to a criminal. As writer and director James Gunn pointed out it is more about a guy “who’s on his own sort of spiritual quest and he just happens to wear a superhero costume during it”.
Super has already become a cult hit, in the sense that some may not get its appeal or twisted sense of humour. The genius lies in Gunn’s ability to create a disturbing, weirdly funny and heart-felt movie from the simplistic idea of a man that attacks people with a wrench.
Rainn Wilson gives an incredible performance as the Crimson Bolt and there really is no one who could have played him better. His intensity, awkwardness and blatant honesty are Wilson’s bread and butter.
I won’t be alone in thinking Ellen Page is awesome, not just in this movie but in general. You wouldn’t expect someone of her movie star status to appear in some messed up independent movie, but she plays the blood-thirsty and eccentric Libby to perfection. Even the soundtrack brilliantly captures each moment. Hats off to Tyler Bates for the film score.
Although this is now one of my favourite movies, it is definitely not for everyone. It’s weird and if you’re looking for your basic good versus evil movie this one might freak you out. But if you’re a fan of the little bit strange, or even want to see Dwight from the Office clobber people with a wrench this is definitely the movie for you.
Declan Marron
