Feb 26: Super

"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."

  A guy named Frank (Rain Wilson) has an absolutely f**ked up dream about God himself reaching down and touching him, calling him to become a homemade superhero and fight crime in his little down. He soon gains a sidekick in the psychopathic Libby (Ellen Page) and the two roam the streets and practically kill the criminals they run into. The entire adventure is crazy and oh so violent, as two completely delusional people think they have what it takes to be heroes. Super is as though Napoleon Dynamite and Kick-Ass had a born-to-be institutionalized and rather aggressive love child. 

Vote for Pedro- or get torn to shreds by a gattling gun attached to a jet-pack

   Rain Wilson is perfect in the role, given the material. He plays unhinged and psychotic very well and his downward spiral into his madness and obsession is interesting to watch. Super has an interesting story, but its execution is messy and just a little too f**ked up. We are actually watching a completely delusional man run around beating people to death with a wrench and it's more disturbing than anything else. Any heartfelt emotion we should feel for Frank goes out the window immediately and you hope it'll all end with his demise or incarceration. He's not a character you can root for and neither is his maniac sidekick. Super is simply a slideshow of the weird and the violent, but not in a good way. 

It all actually becomes a little too hard to watch. 

  Overall, Super could have been something great but falls completely apart along the way. With very unlikable characters and a completely delusional lead, the only emotion the film elicits is uncomfortable frustration. The violence is over-the-top, but instead of a fun, wow factor a la Kill Bill or Kick-Ass, it's just disturbing. The acting, I suppose, is good, but the script given to Wilson and the rest just gives the characters no depth. I will admit I chuckled at a few moments throughout Super and parts are enjoyable, but I couldn't confidently recommend it as a good movie. 

The Good:

Rain Wilson fitting the part, even though his character's a tool

The Bad:

messy plot, that's rather depressing, and a story so detached from emotion you keep checking how much time is left before it's over

The Ugly:

violence that instead of being "glorified" and fun, is just too sadistic to take lightly

Overall: 5.1/10

Best Quote:

Libby: "Whoa, what are those?" 
Frank D'Arbo: "I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. If I am... bombs." 

Watch These Instead:

Kick-Ass, because it does what the title states

Defendor, Woody Harrelson attempting to be his own kind of hero

And, of course, anything Batman, except Batman & Robin... we don't talk about that one