Movie Review: Super

Synopsis: After his wife (Liv Tyler) falls under the influence of a drug dealer (Kevin Bacon), an everyday guy (Rainn Wilson) transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions. Though he lacks for heroic skills, he and his trusty sidekick Boltie (Ellen Page) go on a vigilante spree and try to save his wife.

Despite the fact that there have been several similarly themed "super heroes without powers" movies released recently (Kick-Ass, Defendor, Hero At Large, Special) this one is pretty solid with a great cast and dark sense of humor. It's part comedy, part tragedy with some good action, violence and a good dose of character based drama... all rolled into one. There are some serious themes addressed amid the chaos and laughs.

Ellen Page is her usual fantastic self as Boltie, the sidekick, and Rainn Wilson is often sympathetic, psychotic or comical. Usually though he's just sort of "real". I mean here's a man who loses his wife to a scummy drug dealer and (after a holy vision) chooses to help fight crime and bring down the man who stole his wife and save her. Yet suddenly he's beating someone nearly to death for cutting in line. It's a complicated part and he plays it well I think. Dare I say poignant? I dare.

Maybe it's a bit uneven, going from comedy to darkness to serious drama often, but that also does kept me guessing. It's distracting at times though.

It's definitely not mainstream; it's dark humor that some might hate. But it's a fun, twisted little fantasy worth a watch... even if you prefer Kick-Ass (I do).

7.5/10