Spoiler Free: Super (2011)

This year’s SXSW Film Festival brought forth a dark, action comedy by the name of Super. This film has a fantastic cast and was written by James Gunn, the writer of my favorite zombie flick, Dawn of the Dead (2004). The cast and writer alone had me Jonesing to see this film so it was extra orgasmic when I found out that it was about an ordinary guy who decides to become a superhero to save his wife from drug dealers.

Rainn Wilson stars as Frank D’Arbo, a not so special, kind of a loser guy who married way out of his league hottie of a wife, Sarah (Liv Tyler), who gets hooked on drugs and falls under the influence of a dealer, Jacques (Kevin Bacon). When Sarah leaves Frank, he decides to become a superhero, Crimson Bolt, to fight crime and to save his wife. He unwillingly picks up a vivacious sidekick, Libby/Boltie (Ellen Page) who helps him save his wife.

Ellen Page ruled Super! Her performance was energetic and spot on. Boltie exhibited guts mixed with a healthy portion of craziness to give the audience a loveable, funny, yet empowering female character. And now I totally have a girl crush on Boltie. All the other actors did a great job, but Page stole the show.

Now, how was the action? Though there wasn’t a ton of it, what action it had was brutal and in your face! James Gunn definitely didn’t pull any punches or tone it down in any way. The quality was great, but the quantity was lacking. However, where the action was lacking, the comedy filled in to keep you entertained.

Super is not the ordinary superhero film and really it was quite weird, but in a good way for the geeks and nerds out there. It’s similar to Kick Ass, only for grown ups, focusing on older characters with grown up problems. I loved it. Super comes out in theaters April 1, 2011. And now, I’ll leave you with a quote from Crimson Bolt: Shut up, Crime!

Action Rating: 2 Blood Splattered Wrenches, out of 5.

Illustration by Alex Langley. Rocket Llama World Headquarters

This is the Action Flick Chick, and you’ve just been kicked in the ass!