SUPER (2010) [DVD]

Superhero movie/black comedy/character drama/crime thriller. All these labels can be applied to Super. Or you could just call it rather original.Even though some will compare it to  Kick-Ass [DVD ].Both are about people who become costumed crime fighters. And both show that in most cases, anyone who tried to do it would end up on the receiving end of a lot of violence.Super, though, being an independent movie and not some big hollywood release, can go to the areas where film version of Kick Ass couldn't. The darker ones. As such it's more like the graphic novel on which kick ass was based. In that it's dark and twisted and very violent. It also contains strong language and lots of moments of an adult nature.So it's one of those movies you will either love or hate. But if you get what it's trying to do, then you'll love it.Main character Frank is a chef at a diner. He's had two perfect moments in his entire life. One was marrying recovering Drug addict Sarah. But when she falls off the wagon big time and leaves him for a local drug dealer. Frank's world falls apart.Inspired by a tv show about a holy superhero, and visions of the same [these like a few things that happen in here may or may not be real, or just happening in Frank's mind] he becomes a superhero himself. The Crimson Bolt. Slowly learning how to survive when in said role, he needs a weapon or two.What he doesn't necessarily need is a sidekick. But with excitable live for the moment comic store clerk Libby getting in on the act with Frank, he's stuck with one.But with Sarah in peril, and a big drug deal about to go down, and the police on his tail, the Crimson Bolt and his assistant have a few fights on their hands.This is one of those movies where the comedy arises out of the actions of the characters. And thus it's not an out and out comedy and you can't expect laughs every minute. It also is one of the most violent films in a long time. But in that respect it depicts violence as being something that isn't nice and hurts people. As it should. It also pulls no punches in showing the effects of the latter.If you like this film then you will like Frank. Because he's an ordinary man who tries to take control of his life rather than just shrug and turn the other cheek. But even so, one good reason to do the latter is that you might go too far sometimes. As you might find yourself thinking on occasion about Frank's actions here.Yet he does learn and he does take control and in a fairly rousing but very violent finale, you might just be cheering him on.Original, entertaining, funny and very touching with it, this is a superbly original and very memorable piece of film making. Another great thing about it being a low budget independent movie is that it has something not a lot of films squeeze in these days. A proper title sequence. A superbly animated sequence at that. This film may not be for everyone though. You have been advised.The dvd begins with a few trailers. You can skip through these via the next button on the dvd remote. But the menu button won't work whilst these are playing.It has the following language and subtitle options:Languages: English.Subtitles: English.The only extras are the original cinema trailer for the film.And a making of documentary. Which runs for eighteen minutes. And is very good and worth a look.

This film has almost everything I enjoy, dark, well acted, decently written and humorous. It's not a comedy mind you, it just has a few funny lines and physical jokes. It also has Ellen Page. Enough said.If there is anything I think lets it down it has to be the camera work and direction. It just seems a little lacking, as if it was shot with little no eye for composition in places. The content of the film, the writing and acting, is all good it just doesn't really look fantastic. I'm not asking for amazing stuff but some shots looked tilted or were unnecessarily shaky. It could be the look they were going for, in which case they achieved it I guess, but it's not my cup of tea.It does do violence pretty well, it's brutal and realistic. In real life if Rainn Wilson hits you in the face with a wrench you don't get up and you will most likely be sent to hospital. The same is true in the film. It's not one for the squeamish.It's a decent watch but don't go in expecting a comedy or a masterpiece of direction, I went in off the back of a load of hype from friends and initially came away disappointed but thinking back it is actually a fair bit better than my first impression was. Though this sounds like a negative review, it wasn't intended to be, it's just easier to poke at the flaws than it is to hype the good parts. I would recommend it to anyone who likes films that are a little bit off the main Hollywood list but not to fans of Micheal Bay. Definitely worth the £[] it costs at the moment.

This is a tough film to review. I loved it. My Brother who usually enjoys similar films to me did not. He didn't hate it, but couldn't be bothered to see it through to the end. Why such different opinions? Because it's one of those indie films that sets people apart.Don't misunderstand, I'm not a film snob, in fact I'm not usually a fan of anything arthouse, subtitled or 'indie' film oriented. That said, although obviously made on the cheap I never felt like I had to unearth hidden meaning or watch it again to 'get' anything.It's a good little film. Kevin Bacon is great fun as the baddy, I loved the script and I loved the immediate and brutal violence that punctuated its strangely moral tale. The humour was right up my street. It won't appeal to everyone but then again I can't see anyone thinking it's a terrible movie either, because it isn't.I've seen bad movies, cheaply or expensively made with lazy scripts and formulaic snooze filled plots, we all have. This is not one of those. Love it or don't quite love it, I can't believe anyone under the age of 60 will say it isn't an original and interesting piece of work. If you do like it you will bark with unexpected laughter a lot and more than likely end up quoting much of it with like minded individuals for years to come.