Kapow! Super Review

Editors Note: My apologies for Kapow! Coverage being late. But due to a family emergency I have been away from my notes and computers, though I can now confirm I am an Uncle. No pressure on me I guess!

When the organizers of Kapow! announced "Movie-X", hopes were high. Rumours (fed by not only the organizers but the promoters involved) mislead and warped the hopes of people. Thor, X-men, Captain America and Green Lantern were franchises brought up as people pationtly waited in queue for up to 2 hours. When it wasn't any of these films, people were upset. The next 5 minutes, however, changed the minds and hearts of audiences. Groans turned into laughter and cheers.

Super will be one of the best films you will see in 2011. Click after the jump, and you'll find out why.

Super is a simple story. After his wife Sarah (Liz Tyler) hooks up with a smooth-talking drug dealer named Jacques (Kevin Bacon), Frank (Rainn Wilson) transforms himself into superhero "The Crimson Bolt". Libby (Ellen Page), a local comic book store employee, transforms herself into a superheroine named "Boltie" and becomes Frank's sidekick.

The first comparison is obvious; what is this like compared to Kick-Ass? It really was everything Kick-ass was trying to be. I love the Comic/Movie, but it wasn't realistic as they intended it to be in my opinion. This movie doesn't have a Big-Daddy, or a Hit-Girl. This film is just two wannabes teaming up because the world has wronged them, and it's fantastic. The dark humour works much better. If Kick-Ass is the perfect comic look at realistic heroes, this is the perfect movie look at realistic heroes.

Watching The Crimson Bolt hit people with his pipe-wrench of justice doesn't get dull, or boring. It just gets darker and funnier, but also very emotional. Frank's misery, although very slapstick in nature, is made oddly sympathetic by the amazing acting by Rainn Wilson. You just have to applaud him as he hospitalized the asshole who cuts in line and acts like an asshole when asked to get to the back, especially after witnessing this across the board during the weekend. You secretly want to do it, but you never will. Its so fulfilling watching this scene, and many others, for that alone.
The Office may have it's tight grip around his career, but I hope he leaves soon because the guy can act, and I really want to see him in more roles outside of God (Why, Michael Bay, WHY did you include him in Transformers 2?) and the tool you love to hate within that office environment.

Ellen Page also makes this film. She has the heart and soul of Hit-Girl, but without the skills or no-how. She plays the socially active comic book nerd who introduces Frank into the superhero world. And with a huge supporting cast, it's hard to select which cameo or minor role is my favorite. Though, a certain musician Zombie playing a certain Diety makes for one of the best moments of the film.

In a few short words, the film reminded me of was a Busted Pixel Kick-Ass sketch, extended out for 90 minutes. If you love the humour of our own sketch comedy group, you will fall in love with this film. It doesn't feel forced, and the gore is in check (until the third act, then s**t goes down).

Each actor brings something different to the role. Nathan Fillion's scenes are just fantastic, and each actor glows when they appear on screen. You can tell everyone is having fun and enjoying the experence.
Tyler Bates soundtrack was masterful. You could really hear the influences from his major flicks, like with his Watchmen soundtrack. The song choices are well selected.
The only complaint I had was that this film loses it message in the midst of the violence and a orgy of blood which makes for amazing humour, it sometimes feels like the message (as well as it works), is sometimes forced in without any real consequence. Sometimes, the answer "It's for the greater good" just doesn't work even if the mission is a Blues Brother type "mission of God."

This film will be gain an underground cult following, but it really needs to be watched now. I see the real life super-heroes, and all I can imagine is the situation being exactly the same as this film. You will love this film, because it's jokes and charm make for an amazing flick. And it's the goriest flick I've seen in a while.

So what is left to say? I recommend this film, as I, and the Kapow! panels forgot about a Superhero with a silly name and a cloak as we got absorbed into the life of another Superhero with a funny name and a cloak. Plus this had Ellen Page.