I recently had the pleasure of seeing the film Super, I missed this in theatres (not enough time, not enough money) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have actually watched it twice now that it has entered heavy rotation on cable. It got me to thinking about about another film that I enjoyed thoroughly, Kickass, that seems in some ways similar, but in others very different.
Kick Ass was a romp, sure it was bloody, sure it was brutal, and yes 12 year old girl calls someone a cunt right before brutally murdering them. But thematically, it was a standard super hero movie, basically it was R rated spiderman played more for laughs and shock. I will always enjoy Kick Ass for Hit Girl, Nic Cage channelling Adam West, a bit of the ultra-violence and the wonderfully stolen John Murphy score. But it is not a movie I am eager to revisit. Yes there are some very cool, highly entertaining segments, but it just does not resonate the way Super does.
Super is just fucking great. Rain Wilson (who I thought was a 1 trick pony) was amazing. Pathetic, vindictive, self righteous, he and the Seth Rogen character from Observe and Report could be first cousins. Ellen Page was equally demented and twisted as Bolty (was this character dreamed up as a direct criticism of Hit Girl?). The violence is raw and disgusting, exhilerating and abhorent. The hero's journey is not triumphant. When Kevin Bacon asks if stabbing him to death will really change the world, Wilsons response was 'I don't know but I have to try', but I think a more honest response would be 'I dont care, I just really want to fucking kill you'. I think this film is actually more true to some of the themes of Watchmen than the cinematic version was. Travis Bickle as super hero, do yourself a favor and check this out.
In retrospect, I would have to say that Super is the movie I would watch again and again. So many moments, from the talking puke, to Page's bizarre sexy dance, to Wilson smashing Rookers head to pulp, the childish cartoons and the uncarring world the characters inhabit. Now I just need to check out Defender.
