Frank's (Rainn Wilson) wife Sarah (Liv Tyler) leaves him for another
man, gangster/clubowner Jacques (Kevin Bacon) - and it shatters him, not
only because he has lost the love of his life, but also because she's a
recovering drug addict, and Jacques is able to offer her a constant supply
of drugs. He tries to get her back more than once, but not only does she
not want to return, Jacques also has power - and he has men to beat Frank
up. One night though, Frank believes he is touched by the finger of God
(voiced by Rob Zombie) and has gotten a mission to become a superhero.
With the help of comicstore shopclerk Libby (Ellen Page), he learns
everything there is to know about superheroing, but his first exploits as
superhero Crimson Bolt are nothing short of pathetic, and it takes him
quite a while to figure everything out. Libby soon figures out Crimson
Bolt is really Frank, but he denies everything for a long time. Then
though, after breaking into Jacques's premises and overhearing a
conversation not meant for his ears, he finds himself on the run from
Jacques's men, who are now intent on shooting him dead, and they seriously
injure him. Since they know where he lives, Frank can't return back home
and thus asks Libby for abode. She is happy to help out because for her
he's a comicbook hero come to life, and she nurses him the best she can
(not very good) ... and pretty much forces him to make her his kid
sidekick Boltie. Her ideas of superheroing though are crude at best, and
repeatedly Frank has to keep her from killing minor offenders. But then
she saves his life when two of Jacques's bodyguards are gunning for him.
She also pretty much rapes him though ... Eventually, Frank and Libby
get ready to raid Jacques's home, they arm themselves to the teeth, but on
bullet-proof wests, and go in guns blazing - which sounds like fun until
Libby gets half her head blown away. Still, Frank moves on with his
mission, and not a moment too soon, as his totally drugged up wife, whom
Jacques has pretty much given up anyways, is about to be raped by one of
his business associates. Ultimately, Frank kills everyone on sight, blows
the place up and saves his wife ... Sarah gets back on track after all
the events, turns her life around, quits drugs for good this time ... and
leaves Frank for good after about two months. She marries another man and
has four children - and these four children make everything worthwhile for
Frank in retrospect ... A fat guy becoming an unlikely
superhero - now this concept could have resulted in an annoyingly moronic
and jokefree comedy (as it often has in the past), but Super is
different inasmuch as the fat jokes are kept to an absolute minimum,
instead the focus is put on telling a story that has heart but refrains
from becoming cheesy, and that features enough twists and turns to keep
one interested. And the fact that the film's humour is biting, off-beat
and intelligent doesn't hurt too much either, nor does a very competent
cast - especially Rainn Wilson's rather subtle and Ellen Page's energetic
performances really make the day. In all, pretty good entertainment!
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