Super (2010)
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48% of critics liked it
(113 reviews) -
56% of users liked it
(19,534 ratings)
In the outlandish dark comedy SUPER, James Gunn has created what is perhaps the definitive take on self-reflexive superheroes. When sad-sack loser Frank (Rainn Wilson) sees his ex-addict wife (Liv Tyler) willingly snatched by a seductive drug dealer (Kevin Bacon), he finds himself bereft and wholly… More In the outlandish dark comedy SUPER, James Gunn has created what is perhaps the definitive take on self-reflexive superheroes. When sad-sack loser Frank (Rainn Wilson) sees his ex-addict wife (Liv Tyler) willingly snatched by a seductive drug dealer (Kevin Bacon), he finds himself bereft and wholly unable to cope. But soon he decides to fight back under the guise of a DIY superhero called Crimson Bolt. With a hand-made suit, a wrench, and a crazed sidekick named Boltie (Ellen Page), the Crimson Bolt beats his way through the mean streets of crime in hopes of saving his wife. The rules were written a long time ago: You are not supposed to molest children, cut lines or key cars; if you do, prepare to face the wrath of the Crimson Bolt! No stranger to rebel filmmaking, James Gunn cut his teeth writing for Troma before making his directing debut with 2006's SLITHER. In a similar vein, his follow-up feature combines absurd humor with balls-out violence to create something that is both unashamed and inimitable. But this time Gunn adds a new ingredient, one that is dark, dramatic and subversive to the core. -- (c) IFC Films
- Directed By
- James Gunn
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Apr 1, 2011 Limited
- Studio
- IFC Midnight
Critic Reviews
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Trevor Johnston, Time Out
Offers genuine empathy with the put-upon protagonist's longing for justice, yet plays the bloody ramifications for cartoonish fun.
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Tom Long, Detroit News
Super just doesn't fly.
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Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader
This movie is too pedestrian for camp, and too scattershot for an action comedy.
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John Hartl, Seattle Times
A sense of style can make up for a lot at the movies. But James Gunn's brutal new comedy-thriller, "Super," succeeds only in demonstrating that without it, you may not have much of anything.
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Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Could be endearing, if Wilson's performance weren't so nihilistically dull, and if there were somebody in the picture who had a soul.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Rainn Wilson
as Frank, Frank Darbo, Frank/Crimson Bolt
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Ellen Page
as Boltie, Libby
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Liv Tyler
as Sarah
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Kevin Bacon
as Jacques
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Michael Rooker
as Abe
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Andre Royo
as Hamilton
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William Katt
as Sgt. Fitzgibbon
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Sean Gunn
as Toby
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Stephen Blackehart
as Quill
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Don Mac
as Mr. Range
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Linda Cardellini
as Pet Store Employee
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Nathan Fillion
as The Holy Avenger
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Gerardo Davilla
as Cop
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Grant S. Goodman
as Young Frank
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Paul Taylor
as Frank Sr.
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Connor Day
as Teenage Frank
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James Gunn
as Demonswill
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Mikaela Hoove
as Holly
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Nick Holmes
as Jim
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Matt Moore
as Jesus/Guy in Line
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Rob Zombie
as Voice of God
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Steve Agee
as Comic Book Store Jerk
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Laurel Whisett
as Librarian
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Nate Rubin
as Passenger Teen
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Edrick Browne
as Nathaniel
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Danny Cosmo Higginbottom
as Purse-Snatcher
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Krystal Mayo
as Wheelchair Woman
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Russell Towery
as Chickenhawk
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Mario Jiminez
as Chicken
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Jonathan Winkler
as Transvestite
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Mollie Milligan
as Sarah's Sister
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Gerry May
as Newscaster
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Valentine Miele
as Line Butter
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Michelle Gunn
as Line Butter's Girlfriend
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Darcel Moreno
as Waitress
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Greg Ingram
as Long-Haired Hood
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Lindsey Soileau
as Libby's Friend
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Brandon Belknap
as Christian
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Zach Gilford
as Jerry
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Lloyd Kaufman
as 911 Man
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Tim J. Smith
as Range's Technician
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Mark de Alessandro
as Thug Jumped on by Boltie
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Cole McKay
as Thug Set on Fire
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Dominic Labanca
as Thug #1
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John W. Lawson
as Thug Missing Arms
- Gregg Henry








