SUPER; Carlisle's Final Word

"Shut up, crime!"
Frank D'Arbo (Super, 2010)

dispensing a fairly unique brand of justice.

Script Logic; 1/2

Pace; 2/2

Acting; 1/2

Aesthetic; 1/2

Originality & Intention; 2/2

Final Score; 7/10

Final Word: It's inevitable that this will always be compared to Kick-Ass, and to be fair that is a fair comparison. However, despite all of Kick-Ass' non-studio credential and child-swearing controversy, Kick-ass is by far a much 'safer' film: Super is, comparatively speaking, Kick-Ass demented twin. Still, that 'demented twin' is actually pretty good company, although you wouldn't introduce him to your parents... 

Sure, I'll admit that Super is a bit rough-around-the-edges, morally patchy and shockingly brutal in parts, but it's an entertaining film for those who can stomach it... And I do mean 'brutal'. There is much satisfaction to be had, as with God Bless America, in seeing the tortured-outcast dispensing heavy-handed justice on those 'crimes' he sees in the world around him. Interestingly in this instance, the protagonist is perhaps a bit less likeable and a lot more 'troubled' than you'd expect; his moral compass defiantly ain't pointing North. The scene outside the cinema had me in hysterics, as did the 'falling brick' scene, but I'd imagine they're just as likely to cause open-mouthed disbelief as amusement. At least the main villains here are nasty enough to deserve their bloody comeuppance, even if you sympathise with some of the less deserving. 

Anyway, funny as I may find it, this is humor at it's darkest, and not all of it in the best possible taste. If you're broad-minded, in the mood for something a little less mainstream and are tired of the usual superhero fare, you could do much worse than to check out this much overlooked gem.

GOD BLESS AMERICA; Carlisle's Final Word.

“Why quit now? You kill yourself, Frank, and you're killing the wrong person, which would be a shame when there are so many other Chloes out there who need to die.”

Roxy.

Script Logic; 2/2

Pace; 1/2

Acting; 1/2

Aesthetic; 1/2

Originality & Intention; 2/2

Final Score; 7/10

Final Word; Savage, uncompromising, uncomfortable, spiteful- but also a darkly amusing take on today's media-led and vacuous society. Eccentric comedian and director Bobcat Goldthwait has always divided audiences with his often troubling subjects, and this ungodly hybrid of Serial Mom and Thelma & Louise is no exception. Admittedly, and much like Super (a film with which it has many parallels) sometimes it looses its way, suffers from a scatter-shot pace and by the time it reaches its climax God Bless America leaves you feeling, well, a little hollow- like perhaps the film never quite reached the gratifying and maniacal heights that it had set out for... Joel Murray and Tara Lynn Barr excel as the two misanthropic lead characters; outcasts thrust together on a bloody road-trip, dispencing justice 'as they see it', but most of the other performances are made-for-television flat.
Still, I rather enjoyed it, in a scabrous kind of a way, although possibly more than any 'sane' member of society should have. I just wish I'd to enjoyed it more.