James Gunn is not your typical figurehead for a tent pole, big budget superhero blockbuster.
Rather than glamorizing the Crimson Bolts (Wilson) journey, Gunn punctuates it with indecision and psychosis.
But here, aliens are strippers and interstellar planetary prisons are nudie clubs.
We dont open on a superhero righting wrongs and beating evil in the most intimidating fashion.
Instead, we get him moonwalking to choreographed beats while he simply has fun.
In the same way,Guardianspost-credits sequence breaks expectations and goes against the norm.
Connecting all of this to the budget, Gunn is a hands-on filmmaker.
The music is essential to the DNA of both of these films.
Its no coincidence that so many of the songs on his mix are about escape.
Elsewhere inSuper,we see Frank finding comfort and hiding in the fantasy sequences of the Christian-based Holy Avenger.
These visual equivalents of having the rug pulled out from under you are everywhere.
With Peter Quill, Star-Lord is just a name.
Franks identity as the Crimson Bolt isnt whats important.
Most of the people hes up against even know who he is.
This is a necessary division point.
Frank is by himself.
He even has this anti-Peter Parker-esque psychotic voice over that is constantly running through his head.
This is because Frank, and to a lesser extent, Peter Quill, are both heroes throughdelusion.
Frank, in a much more literal sense, and with Quill, he almost wills it into existence.
Theres no context for this, and there doesnt need to be.
Again, are we seeing a superhero get born here, or a serial killer?
Is the only difference the costume?
you’re free to twist anything into an emblematic mantra with meaning if you try hard enough.
The first time Frank ends up (assumedly) killing someone, and hes not even fighting evil.
Hes hurting a line-cutter over pettiness.
Frank isnt chosen, hes just channel surfing.
Franks visions through his life are unfounded.
This isnotteamwork; its a lonely story.
The Guardians even defeat Ronan by the power of their teamcollectivelyjoining hands.
Again Gunn is tricking you into getting a major emotional moment out of nonsense.
He had something, and now he doesnt.
Its crucial to realize that at no point inSuperis Frank displayed in a generous, powerful light.
Hes finally made it.
Or the bluntness in crashing an entire space ship into someone just to kill them.
InSuper,people are literally getting rapidly stabbed as they burn to death.
Its all overkill (literally) but its all about the presentation.
However, Kick-Ass and Hit-Girlareseen as heroes.
They inspire a movement, and go out with support and solidarity behind them.
Just like the Guardians.
This bloodbath inSuperis typically not the sort of fodder that you equate with the superhero genre.
Superends on an optimistic note, in spite of its bleakness.
Frank even tells you to question what youre seeing through all of this, and you should.
I mean, hes even made Howard the Duck cool again.
Like us onFacebookand follow us onTwitterfor all news updates related to the world of geek.
AndGoogle+, if thats your thing!
