This movie had promise. The first hour, give or take, had enough going for it to keep me involved. It is quirky. From the hand-held camera work to the low tech animation and effects, I was in. The violence is over the top and unrealistic which works in this movie for that first hour. In the last part, the writers veer off course and it feels like a bait and switch. This viewer was left confused and feeling like I had to not only catch up to what they were doing, but to completely reevaluate these characters.
Rainn Wilson is able to create a sympathetic if eccentric character in Frank. He sells the dramatic parts as well as the comedy. There are some truly laugh-out-loud parts in that first hour. Frustratingly, something happens to the story at a certain point. It has been described as dark. I would say it was offensive. When the movie is being absurd, I can buy in. When it tries to take me from absurd to a more "real" place, I cannot. In that last half hour though, there are two different scenes that depict very devastating events in a very realistic manner within minutes of one another. Neither of which was essential to the story. The movie lost me there.
The actors put a lot into this movie and they are all watchable. Nathan Fillion and Linda Cardellini are wasted as their collective parts last about 3 or 4 minutes. They shine when either is on the screen. Kevin Bacon is fantastic and Liv Tyler does a nice job. I was happy to see Michael Rooker as well. It disappointed me that the writers appeared to have a thought toward giving his character some depth and then pulled the rug out from under him. I was able to assimilate Ellen Page's incredibly over the top portrayal of a wannabe sidekick even with her undesirable characteristics, until it got too "real." Overall, this movie's message is simply not strong enough and seems to only act as bookends for the movie as a whole. The plot and events in between do not communicate that message and so it doesn't really pay off. This viewer was left feeling embarrassed for laughing at some of the earlier parts in light of the last half hour. Not a superhero genre movie and not strong enough to be a social commentary.
Rainn Wilson is able to create a sympathetic if eccentric character in Frank. He sells the dramatic parts as well as the comedy. There are some truly laugh-out-loud parts in that first hour. Frustratingly, something happens to the story at a certain point. It has been described as dark. I would say it was offensive. When the movie is being absurd, I can buy in. When it tries to take me from absurd to a more "real" place, I cannot. In that last half hour though, there are two different scenes that depict very devastating events in a very realistic manner within minutes of one another. Neither of which was essential to the story. The movie lost me there.
The actors put a lot into this movie and they are all watchable. Nathan Fillion and Linda Cardellini are wasted as their collective parts last about 3 or 4 minutes. They shine when either is on the screen. Kevin Bacon is fantastic and Liv Tyler does a nice job. I was happy to see Michael Rooker as well. It disappointed me that the writers appeared to have a thought toward giving his character some depth and then pulled the rug out from under him. I was able to assimilate Ellen Page's incredibly over the top portrayal of a wannabe sidekick even with her undesirable characteristics, until it got too "real." Overall, this movie's message is simply not strong enough and seems to only act as bookends for the movie as a whole. The plot and events in between do not communicate that message and so it doesn't really pay off. This viewer was left feeling embarrassed for laughing at some of the earlier parts in light of the last half hour. Not a superhero genre movie and not strong enough to be a social commentary.