Supercon

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Supercon
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that despite its juvenile humor, Supercon isn't for kids. This comedy about a washed-up former child actor, an '80s cop-show star who's now out of the closet, a voice actor (Ryan Kwanten), and a female comic artist (Maggie Grace) who plot to steal the take at a comic convention has constant swearing and crude/sexual language (including "f--k," "ass," and much more). There's also some drug use (cocaine and pills), comically inept violence, and tons of sexual references/gestures (as well as lots of cleavage). Plus a gross-out poop joke that goes on for a long time. Beneath the salty language and over-the-top humor, the movie's attitudes are generally tolerant (the fact that a character is gay, for instance, isn't an issue), but there are still racist jokes about an Asian American boyfriend.
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What's the Story?
In SUPERCON, four low-level pop-culture figures -- a washed-up former child actor (Russell Peters), an '80s cop-show star who's now out of the closet (Brooks Braselman), a voice actor (Ryan Kwanten), and a female comic artist (Maggie Grace) -- plot to steal the take at a comic convention. The villains are Supercon's stingy owner (Mike Epps) and a pampered, mean-guy star (Clancy Brown). After an elder-statesman comic creator (John Malkovich) decides to help the would-be thieves out, all that stands in their way is their own utter incompetence.
Is It Any Good?
There are a few laughs in Supercon, but they're far between. The entire enterprise sags badly -- the movie is only 100 minutes long, but 90 much tighter minutes might have served it better. The premise has promise; Steven Soderbergh's Logan Lucky proved that a sticky tape-and-glue version of his own Ocean's Eleven could be plenty amusing. And anyone who's ever been to a comic convention knows how rich with characters and situations that environment is. Yet Supercon does disappointingly little with its most precious resource -- the fans at the convention. And it relies on relentless repetitions of "f--k" in place of funnier, more surprising language. It is nice to see Kwanten in this rough-and-tumble cool guy role. And Grace is good in everything (interestingly, both she and Kwanten appeared in Hurricane Heist earlier in 2018), and Brown looks like he's having fun twirling his imaginary mustache. But Epps feels wasted, and Malkovich materializes out of nowhere and can't conjure a character from what little he's given.
Supercon has its moments -- like the crew using the convention center's gym as their headquarters because it's the most deserted place at a comic-con. And occasional visual gags work out, such as a cluster of lights going on around Kwanten's head as he gets an idea. Perhaps the highest and weirdest praise the film earns is that the following exchange makes sense in context: "Time for you to grow some great, big, hairy, Harry Potter balls." "With or without cancer?" But beyond that, the film simply doesn't explore its fertile situational ground enough, dig deeply enough for better dialogue, or tighten its screws enough to keep audiences interested.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether they found themselves rooting for the thieves in Supercon. If so, why? Did their plan seem well-thought-out? Justified?
How is this film different from many other heist movies? How is it similar?
In a film with strong language this constant, does the swearing/crude talk get in the way of the story and characters, or does it enhance them?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 27, 2018
- On DVD or streaming: June 5, 2018
- Cast: Ryan Kwanten, Maggie Grace, Mike Epps, Clancy Brown
- Director: Zak Knutson
- Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong crude sexual content throughout, pervasive language, and drug use
- Last updated: June 30, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love comedies
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