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What it's about:
Superhelde follows a group of friends who hang out at a comic book store, Dimensie Komieks, every day. For Albert (Ivan Botha), Peet (Neil Sharim), Monique (Ciske Kruger Botha), Saskia (Lelia Estebeth) and Wayne (Solomon Cupido), the store is a home away from home, a place where they can live in their imaginations, be themselves and read comics all day long. That is, until JJ (Andrew Thompson) goes on a mission to blow up their beloved store and turn it into a parking lot. The characters quickly come up with a few schemes to raise enough money to buy it back. However, there are powers that be and secrets untold that keep them from achieving their goal.
What we thought:
So… the guys from Bakgat are back.
Afrikaans films have come a long way, and so have filming equipment and technological advances. But unfortunately the way a film is shot or looks does not make up for a broken storyline or crappy humour.
Superhelde is like Scott Pilgrim vs The World meets Kick-Ass, or rather it tries to be. It’s all speech bubbles and comic book animation when the characters have an epiphany or when they’re working on their plan to save the comic book store. And I have to give it to producer Danie Bester for taking the leap and doing this, because someone had to do it first in South Africa, right?
Well, the animation is really not that bad, but it’s where and how often it’s used in the film that doesn’t make sense. There are quite a few WTF moments. The storyline just doesn’t flow. It’s like they try to fill the plot holes with the animation, but instead the animation ends up being just that: something just to pass the time while nothing of consequence happens.
To be honest, the biggest highlight of the film is the music. Some of South Africa’s top new Afrikaans bands like MK Award winners Die Tuindwergies, Glaskas and Dans Dans Lisa are featured in the film.
If you did like Bakgat, or if you are still in high school, you will probably enjoy this film. But if not, rather just buy the soundtrack.
Superhelde follows a group of friends who hang out at a comic book store, Dimensie Komieks, every day. For Albert (Ivan Botha), Peet (Neil Sharim), Monique (Ciske Kruger Botha), Saskia (Lelia Estebeth) and Wayne (Solomon Cupido), the store is a home away from home, a place where they can live in their imaginations, be themselves and read comics all day long. That is, until JJ (Andrew Thompson) goes on a mission to blow up their beloved store and turn it into a parking lot. The characters quickly come up with a few schemes to raise enough money to buy it back. However, there are powers that be and secrets untold that keep them from achieving their goal.
What we thought:
So… the guys from Bakgat are back.
Afrikaans films have come a long way, and so have filming equipment and technological advances. But unfortunately the way a film is shot or looks does not make up for a broken storyline or crappy humour.
Superhelde is like Scott Pilgrim vs The World meets Kick-Ass, or rather it tries to be. It’s all speech bubbles and comic book animation when the characters have an epiphany or when they’re working on their plan to save the comic book store. And I have to give it to producer Danie Bester for taking the leap and doing this, because someone had to do it first in South Africa, right?
Well, the animation is really not that bad, but it’s where and how often it’s used in the film that doesn’t make sense. There are quite a few WTF moments. The storyline just doesn’t flow. It’s like they try to fill the plot holes with the animation, but instead the animation ends up being just that: something just to pass the time while nothing of consequence happens.
To be honest, the biggest highlight of the film is the music. Some of South Africa’s top new Afrikaans bands like MK Award winners Die Tuindwergies, Glaskas and Dans Dans Lisa are featured in the film.
If you did like Bakgat, or if you are still in high school, you will probably enjoy this film. But if not, rather just buy the soundtrack.
