Surprisingly good (SPOILER ALERT)

Rating: 8/10 (7 December 2008)

I have read a number of reviews which more or less say that it was a great idea but poorly executed. I don't entirely agree; while I would've liked more clarity at the end as to the origins of Theron's and Smith's characters, I think it was very touching and certainly carried more emotional heft and provoked more curiosity than the average "superhero" movie. Critics have commented on the low-quality special effects and it didn't seem that way to me. I appreciated the novelty of a screwed up superhero and an uncynical PR man, and the "knowing looks" of Theron's character lent intrigue to the story. The nature of their relationship, though, granted, not clearly explained, hinted at some mythological, tragic scale of brother-sister/twins/soul mates in a "write your own explanation" sort of way. While the picture was not flawless (and the "head up the a--" threat was carried out far too literally), it lingers on the mind far more than most action movies offered up for entertainment these days.