Movie Review: My Super Ex-Girlfriend

Not to be outdone by Owen, Luke Wilson comes with a romantic comedy of his own to wompete with You, Me, and Dupree. The said fact exists, that for as mediocre as Owen's film is, Luke's doesn't even reach that level.

Do you even sit in the theater waiting for the movie to kick into gear? Then you glance at your watch and realize that time is fast running out, and the hopes that the movie can pull out of its tailspin is reaching critical mass. Well, that is what it was like watching My Super Ex-Girlfriend. I kept waiting for something other than the star to take off, for the story to really become something worthy of paying attention too. Of course, I did not go in with terribly high expectations, but a guy can hope, can't he?

I like the concept, it would have to be tough for a superhero's alter ego to enter into any serious relationship. The idea of a potentially emotionally repressed superhero, used to dealing with potentially world threatening circumstances trying to relate on a more personal level. Of course, problems escalate as the normal half of the relationship is unable to deal with the super powers, breaks it off, and then the super powered half loses it turns her powers towards getting back at the ex. There is so much potential for comedy there, not to mention interesting characters with which to populate said world, the requisite co-workers and super-villains.

Sadly, any potential that the concept had for a good movie was thrown out the window in favor of a movie that barely scratches the surface. The characters were sacrificed in favor of a few mildly comedic setups. It was as if any time they got close to something good, they had to cut and move on to something else.

The movie follows Matt Saunders (Luke Wilson), who enters a relationship with the repressed librarian type, Jenny Johnson (Uma Thurman), who also happens to be the superheroine G-Girl. At first all goes well, but Jenny turns out to be a little possessive and unable to properly relate to her boyrfriend. He learns her secret and he can't handle it. Soon enough, he breaks up with her, and she uses her powers to make his life a living hell.

There is also the requisite villain, Professor Bedlam (Eddie Izzard), who is integral to the movie, but doesn't integrate all that well with the movie. Also along for the ride is Matt's friend, a rather self-centered man with no reason to be so, Vaughn (Rainn Wilson). Lastly, there is the other woman, who poses a threat to our super powered girl, Hannah (Anna Farris). Sadly, none of the characters feel fully formed, nor are they used to their potential.

The movie, rather than actually be good, decides to coast on the effects of the super feats performed, and the things G-Girl does to Saunders for the comedy. I would be lying if I said I wasn't entertained at all, but the story just lurches along from one scene to the next without much connective tissue to stitch them together. I did enjoy the interaction between Wilson and Anna Farris, with the occasional appearance from Wanda Sykes as their boss.

Bottomline. I wanted to enjoy this, I wanted to have fun, but it just wasn't, not really. The story just was not terribly strong, and it just felt very formulaic. I'd recommend looking elsewhere for your romcom fix.

Not Recommended.