Synopsis:
I Wish to be a Superhero (Comment je suis devenu super-héros everything) is an Attal Douglas sci-fi and superhero film published in 2021. This is his first feature film. This movie is adapted from the book of the same title by Gérald Bronner. This film is both refreshing and unique in the sense that it offers a different perspective on the superhero theme in Europe and has an odd twist to the french take on superheroes. Unlike American superhero movies that are high-paced and full of chaotic and flashy actions, How I Became A Superhero is more of a grounded, Noir like tale that takes place in an alternative version of Paris where superpowers do exist but are culturally dormant.
The film presents us with France not very far from the present day. It displays a universe with “super-heroes ”, super payload humans who were exclusively and previously the dominion of stories, novels are distinctly tangible in Paris. Superheroes do actually exist. These heroes have long being baked into society. Their glory and reverence spell is over. Now these superheros mingle together with ordinary citizens are actually Super Citizens.The novel considers some of the characters to have become Public Servants while others decadently sink into oblivion.
The story focuses on Police Lieutenant Gary Moreau, played by Pio Marmai, an overworked, burnt-out officer from the film’s beginning suffering the consequences of an increasingly pressured workload that stems from an ongoing investigation involving multiple arsons linked to a new superhuman ability drug. Moreau is soon partnered with Cécile Schaltzmann (Vimala Pons) – a headstrong ambitious young detective eager to pick up the next lead. Together, they delve into the seedy underbelly of the market that buys and sells the drug to vulnerable adolescents, who often face tragic and violent consequences.
As the investigation unfolds, the cracks in Moreau’s carefully constructed demeanor showcase childhood trauma bound by the secrets he has been hiding deep within. He is connected with the new era of superheroes and, unsurprisingly, he used to belong to an ill-fated legendary super-powered group that met its demise at some point. This backstory is crucial when both detectives fall into a sinister trap set by a major villain called Naja, who aims to create an army of superhumans infused with a drug guaranteed to leave them mentally unstable and dangerously aggressive.
To try and stop the distribution of the drug by confronting Naja, Moreau contacts ex-superheroes who had either gone into hiding or were long retired: Monte Carlo, the powerful illusionist; Callista, Moreau’s mentor and a powerful super; and Gigaman, an ex-hero who has long lost his glory. They have to overcome their trauma, guilt, and rifts in their relationships to prevent a notorious new batch of self-aware artificially enhanced super soldiers from going down a self-destructive spiral.
Moreau and his allies try to stop Naja from unleashing his army of zealots before they are able to deal damage in Paris, which is set to be the location of the next catastrophic destruction event. True to the modern day hero movie trope, with a lot of teamwork, self-acceptance, and engages in some good old fashioned hero work, Moreau learns to not only embrace the fact that he is a cop, but that he is a cop with heroic traits.
Cast & Characters:
- Pio Marmaï as Gary Moreau – Moreau is a portrayal of a deeply complicated emotionally charged film detective that Marmaï takes on and adds to the character’s chaotic depth. The duality of not being completely law enforcement nor a reluctant hero means he is required to balance both sides of the character, and do so in a manner where it doesn’t feel scafolded over.
Cecile Schaltzmann – Cecile is a keen, perceptive, and motivated individual. Her engagements with Moreau contribute a great deal to both the spine and the amusing elements of the story. Moreau got a glimpse of how ‘Cecile’ functions as a metaphorical bridge between the policing mundane world and the extraordinary realm of superhero figures.
Vimala Pons as Cécile
Benoît Poelvoorde as Monte Carlo: Monte Carlo is one more curious individual who breathes fresh air to the movie with his sleight of hand trickery and incredibly older than his years perspective. He represents old glory marks gone to husk.
Leila Bekhti as Callista: A critical figure from Moreau’s history, Callista is an emotionally sophisticated character, rich in complexities and reveals the hidden costs of a being a superhero.
Swann Arlaud as Naja: The piece’s villain is Naja, who is charming, yet terrifying all at the same time. She is a victim of societal neglect combined with a powerful obsession.
Direction and Visual Style
How I Became a Superhero is a marvel of film noir directed by Attal, as it pays more attention to the character and worldbuilding rather than action set pieces. It has a very dark and moody tone, with almost everything happening at night or in dim and gloomy urban settings. Unlike other movies that view Paris as a romantic getaway, this one views Paris as a tormented city dealing with power, both literal and metaphorical.
Power is considered more of a dangerous weapon in this film than a flashy superpower, which makes the consequences feel very real. Subtler CGI is used for merging the windows and doors, balconies with the setwalls, while the action is given the balance of practical effects and CGI. Though action sequences are emotionally charged, they are not stylishly done, preserving the narrative’s emotional core, and bringing it to a grounded place.
How I Became a Superhero likes to think itself as some mixture of watchmen and chronicle, hinting at a far more fantastical conception of the marvel universe. It fuses gritty crime drama with speculative fiction for a deeper psychological analysis of legacy morality and the cost of heroism.
As the title suggests, the film does have some redeeming merits. One could say society tends to romanticize the glory of a superpower, forgetting the fact that all power, whether artificial or supernatural, comes at a cost. The youth of our society (or the weaker section, as I like to call them), is indeed sold to and treated as commodities with disregard towards their upbringing. This is what the film seems to focus on. If you take a look at Moreau’s character, he was trust and mentorship, and paint the dynamic of the two. While both are admirable, trust along with mentorship showcases the generational change that over time has needed.”
His army along with Naja gives rise to a plot where the crusade against drug abuse is rationalized alongside the abuse itself—opening the floodgates to the urgent issues of youth extremism, purposelessness, and that single dominant idea masked as a world waiting to be seen by those neglected.
The film equally examines the mental health and trauma of Moreau and Gignaman through the lens of their heroic pasts and the current state of disenchantment they are coming to grips with.
Reception & Critical Response:
When How I Became a Super Hero came out on Netflix, it was mostly well received. People had noticed how the movie’s approach was more grounded, character-driven, and featured powerful performances. Unlike most commercial franchises, critics noted how the superhero-themed film was handled with emotional depth and inventiveness, showcasing creativity.
Several reviewers had issues with p; pacing, especially in the second act where backstory exposition and characterization nearly halts the plot. Others mentioned that although several interesting concepts were presented, the film did not explore them deeply enough. Regardless, the film has been noted for trying to infuse a European perspective into a genre largely dominated by American studios.
Conclusion:
How I Became a Super Hero stood out to me because of how much I appreciated its attempts to explore the humanity within each character by blending film noir, emotional storytelling, and speculative fiction. Rather than flashy specials associated with the superhero genre, the movie more respectfully approached its characters – their flaws, relationships, and broader themes of power, responsibility, and what it means to be human.
This film features real world difficulties, adding emotional layers, and takes a bold stand on conventional superhero films. Instead of offering jaw dropping spectacles, this work presents something significantly more important: a story of redemption and legacy highlighting the brave act of facing the haunting past in order to protect the future. Whether you are a superhero enthusiast or a casual viewer, How I Became a Super Hero is an incredibly profound experience that examines humanity on a deep level, and is exceptionally worthwhile.
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