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Can True Blood's Ryan Kwanten Save the Superhero Genre in Griff the Invisible?

Usually I'd support Ryan Kwanten in any effort he made to wear novelty costumes, but when it comes to superhero togs, I have to think twice. Can we tolerate another caped crusader -- let alone enjoy one -- after Green Lantern? In Griff the Invisible, Kwanten plays a wannabe comic hero stuck in the real world, and I'm sure we'll learn all about how he's heroic nonetheless. Is it enough of a twist on the familiar tale to warrant a viewing? Trailer and poster follow.

Frankly, yes, there's a weird enough protagonist here who gives me some hope for an unusual, if cloying story. The lack of emerald anything feels like a godsend right now. But here's why the optimism fades: The badinage between our woeful romantics ("I live in a bubble that no one gets into. But you, Griff, you get into my bubble.") is too bubbly, the Aspergian jolts that ring across Kwanten's face seem contrived, and there's a distinct chance this'll be a much-lesser Kick-Ass or Super or whatever other pseudo-hero stories exist. Poster's cute, though.

Griff the Invisible hits select theaters August 19. It's already out in Australia.

Verdict: On the bubble.

[via Apple]