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Perhaps no other superhero-cum-film version has had a more storied past than "Superman Returns." From budget problems, to mis-conceptions, to robotic costumes, to giant spiders, this franchise has seen it all come and go throughout the last twenty years. The fact that this newest filmed version of the Man of Steel turned out to be even moderately good is somewhat of a miracle. In fact, it is a miracle that "Returns" turned out being very, very, very good... but not great.
Superman has been missing for five years... and so has Clark Kent... but more on that later. Anyhoo, an interesting point is brought up in this new sequel: what if a world that had gotten used to having a super man always save the day one day lacked its hero? And what if this same hero dissapeared not for a day, but five whole years? Many would give up hope.
And that is exactly what intrepid reporter Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has done. In fact, a Pultizer-winning article she writes even suggests that the world is better off without him. She is so fine without him, that she even gets married (to ex-X-Man James Mardsen) and has a kid. Of course, as the title implies, Superman (Brandon Routh) does indeed return. In fact, he shows up at just the right moment, as notorious villian Lex Luthor (the oh-so-excellent Kevin Spacey) is back with a brand new scheme to create death, destruction, and revenue.
Right off the bat, kudos has to go to the casting decisions in this one. While Routh does a very good job at keeping the film together as the title character, the real star here is Spacey. Channeling part Gene Hackman and part, well... Kevin Spacey, this Luthor is funny when he has to be and an absolute danger when he needs to be. The biggest surprise, though, goes to Bosworth. I was extremely skeptical at the idea of her filling in for Margot Kidder. Fortunately (or unfortunately as some may and will say), Kate does her own thing and creates a character that is more like the Fleischer cartoon version of Lane than the Kidder Lane. Either way, the important part is that I found her believable, and she worked for me.
Surprisingly, the action in this one is sparse. In fact, I would say this is more of an important character study than a Summer action epic. However, what scenes of destruction are shown are quite well done and handeled ably by "X-Men" director and 20th Century Fox enemy Bryan Singer. An early scene (that is shown prominently in the trailers) of Supes rescuing a plummeting, powerless jet is especially incredible and it ends with a very cool scene that shows us all: Superman is back and better than ever.
Unfortunately, all is not so well. My biggest gripe (and I know some will just brush this problem off based solely on the fact that Superman is a comic book character) is that only one person (and not the person you would expect) makes the connection between mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent and Superman. Both where gone for the same amount of time and both dissapear completely when the other is around. It's not so much that I have a problem with the logic here, it's just that I think an interesting plot could have been made out of the fact that more and more people are able to figure it all out.
My other problem is with the sort of uneven nature of the film. At times, the movie hits its own stride, and it feels wonderful and it all clicks. At other parts, it feels less like an homage to Richard Donner's earlier work and more of a direct rip-off. Not only are certain scenes recycled completely, but so is some of the dialogue. There is a fine line between homage and hack-job, and Singer comes very close to crossing it a few too many times for comfort.
However, this work wonders in one respect, and that is the score. John Williams' classic theme(s) are used throughout this 2006 outing to great effect, and I am very happy that they decided to keep it, especially during the highly nostalogic opening credits.
When it comes down to it, "Superman Returns" is a very solid effort. However, I get the feeling that, like Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man," the inevitable sequel is where this one will really take off. As it stands now, I would rate this higher than the first "Spider-Man," but I still find it inferior to any of my top 3 comic book adaptations: "Hellboy," "Spider-Man 2," and, the trifacto, last year's "Batman Begins." Still, though, bring the kids and try and snag one of the IMAX screenings. Two and a half hours will have never seemed so fast.
Oh, yeah, one more thing: what the fuck was Kumar doing in this?
I saw this at ten last night. There were 2 theaters, but the second one wasn't even half-way filled up. But there were the dedicated fanboys, dedicated girlfriends, and me. First off, I agree with Syco. There were times when Returns was basking in its parallelism to the original film that it got quite irritating. And secondly, and this annoyed me the most, the ending was so completely set up for a sequel that I didn't feel that the issue brought up in the end was resolved. And it was because of Singer's conceptual sequel, that most of the film was exposition. Not only did we have prologue-like titles in the beginning, but all the characters had to re-explain Superman's stats, explain again where he was, Lois's relationship, yada yada yada. I mean, I know it was needed. Not everybody who's going to see this knows the Superman timeline and mythology but because I did, I felt it was really slow in some parts. Although, I'd be a whole lot more annoyed if Bryan Singer couldn't pull off a great sequel. And, once that plane entered the picture it was great.
I'm being overly picky and I bet once I see it again, I'll like it better, but that's the risk they take when they try to reintroduce a superhero that's been a part of our culture since the '30s. You can't please all the Superman fans.
And I'd just like to say that I fell in love with Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane. In the discussion thread, my exact words were "I can't even buy her as a brunette..." but I give her props for reinventing Lois Lane into something new and original. I'm a fan of Smallville and I thought that show had the perfect Lois, but Kate Bosworth's possessed something greater, yet still having most of the personality of the Lois Lane we all know and love.
Brandon Routh was better than I thought he'd be. There was only one line I thought sounded a little stale but he was awesome every time else. I felt that he had a great connection to Christopher Reeve's Superman while putting something new on screen. He's just like the Superman we've known (Truth, Justice, and the American Way) but you can see more of the human side to him too.
And there's nothing to be said about Kevin Spacey. He's just as great as Lex Luthor as I thought he would be.
As for the obvious "disguise" that Syco was complaining about -- I don't lose too much sleep over it. That has always been his disguise -- no one is ever going to figure it out, or really believe Clark is Superman, because not that many people pay attention to Clark Kent. I agree it's ludicrous that his glasses would disguise him, but that's been the basis of his double identity in all the comic books. No writer is ever going to have Superman come up with a more clever disguise for him.
I think I like this better than Spider-man 2, just because I have a childhood love of Superman that I didn't have for Spider-man. And I really can't compare it to Batman Begins because Batman had a completely different aesthetic feel to it. For me, Superman has always been and will always be the superhero I've always loved and can't be compared to other films because I'm naturally biased.
So, in short, while Superman came up short in some ways, I really liked it and want to see it again soon.
I really emjoyed this movie. I didn't have too many expectations, as I'm a loyal fan of the previous Superman films, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The actor who played Superman did an amazing job. I had goosepimples a couple of times when he spoke, because he really sounded like Christopher Reeve. What an amazing performance by him.
Loved Kevin Spacey, he did a great job. Hated the woman who played his stupid partner in crime and also didn't warm to the actress who played Lois Lane, at all. Not only did I find her acting boring, but an insult to the way I expected her character to be played. Margot Kidder nailed it and unfortunately, I couldn't shake off my distate to the new gal.
Overall, a good movie, worth seeing. In fact, stay to the end, you just have to wait for the dedication to Christopher Reeve. I waited especially to see this.
Good job!
PS - I couldn't get used to seeing Kumar on the screen either. I was just waiting for him to say White Castle just once, lol!
Christopher Reeve Made us believe A man could fly like a plane He had an ‘s’ Upon his chest But not in his last name.
Sorry, Andy. You can slap me if you want.
(I loved Christopher Reeve.)
DOH. I don't know why I didn't realise that sooner. I'm not very observant then.... feel free to slap away
I too could watch it again, which tells me how good the movie actually was. I thought maybe they'd put the dedication to him and his wife at the start, but nothing. I was waiting anxiously at the end when everyone began walking out, hoping it'd be there, and it was. I started clapping away and didn't give a damn. RIP Christopher and Dana.
Well, I went and seen this today and I thought it was utter GARBAGE! It had little to no action at all. IT was vacant of pretty much any and all excitement throughout much of it and I'd even venture to say only about 15 minutes of the movie was actually dedicated to on screen superman... Maybe even less.
Kevin Spacey was alright. He's a pretty likable guy in most everything he does, though... Although his little stunt at the Grammies that one year really pissed me off.
Lois Lane was kinda hot... but she was also very bland. She kinda made me wish Teri Hatcher was 15 years younger and up for the role. I believe she was the best Lois Lane thus far. Not to mention the sexiest... Well, in her day that is. She's lookin' long in the tooth now with all her MP DAG HAG HOOKER RAG HOUSE WIVE friends of hers.
Anyways, I've never liked Superman. Ever. I liked it when that one guy killed him... that was cool. I've always thought Superman was a hypocrite and a pretty queer superhero. Today, after this movie, my opinion still hasn't changed.
What I wanna know is why everyone, all over the world, loves this guy? It might be different if he was "FIGHITNG FOR TRUTH JUSTICE & THE WORLD WAY" but he's not... He's "FIGHTING FOR TRUTH JUSTICE & THE AMERICAN WAY" Fuck the world, Superman says.
I'd like to smack him actually... For all intents and purposes Superman is an Alien. That's it. An Alien with a queer costume and a cape that has too much starch in it.
I give this movie a huge thumbs down and a kick in the balls. It was more character and emotionally driven than most any superhero movie out there... Unfortunately the characters all sucked and they didn't focus on the one character they needed to the most.
Waste of 7 bucks? I dunno, I did get to eat some good popcorn... That might've been worth the 7 right there.
I won't be seeing the next one or the one after that or the one after that... Xmen sucked and it's no surprise to me that this one did too.
Singer should fight Uwe Boll for biggest ANAL BEAD director.
I don't understand what all the hype is about. Am I the only one who thinks Superman is the lamest superhero ever? I mean, he's super fast, super strong, his only weakness is Cryptonite and it's not like villains walk around with it in their back pockets. He's basically unstoppable, which makes him boring. Even worse, Superman is an inherantly good character. His morals don't sway, he has no flaws... he's basically a goodie two shoes. His character couldn't be more bland. And his villains are lame as well. Batman has Joker, Scarecrow, etc. Superman has a bald guy.
And James, you aren't missing a damn thing... It's some CROTCH STICK runnin' around in a tight blue suit with a maroon cape "now" and he fights "marginally" and flys even less. It's a pretty big SHIT BALL, really.
And yes... Superman has to be the worst superhero of all time. He's even below Auqaman and Shazam or whatever his name was. Hell, Hawkman and Green-lantern are better than Superman... Superman, for all intents and purposes, is a complete CRATER COCK!
I'm going to stick my head out and say that, I just plain dislike superheroes. Unless it's someone that I can really feel for (haven't seen one yet). I'm probably going to make enemies here, but to me superheroes are geared towards males, males that wish they can do more than what they can in real life.
If I ever need rescuing, I'll welome anyone, but to be honest with you, I'd rather have a real person come to my aid than someone in a stupid costume.
Haha! That's the funniest thing I have ever read.
But I think anyone who takes a superhero to heart is pretty lame. Maybe a little kid might go crazy over a superhero, but as adults, come on. I mean, I like the movies and all, but that's about it. These people that walk around with Spiderman gear and wear Superman shirts are kinda tacky. Most of the films are good action flicks, but that's what I take them as. Action movies. Not as role models.
I know this is a bit off topic and I apoligize, so I will say that I will most likely not being seeing this film, but great review Syco.
I thought it was really really well done. Really good. During the title sequence I was ecstatic. Maybe waned a bit through the second half (perhaps due to the somewhat un-Superman like settings, I thought), but still went like a bullet and delivered some absolutely great Superman stuff, in every sense.
Did anyone else feel like standing up and cheering with the crowds at the end of the plane sequence?
At the end of the plane sequence I was thinking "Jeez, how long does it take Lois Lane to get to the front of the plane?" She made up for her slowness with her exit from the plane
The scene at the end where he goes across the screen looked really fake and basically ruined the movie for me. One second of crap and it makes the entire effort look poor. If you can't fix that tiny moment throw the film in the garbage and run back to nothingness.
I am not a fan of Superman and think a lot of people are only fans in memory of Chris and that is sad and pathetic on your part. I feel sorry for you.
That said I did enjoy the comedy aspects which is the new superhero trademark.
The movie was good for a horny guy in tights just trying to get his girlfriend back from Cyclops. Superboy! Yes, we're all being Punk'd.
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