Why The World Doesn't Need Another Superman Movie
Title: Superman ReturnsCast: Kevin Spacey, Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Parker Posey
Director: Bryan Singer
Popcorn says:
I loved Christopher Reeve. And I say this in behalf of all my age group that he is the penultimate Superman of our generation.
I just couldn't stand all those "truth, justice, and the American way" crap. Lucky me, director Bryan Singer made a good call to replace it with "truth, justice, all that stuff..." in his latest comic book-turned-film installment, Superman Returns.
The movie picks up 5 years after our hero left earth and its helpless population as depicted at the end of Superman II. As you all know by now, Singer decided his Superman opus would be a continuation of the 1980 movie. If you're lost go rent the video.
As soon as the John Williams theme rumbled thru my eardrums I was instantly transported to 25 years ago. The opening titles (credits come after the movie) was a classic. I felt the same way when Episode I: The Phantom Menace rolled onto the screen and I heard the Star Wars theme on THX for the first time. That experience alone was worth the hundred-fifty bucks!
Theeen it's pretty much downhill from there. An hour into the movie I was starting to get bored. Brandon Routh's mimicry of Reeve's Clark Kent was dehydrated and the Man of Steel was his own cheesy self on every scene. The guy's in love with himself, c'mon admit it.
But one thing about Singer, he takes care of the story. The script was well in place plus Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor was insanely flawless. Parker Posey as Kitty Kozlowski injected a few funny moments, too.
My real complain is the movie was too long. If they had managed to squeeze it all in a 2-hour spectacle it would have been more effective. Then there's the lingering question on every inquiring mind: for a feisty reporter Lois Lane perpetually fails to make a connection between Kent's disappearance and Superman's reappearance.
Superman Returns was a tribute movie, plain and simple. It barely updated what Richard Donner did with the original 2 Superman flicks. It was good enough, but fell short of being great.
Hell, at least it wasn't as painful to endure as Spiderman II!
Rating: 6
Extra Rice says:
Why do I get this feeling that the creative geniuses of Hollywood are running out of ideas lately? Sequel this, prequel that, it seems that original scripts are hard to come by nowadays. I guess the producers want a guaranteed return on their budgets.
That I understand, but somehow I wish they would take more calculated risks and give us fresh material every so often.
Superman Returns. Yes, another Superman movie. Has it been 20 years since the last one?
I was excited to see this movie. I wanted to watch on the first day but the lines were just too long. I was curious how the present technology could present this rehashed material. The old Superman movies almost convinced viewers that man could fly with their special effects.
I was not to be disappointed. The opening credits alone were almost worth the ticket price. They could have modified that opening, use it on a theme park ride, and I would have happily lined up to see it once more.
The music and sound effects were first class. My heart literally pumped faster with excitement as the movie progressed during the first few minutes.
Then the movie started. And then I realized that I was watching a dud. I don’t think this movie was made for someone like me.
Do you know those warnings they put on some comic books that say “For Mature Readers Only?” They should have put a warning on this movie, “Not for viewers aged 30 and above who appreciate good stories, acting, and editing.”
This movie was more of homage to Superman than anything. If we needed toinclude a movie about Superman in the archives for future generations, thiswould be perfect. Director Bryan Singer even included scenes from the originalAction Comics to remind viewers of where the character came from. I rememberthat scene where Superman was carrying a car and the one where a needle broketrying to penetrate his skin. I had fun with those, including Perry White’s “Great Caesar’s Ghost!”
What wasn’t entertaining was the slow pace of exposition. The actors’ wooden performances further added salt to the wound. I understand that they needed an actor without any baggage to play the Man of Steel, but did they have to choose someone who acted like he was made of it?
Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor was the movie’s only saving grace. He was perfect for the role, injecting evil mischief into Superman’s arch-enemy. Brilliant actors do that. They can take tired roles and breathe new life into them.
Superman Returns. Maybe he should have waited a few more years…
Ratings:
plot *
acting *
cinematography ***
special effects ****
sound ****
over-all cinematic experience **
Director: Bryan Singer
Popcorn says:
I loved Christopher Reeve. And I say this in behalf of all my age group that he is the penultimate Superman of our generation.
I just couldn't stand all those "truth, justice, and the American way" crap. Lucky me, director Bryan Singer made a good call to replace it with "truth, justice, all that stuff..." in his latest comic book-turned-film installment, Superman Returns.
The movie picks up 5 years after our hero left earth and its helpless population as depicted at the end of Superman II. As you all know by now, Singer decided his Superman opus would be a continuation of the 1980 movie. If you're lost go rent the video.
As soon as the John Williams theme rumbled thru my eardrums I was instantly transported to 25 years ago. The opening titles (credits come after the movie) was a classic. I felt the same way when Episode I: The Phantom Menace rolled onto the screen and I heard the Star Wars theme on THX for the first time. That experience alone was worth the hundred-fifty bucks!
Theeen it's pretty much downhill from there. An hour into the movie I was starting to get bored. Brandon Routh's mimicry of Reeve's Clark Kent was dehydrated and the Man of Steel was his own cheesy self on every scene. The guy's in love with himself, c'mon admit it.
But one thing about Singer, he takes care of the story. The script was well in place plus Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor was insanely flawless. Parker Posey as Kitty Kozlowski injected a few funny moments, too.
My real complain is the movie was too long. If they had managed to squeeze it all in a 2-hour spectacle it would have been more effective. Then there's the lingering question on every inquiring mind: for a feisty reporter Lois Lane perpetually fails to make a connection between Kent's disappearance and Superman's reappearance.
Superman Returns was a tribute movie, plain and simple. It barely updated what Richard Donner did with the original 2 Superman flicks. It was good enough, but fell short of being great.
Hell, at least it wasn't as painful to endure as Spiderman II!
Rating: 6
Extra Rice says:
Why do I get this feeling that the creative geniuses of Hollywood are running out of ideas lately? Sequel this, prequel that, it seems that original scripts are hard to come by nowadays. I guess the producers want a guaranteed return on their budgets.
That I understand, but somehow I wish they would take more calculated risks and give us fresh material every so often.
Superman Returns. Yes, another Superman movie. Has it been 20 years since the last one?
I was excited to see this movie. I wanted to watch on the first day but the lines were just too long. I was curious how the present technology could present this rehashed material. The old Superman movies almost convinced viewers that man could fly with their special effects.
I was not to be disappointed. The opening credits alone were almost worth the ticket price. They could have modified that opening, use it on a theme park ride, and I would have happily lined up to see it once more.
The music and sound effects were first class. My heart literally pumped faster with excitement as the movie progressed during the first few minutes.
Then the movie started. And then I realized that I was watching a dud. I don’t think this movie was made for someone like me.
Do you know those warnings they put on some comic books that say “For Mature Readers Only?” They should have put a warning on this movie, “Not for viewers aged 30 and above who appreciate good stories, acting, and editing.”
This movie was more of homage to Superman than anything. If we needed toinclude a movie about Superman in the archives for future generations, thiswould be perfect. Director Bryan Singer even included scenes from the originalAction Comics to remind viewers of where the character came from. I rememberthat scene where Superman was carrying a car and the one where a needle broketrying to penetrate his skin. I had fun with those, including Perry White’s “Great Caesar’s Ghost!”
What wasn’t entertaining was the slow pace of exposition. The actors’ wooden performances further added salt to the wound. I understand that they needed an actor without any baggage to play the Man of Steel, but did they have to choose someone who acted like he was made of it?
Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor was the movie’s only saving grace. He was perfect for the role, injecting evil mischief into Superman’s arch-enemy. Brilliant actors do that. They can take tired roles and breathe new life into them.
Superman Returns. Maybe he should have waited a few more years…
Ratings:
plot *
acting *
cinematography ***
special effects ****
sound ****
over-all cinematic experience **
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