My Superman Returns Review - Page 3

irishjayhawk · 06-27-2006, 11:08 AM

So I took a shift last night and was working projection when the Superman prints arrived. Each print consisted of 3 cannisters to hold the massive 9 reels. I quickly alerted the build-up people - it seemed like the equivalent to alerting the Super Friends. Anyway, at about 10:40PM, the movie finally went up.

Now, I must preface this with my view on Superman. I find him plain. I don’t find him nearly as exciting as say Spiderman, any of the X-Men and Batman. Perhaps it’s because he only has one weakness and therefore doesn’t carry enough of the human characteristics I like in the other ’superheros’. Moreover, I just can’t help but laugh when people can’t see Clark is Superman. I mean the glasses don’t add that much! Thus, I wasn’t really watching this movie for Superman, as much as I was for Bryan Singer’s direction and John Ottman’s score. I also haven’t read any of the comic books, so I wasn’t expecting to pick out errors or constantly having to correct things that did or didn’t happen.

The movie opens with a neat CGI outer space recreation accompanied by a seemingly reversed Star Wars text intro, with its own spin. Combined with the music, it was actually really entertaining and easy to watch, despite it’s considerable length for the opening credits.

After the intro, the story switches between Lex Luther’s start to his master plan and Superman actually returning on an asteroid. It focuses on the farm and then on Clark’s memories about discovering his powers. It was a bit slow for my liking - though bearable - but in retrospect, it was a nice touch. The movie quickly picks up as Clark returns to the Daily Planet and meets Jimmy Olsen and the editor. Enough plot as I hate when the plot is given out.

First, let me say that Brandon Routh looks and acts the part. Kevin Spacey is the best Lex Luther either the movies or television series ever had. He’s energetic just looks the part all around. Both offer a great side to the movie and counter each other perfectly. Kate Bosworth isn’t exactly what I pictured Lois Lane to look like, though my mind could be fixated on the Teri Hatcher Lois Lane of the television series. Regardless, she did do a pretty good job with her part. Struggling between her married man and her love of Superman, she showed the torn nature of her character. James Marsden, who had worked with Singer on X-Men and X2, plays the part of Lois’ husband. Though his red sunglasses seen in X-Men definitely highlight him, he does a really nice job with such a small part (and no super powers). All in all, the acting is very good and everyone looks nice on screen.

The movie does have a somewhat slow beginning and end, but it is more than made up for for the good two hours of seemingly non-stop action. Accented by Ottman’s score (plus John Williams’ Main Title), the movie really takes on a life of it’s own. I have purchased the Superman score and can say, without a doubt, it’s a fantastic score and one I will listen to for a long time. It also goes hand in hand with the movie.

Singer has accomplished what I wanted accomplished from X3. See, Singer balanced character development with action. It was the exact same kind of balance found in both X1 and X2, though more in X2. It was what upset me about X3. Singer’s employ of odd camera angles, well done CGI and effects, as well as the direction of Kevin Spacey, in particular, was marvelous. Also, in what was another difference between X3 and ‘Superman’ was the fact that Singer was involved in the story. It seems he likes to alter the script or story to help suit his vision, thus earning himself a writing credit. In any case, like X2, this was probably what catapulted ‘Superman’ from just above mediocre to extraordinary. In the same way, it is what doomed X3. In my opinion, Singer the new age Stephen Spielberg.

There’s one major complaint I have about ‘Superman’, it’s the fact that Singer couldn’t do ‘Superman’ and X3.

Bottom-line: Must see! By the way, the IMAX version has some 3D parts. (20 minutes of 3D or 4-5 scenes lasting 4-5 minutes.)
DVD Bottom-line: Must own. Period. Same goes for the soundtrack.
Rating: 3.5 out of 4.

Just for what it's worth.

P.S. I didn't know if this should be posted in the lounge or MCE subforum. Please move, if necessary.

keg in kc · 06-28-2006, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefs_Fan_n_64081

I also felt that there was not nearly enough details about his attempt to journey home, and it might have helped to have a few seconds of flashback footage of what he experienced.

Scenes of Supes back at Krypton were filmed but cut out during the final edit, I believe. Maybe in on DVD, who knows.

DJay23 · 06-28-2006, 07:58 AM

Alright, I saw it last night as well and just thought it was ok. There were some cool scenes and such, but it didn't knock my socks off. I just felt kinda

when i left the theater. I really liked Spacey's part. I liked that there was a lot of little funny bits here and there. My favorite line, "Weren't there two of those?"

Halfcan · 06-28-2006, 08:05 AM

Sounds like a good one. For the cost to make it, it better be a hit.

Fish · 06-28-2006, 09:21 AM

Going tonight.....

Anybody see any Superman supernerds in capes or anything at the opening?

Frazod · 06-28-2006, 09:59 AM

I'll catch a matinee this weekend. Looks interesting.

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-28-2006, 01:40 PM

My reaal gripe about Routh playing Superman is the guy needs to hit the weights more because he looked skinny in the Supes uniform

Deberg_1990 · 06-28-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

They definitely stayed true to the original movies. Like that opening credits sequence, and other areas. I personally liked that. Especially with something as big as this. If you know your Superman, the woman who played Lois and the guy who played Jimmy Olsen in the 50's TV series both have bit parts in the movie.

I haven't read many "professional" reviews of the movie, but I'm going to guess Routh/Bosworth are probably going to get slagged for not being Reeve/Kidder. They aren't. Bosworth especially. They didn't quite have the charm, but they played up the dramatic aspect of the movie pretty well, maybe better even. Frank Langella was a perfect choice for Perry White too, he wasn't a main character obviously, but I just thought he was perfect for that role.

I was a big fan of Gene Hackman as Luthor, but Spacey carried it out pretty well. Less wit, but more anger and "evil" for sure, diabolical is probably the best term for it. I thought his character really picked up steam 2nd half of the movie. Maybe the last 2/3rds, I lost track of time.

Just got back from seeing it. It was good but overall i was a slightly dissappointed. I still cant quite figure out why though?? Maybe its my childhood love for Sups 1 & 2.....im still not quite sure?? It was however a great looking flick and competently made. Routh impressed me. He did a great job of mimicking Reeves but yet he made Kent and Superman his own. I think it might have needed one more big action beat there at the end. I didnt care for the resolution of the big island thing and how Luthor just flew away..........Overall an entertaining movie, but im still trying to put my finger on why it just never hit me like i expected it to???

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-28-2006, 03:13 PM

Spoiler!

The above part is the another thing that's bugging me about the movie

munkey · 06-28-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Overall an entertaining movie, but im still trying to put my finger on why it just never hit me like i expected it to???

Ditto..

I just couldn't get Reeves out of my brain...I mean the ending only missed the smile.

To much like the first for me.

Valiant · 06-28-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I actually preferred Kate Bosworth to Margot Kidder, but I have never been a fan of Kidder.

And they used Williams themes and cues freely, but 99% of the scoring in the film was original. At least to my ear. Not like I was trained in this kind of stuff though (cough).

I'm going to watch it again tomorrow or thursday on IMAX. Just like I did with Batman Begins last year.

The two best superhero movies of all time, in my opinion. DC has taken what Marvel established with the Spider-Man and X-Men franchises and just taken it to a whole new level. While Superman Returns was vastly different from Batman Begins, I thought it was just as strong a film, and may be even stronger on repeat viewing. Some of the visuals in the movie (and I don't mean action sets, I mean simple scenes, like supes in space, or when he breaks above the clouds towards the end) were just, literally, staggering. Awe-inspiring.

And, God, they finally got it right...they made him powerful.

I loved when he would fly off and sonic boom the area.. Everything about the movie was done superbly.. Well except one thing.. Metroplis is not on the ****ing EAst Coast...

Valiant · 06-28-2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Yeah, I thought Routh was great. I'd read comments about him in several reviews, and I guess I just don't know what the reviewers were looking for. To me, he was Superman and Clark Kent both, but I've followed the comic and cartoons for years, and he gave me what I expected. And any people who were concerned that he was too small or not buff enough for the role can relax now. I'm sure it was in part due to construction of the suit, but he appreared to be way, way more muscular than Reeve ever was.

And I loved Spacey's Lex. He seemed...diabolical. Not campy, not comical, just out for himself, everyone else be damned, with a little dash of insanity on the side.

On Luther, that is how he was originally written to be in the comics.. He is out for power and just for himself... Or if helping Superman is in his best interest he will do that also and has...

Valiant · 06-28-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

SPOILER

----------

I thought that was a really nice touch in the sequence where Superman is "back", flying all over the world saving people. In one of the news reports, you hear them say he was in Gotham. Real nice touch. Hint toward something in the future maybe? At least a nod to the DC universe.

-----------

I thought Singer put all kinds of little subtle touches in the movie like that. Very well thought out. But you have to be paying attention.

Realisticly there is no chance in hell for that to be done into a live movie... Now DC would bust that out as a straight to DC cartoon movie, but no way would they ruin both series of movies...

But if I am wrong, they better spend 500+million dollars and do it right..

Frazod · 06-28-2006, 05:41 PM

Changed my mind - I'm going to go see it tonight. Will offer my thoughts later.

DJay23 · 06-28-2006, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Just got back from seeing it. It was good but overall i was a slightly dissappointed. I still cant quite figure out why though?? Maybe its my childhood love for Sups 1 & 2.....im still not quite sure?? It was however a great looking flick and competently made. Routh impressed me. He did a great job of mimicking Reeves but yet he made Kent and Superman his own. I think it might have needed one more big action beat there at the end. I didnt care for the resolution of the big island thing and how Luthor just flew away..........Overall an entertaining movie, but im still trying to put my finger on why it just never hit me like i expected it to???

My friends and I agreed that it was kind of a stupid ending. We would have liked to see Superman fight an equal. Someone of super power that is.

And in his confrontation with Luthor, did anyone else wonder how he could do that to him. Even if there is kryptonite around, he's still a big dude. Give me a break!

Gravedigger · 06-28-2006, 06:15 PM

Yeah it was such a good movie. It delivered on every single point you could in a comic book movie. All the CGI wasn't distracting it was ****ing cool as hell to see him lift and island from the sea and to stop an airplane out of midair.

Brandon Routh played him very well I thought. None of these actors ARE the original Margo Kitter, Christopher Reeves, or Gene Hackman but they did damn good jobs as playing the roles.

The best parts of the movie were undoubtedly the Spiderman 3 teaser before the movie (BLACK SUIT OMG!) http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/spiderman3/site/ for all of you who wanna see the teaser before you see Superman. The other cool part of the movie was the beginning credits when the old music was playing and the letters in the names came at you just like the credits of the old ones. Singer stuck to the origins and that's why he is a better director hands down than Brett Ratner. This movie totally makes up for the dissapointment that was X3. Now next weekend is Pirates of the Carribean 2 and next summer Spiderman 3!

06-27-2006, 11:08 AM
irishjayhawk Feelin' Alright Join Date: Aug 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	My Superman Returns Review So I took a shift last night and was working projection when the Superman prints arrived. Each print consisted of 3 cannisters to hold the massive 9 reels. I quickly alerted the build-up people - it seemed like the equivalent to alerting the Super Friends. Anyway, at about 10:40PM, the movie finally went up. Now, I must preface this with my view on Superman. I find him plain. I don’t find him nearly as exciting as say Spiderman, any of the X-Men and Batman. Perhaps it’s because he only has one weakness and therefore doesn’t carry enough of the human characteristics I like in the other ’superheros’. Moreover, I just can’t help but laugh when people can’t see Clark is Superman. I mean the glasses don’t add that much! Thus, I wasn’t really watching this movie for Superman, as much as I was for Bryan Singer’s direction and John Ottman’s score. I also haven’t read any of the comic books, so I wasn’t expecting to pick out errors or constantly having to correct things that did or didn’t happen. The movie opens with a neat CGI outer space recreation accompanied by a seemingly reversed Star Wars text intro, with its own spin. Combined with the music, it was actually really entertaining and easy to watch, despite it’s considerable length for the opening credits. After the intro, the story switches between Lex Luther’s start to his master plan and Superman actually returning on an asteroid. It focuses on the farm and then on Clark’s memories about discovering his powers. It was a bit slow for my liking - though bearable - but in retrospect, it was a nice touch. The movie quickly picks up as Clark returns to the Daily Planet and meets Jimmy Olsen and the editor. Enough plot as I hate when the plot is given out. First, let me say that Brandon Routh looks and acts the part. Kevin Spacey is the best Lex Luther either the movies or television series ever had. He’s energetic just looks the part all around. Both offer a great side to the movie and counter each other perfectly. Kate Bosworth isn’t exactly what I pictured Lois Lane to look like, though my mind could be fixated on the Teri Hatcher Lois Lane of the television series. Regardless, she did do a pretty good job with her part. Struggling between her married man and her love of Superman, she showed the torn nature of her character. James Marsden, who had worked with Singer on X-Men and X2, plays the part of Lois’ husband. Though his red sunglasses seen in X-Men definitely highlight him, he does a really nice job with such a small part (and no super powers). All in all, the acting is very good and everyone looks nice on screen. The movie does have a somewhat slow beginning and end, but it is more than made up for for the good two hours of seemingly non-stop action. Accented by Ottman’s score (plus John Williams’ Main Title), the movie really takes on a life of it’s own. I have purchased the Superman score and can say, without a doubt, it’s a fantastic score and one I will listen to for a long time. It also goes hand in hand with the movie. Singer has accomplished what I wanted accomplished from X3. See, Singer balanced character development with action. It was the exact same kind of balance found in both X1 and X2, though more in X2. It was what upset me about X3. Singer’s employ of odd camera angles, well done CGI and effects, as well as the direction of Kevin Spacey, in particular, was marvelous. Also, in what was another difference between X3 and ‘Superman’ was the fact that Singer was involved in the story. It seems he likes to alter the script or story to help suit his vision, thus earning himself a writing credit. In any case, like X2, this was probably what catapulted ‘Superman’ from just above mediocre to extraordinary. In the same way, it is what doomed X3. In my opinion, Singer the new age Stephen Spielberg. There’s one major complaint I have about ‘Superman’, it’s the fact that Singer couldn’t do ‘Superman’ and X3. Bottom-line: Must see! By the way, the IMAX version has some 3D parts. (20 minutes of 3D or 4-5 scenes lasting 4-5 minutes.) DVD Bottom-line: Must own. Period. Same goes for the soundtrack. Rating: 3.5 out of 4. Just for what it's worth. P.S. I didn't know if this should be posted in the lounge or MCE subforum. Please move, if necessary.
Posts: 16,887

06-28-2006, 07:58 AM	#32
DJay23 Rock Chalk Jayhawk Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: PA Casino cash: $-506683	Alright, I saw it last night as well and just thought it was ok. There were some cool scenes and such, but it didn't knock my socks off. I just felt kinda when i left the theater. I really liked Spacey's part. I liked that there was a lot of little funny bits here and there. My favorite line, "Weren't there two of those?" __________________ "True bliss is not something you search for, true bliss is already living inside us all, and sometimes it takes a roomfull of others to lead us to the mirror of your soul." - CosmicPal (10-3-03)
Posts: 9,185

06-28-2006, 08:05 AM	#33
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	Sounds like a good one. For the cost to make it, it better be a hit.
Posts: 43,200

06-28-2006, 09:21 AM	#34
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-1391081	Going tonight..... Anybody see any Superman supernerds in capes or anything at the opening? __________________
Posts: 48,846

06-28-2006, 09:59 AM	#35
Frazod Did you hear what I said? Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-736615	I'll catch a matinee this weekend. Looks interesting.
Posts: 121,760

06-28-2006, 01:40 PM	#36
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2947187	My reaal gripe about Routh playing Superman is the guy needs to hit the weights more because he looked skinny in the Supes uniform __________________
Posts: 43,447

06-28-2006, 03:13 PM	#38
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2947187	Spoiler! Supes kid has his powers , but when he knocked up Lois he was a mortal human The above part is the another thing that's bugging me about the movie __________________
Posts: 43,447

06-28-2006, 05:41 PM	#43
Frazod Did you hear what I said? Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-736615	Changed my mind - I'm going to go see it tonight. Will offer my thoughts later.
Posts: 121,760

06-28-2006, 06:15 PM	#45
Gravedigger Plays to win the game! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $6473101	Yeah it was such a good movie. It delivered on every single point you could in a comic book movie. All the CGI wasn't distracting it was ****ing cool as hell to see him lift and island from the sea and to stop an airplane out of midair. Brandon Routh played him very well I thought. None of these actors ARE the original Margo Kitter, Christopher Reeves, or Gene Hackman but they did damn good jobs as playing the roles. The best parts of the movie were undoubtedly the Spiderman 3 teaser before the movie (BLACK SUIT OMG!) http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/spiderman3/site/ for all of you who wanna see the teaser before you see Superman. The other cool part of the movie was the beginning credits when the old music was playing and the letters in the names came at you just like the credits of the old ones. Singer stuck to the origins and that's why he is a better director hands down than Brett Ratner. This movie totally makes up for the dissapointment that was X3. Now next weekend is Pirates of the Carribean 2 and next summer Spiderman 3!
Posts: 7,826