My Superman Returns Review - Page 5

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.

Demonpenz · 06-29-2006, 10:50 PM

i didn't really like it that much. I guess the era of blockbuster summer movies is over.

Demonpenz · 06-29-2006, 10:52 PM

Wow... to say kate hudson was a miscast is very very nice. I was thinking maybe hollywood is required to put a reeruned person in a major role by some law california had put in place.

Hammock Parties · 06-29-2006, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

Wow... to say kate hudson was a miscast is very very nice. I was thinking maybe hollywood is required to put a reeruned person in a major role by some law california had put in place.

Kate Bosworth, not Hudson.

Demonpenz · 06-29-2006, 10:58 PM

good call. both equally as forgetable i guess.

keg in kc · 06-30-2006, 04:26 PM

Just saw it again, this time the IMAX 3D version.

Liked it even more the second time. The pacing didn't seem as slow, and I noticed things I didn't the first time through. It just seemed more coherent on the repeat viewing, and I don't know why.

The 3D scenes were fucking amazing. I don't know how they did it, but that's the wave of the future.

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-30-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

The character is flawed because he has no flaws.

Their is the interpersonal flaws of revealing his true self and being a general recluse to the world the other super heroes don't have these problems, because in their active lives they do have a life to live. Superman has to be a hero it was his destiny the others chose their path

Fish · 06-30-2006, 04:46 PM

Saw it last night. I was unimpressed. Spacey played Lex very very well, but overall the story never really got rolling. Not what I was expecting from Singer. It was a good show.... but my expectations were higher. I thought for $350 zillion and the length of time in production it would be damn near knock-your-socks-off good....

[Sorta spoiler]The whole kryptonite island storyline was really weak too..... And they really pushed the Superman Jr. idea too much without any clear direction... They tried to make it so painfully obvious without anybody talking about it or even considering it.... [/Sorta spoiler]

And I had negative feelings for Lois. I'm not sure why, but I didn't like her. And I would have loved to see a Richard Pryor side comedy character too.....

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-30-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

And I had negative feelings for Lois.

Kate Bosworth didn't have that sassy attitude like Margot Kidder did, and it was like the girl next door trying to be tough and jaded

penchief · 06-30-2006, 07:51 PM

Maybe Superman Returns was a less committed attempt to capitalize off the success of Batman Begins. I thought that was the best of all the Batman movies.

I liked Spiderman II, too.

Deberg_1990 · 06-30-2006, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

And I would have loved to see a Richard Pryor side comedy character too.....

hahah....i hope that was a joke?? Although, Superman 3 did have its moments...I actually liked the Good Superman Vs. Bad Superman stuff in that flick.

FAX · 07-02-2006, 11:08 AM

Great cinematic storytelling. Very enjoyable. Even the beautiful and witty Mrs. FAX liked it!

Spacy is a great Lex Luther. Was the guy who played Lois' new boyfriend the same guy who played Cyclops?

FAX

**Bowser** · 07-02-2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Great cinematic storytelling. Very enjoyable. Even the beautiful and witty Mrs. FAX liked it!

Spacy is a great Lex Luther. Was the guy who played Lois' new boyfriend the same guy who played Cyclops?

FAX

Yes. James Marsden.

FringeNC · 07-02-2006, 11:15 AM

I thought it was great, too. The shuttle/airplane scene was awe-inspiring.

**Bowser** · 07-02-2006, 11:17 AM

Took my ten year old to see it, and we both enjoyed it. We are going to check it out in IMAX next.

Jenson71 · 07-02-2006, 11:26 AM

I went and saw it on the IMAX. I like Routh, an Iowan, as Superman.

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

06-29-2006, 10:50 PM	#61
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3042136	i didn't really like it that much. I guess the era of blockbuster summer movies is over. __________________
Posts: 54,282

06-29-2006, 10:52 PM	#62
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3042136	Wow... to say kate hudson was a miscast is very very nice. I was thinking maybe hollywood is required to put a reeruned person in a major role by some law california had put in place. __________________
Posts: 54,282

06-29-2006, 10:58 PM	#64
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3042136	good call. both equally as forgetable i guess. __________________
Posts: 54,282

06-30-2006, 04:26 PM	#65
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Just saw it again, this time the IMAX 3D version. Liked it even more the second time. The pacing didn't seem as slow, and I noticed things I didn't the first time through. It just seemed more coherent on the repeat viewing, and I don't know why. The 3D scenes were fucking amazing. I don't know how they did it, but that's the wave of the future.
Posts: 58,682

06-30-2006, 04:46 PM	#67
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2128919	Saw it last night. I was unimpressed. Spacey played Lex very very well, but overall the story never really got rolling. Not what I was expecting from Singer. It was a good show.... but my expectations were higher. I thought for $350 zillion and the length of time in production it would be damn near knock-your-socks-off good.... [Sorta spoiler]The whole kryptonite island storyline was really weak too..... And they really pushed the Superman Jr. idea too much without any clear direction... They tried to make it so painfully obvious without anybody talking about it or even considering it.... [/Sorta spoiler] And I had negative feelings for Lois. I'm not sure why, but I didn't like her. And I would have loved to see a Richard Pryor side comedy character too..... __________________
Posts: 47,593

06-30-2006, 07:51 PM	#69
penchief MVP Join Date: Feb 2003 Casino cash: $6325286	Maybe Superman Returns was a less committed attempt to capitalize off the success of Batman Begins. I thought that was the best of all the Batman movies. I liked Spiderman II, too.
Posts: 17,034

07-02-2006, 11:08 AM	#71
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Great cinematic storytelling. Very enjoyable. Even the beautiful and witty Mrs. FAX liked it! Spacy is a great Lex Luther. Was the guy who played Lois' new boyfriend the same guy who played Cyclops? FAX
Posts: 44,492

07-02-2006, 11:15 AM	#73
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $1646014	I thought it was great, too. The shuttle/airplane scene was awe-inspiring.
Posts: 10,173

07-02-2006, 11:17 AM	#74
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3311616	Took my ten year old to see it, and we both enjoyed it. We are going to check it out in IMAX next.
Posts: 100,885

07-02-2006, 11:26 AM	#75
Jenson71 fides quaerens intellectum Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: United States Casino cash: $8330900	I went and saw it on the IMAX. I like Routh, an Iowan, as Superman.
Posts: 15,986