Superman Returns Still
©Warner Bros.
Reviewed Format: Theatrical Release
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Tristan Lake Leabu, Parker Posey, Frank Langella
Writers: Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris, story by Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris & Bryan Singer, based on characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Director: Bryan Singer
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Superman Returns
By: TKay42oneDate: Thursday, February 08, 2007
I never did go to see "Superman Returns" in the theaters. I really just didn't see the point in doing another sequal to the current Superman franchise when the last movie (Superman IV) hadn't been in theaters for almost 20 years. I recently saw it on DVD, and since this is a free world, I'm sharing my thoughts on it.
To say that I was not impressed would be the biggest single bound ANYBODY could make. I thought the story was ridiculous and that most of the acting was sub par. The only person who did wow me to some degree was Brandon Routh as Superman and Clark. I thought he made Clark just nerdy and nervous enough without making him too comical, and did a good job playing the character that nobody believes could be Superman.
Before I start my rant, I'll give the movie the prop that it DOES deserve: For being a sequal to "Superman" and "Superman II", it was STELLAR. It was better than anybody could have ever hoped for. However, simply BEING a sequal to outdated (however nostalgic) movies was a big problem for me.
Ever since I have been old enough to really sit down and dissect movies, I have never like the fact that the Superman franchise has Lex Luthor as some underground-dwelling weirdo with a real estate fetish. Sure, they still have him as a genius, but the movie version (wether being played by Hackman OR Spacey) is laughable. I was especially disappointed in Spacey's performace. I think he is one of the best actors around today, and it seemed as though he was just walking through the part, trying to fit into Hackman's shoes.
I also didn't care for the liberties they took with the story. The biggest liberty that I hate the most is the Superbastard, or the child of Superman and Lois. I understand that Clark and Lois did the nastay while he was de-powered in "Superman II", but the Superbastard is an even bigger leap in the Superman mythology than half the plots of "Smallville" (which usually seem to work somehow). The liberties Mr. Singer took with his "X-Men" movies made much better story than the Culkin-wannabe, "Heart and Soul" playing Superbastard.
Lastly, Superman usually gets weakened by Kryptonite pretty quickly...yet apparently all he has to do to lift an entire CONTINENT made most of Kryptonite is fly up above the clouds for about 2 minutes. Then, directly after THAT miracle, he does that classic crucifix pose as he starts to fall to Earth, weakened beyond weak. Makes me want to break out singing, "Jesus Christ...Superman..."...nah, "Tommy" was better.
Again, as far as a sequal to the first two "Superman" movies, "Superman Returns" is STELLAR, and that is the only reason it gets a C+ in my book. I guess I'll always wonder what if they HAD started the franchise over a la "Batman Begins", made Lex Luthor an actual sinister archvillian with more grandiose plans than owning Australia because he likes beach front property (See "Superman II" again if you need refreshing), and not put forth the movie that almost deserves to be a cinematic abortion. "Superman Returns" is the red-headed step-child of modern day superhero movies, and should only be viewed by those who also loved other steamy piles like "Elektra".
Click here to read the staff review by Mania.
The kid has to go. It ruined it for most people. And Routh looks like a 13 yr old boy dressed up as Superman for Halloween.
My suggestion: Wait about 5 or 6 years. Let Smallville end it's run, and when Clark finishes his training, reboot the movies with him arriving in Metropolis. Tom Welling fits the part much better.