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Review #166 of 365
Film: Superman Returns [PG-13] 157 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $12.75
Where Viewed: Reel Theatres Ontario Reel Theatre, Ontario, OR
When 1st Seen: 27 June 2006
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Review Dedicated to: Tysen J. K. of Chicago, IL
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
In 1978, my brother and I wanted my dad to take us to see Superman starring Christopher Reeve. He promised he would. We arrived at what I'm pretty sure was the Century 21 Theatre on Colorado Blvd in Denver to one of the longest lines to get in to see a movie I think my dad had ever seen. My brother and I would return home very disappointed that day having seen Patton, starring George C. Scott—don't ask me why this 5-year old movie was still playing. All I know is that Patton was not Superman. We did finally get to see Superman a few days later when the crowds died down. Of course, I had no clue that big event films wouldn't always be affairs like Superman with the lines of people that literally wrap around the block. That was back in the day when there were not 50 movie theatres to choose from. Only a few theatres had screens the size to do the big event movie justice or sound systems good enough to deliver the booms. While I loved that I was able to get my ticket for last night's pre-opening showing of Superman Returns, I do miss the days of those lines and the feeling that you were going in to see something really special.
Pardon my waxing on with a bit of nostalgia, yet is seems so fitting given that Superman is one of the most enduring icons of the 20th century. First created in 1932 by an unlikely pair a Canadian artist named Joe Shuster and an American writer named Jerry Siegel. That's right, 1932. That makes Superman almost 75 years old. Schuster and Siegel sold Superman to Detective Comics, Inc. in 1938. Since then, he has been serialized in numerous comic book series, television series, movies, video games, cartoon shows, and now he returns in what a large number of accountants are hoping will be THE motion picture of Summer 2006, Superman Returns. Director Bryan Singer, who abandoned the X-Men allowing the third film in the series to fall into utter chaos so that he could take the reigns of Superman Returns, took some calculated risks with Superman Returns in his attempt to appease all parties with what amounts on some levels to be less of a remake of the 1978 version of the film and more of an homage sequel to that film. The story of which I will give very little away in this review—more to come in the second review after I see the IMAX 3D version—takes place after Superman (Brandon Routh) leaves earth for five years to return to the remnants of his home planet Krypton. Much has happened since he's been gone. Most notably, former love of his dreams, Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), is now in a committed relationship and has won a Pulitzer Prize for her story in the Daily Planet entitled "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman". So, poor Clark Kent is still invisible to her, fortunately he still has best friend Jimmy Olsen (Sam Huntington) to make him feel welcome back at the Planet. Certainly, trying to create a sequel that would fall between I and II sort of was a risk. Tinkering with the Superman mythology was a big risk.
So, going through some of the risks quickly…
The first major risk was casting Brandon Routh (rhymes with South) as Clark Kent/Superman was hotly debated. I was fully prepared to dislike him from the start. I liked that he was virtually unknown (a few tv appearances etc., but nothing big). Yet, I worried about two things: one, he looked too young, and two, he looked too much like Christopher Reeve. Four years to go to college, a year or so to work at the Daily Planet and meet Lois, five years away to see the obliterated Krypton, would make him roughly 29 years old. Mr. Routh is 25. So, he's a bit young to be playing Superman at this age, and it shows. He does not look quite like a 'man' yet. He's still got a very boyish face. To be fair, Christopher Reeve was only 26 when he played Superman, but he just looked older, closer to 27 or 29. In any case, Mr. Routh is convincing as Kal-El, and very likeable. He brings an edge with him where he can look very fierce and yet very vulnerable at the same time. Both Reeve and Routh brought Superman a very human quality that makes them both very effective in the role that really is about being the last person of his kind, alone on a distant planet, forced to live a dual life and hide away your true self from the ones you love the most. I would say this risk turned out 50-50. Despite being younger-looking, Brandon Routh is a good Superman. It wasn't clear to me if he was instructed to play the role as closely to the way Christopher Reeve did or not, but sometimes the resemblance, mannerisms, vocal cadence, etc. were uncanny.
"..a summer event film that will leave you salivating for a sequel. "
The second major risk was casting Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor, and by the way, this is not your father's Lex Luthor. This is the most diabolical Lex Luthor I can recall. He is a menace. He comes across as being far less ingenious than previous versions, but far more merciless and scheming. I have decided that I don't like to see Kevin Spacey play villains. He is too good at it, too believable, too nightmarish, and I like him too much to ever want to hate him. But, if you've never hated Lex Luthor before, you are going to loathe the Kevin Spacey version unlike anything you've ever seen. His greed is unparalleled as is his ruthlessness. At first thought, Kevin Spacey is not Lex Luthor. After seeing the film, he most certainly was. He doesn't seem to really enjoy the role, but he will manage to be able to turn your stomach. He will make your heart ache with grief. Still, I don't think he was the best choice for the role. Again, 50-50.
The third major risk was in tinkering with the mythology. I am still of mixed opinions on this one. Now, it's hard to talk about Superman mythology with any definitive authority given that so many writers and artists have taken their hand at the legend. I, for one, never knew that Superman had super hearing. That's a new one on me. But, some sources list it as one of his powers. I've never seen him with that power in any of the cartoons or movies or tv series about Superman, however, it is one mentioned in various sources. So, therein, you can see the inconsistency of the mythology in the first place. One of the things that makes Superman super is that he can do just about anything while being invincible. He is the king of all superheroes and no one has ever made a better or more powerful superhero. He is an icon of good and truth for all societies of the world. So, I guess, tinkering with the mythology is part of the mythology itself and if others can do it, why not Bryan Singer. For, me, though, this was still 50-50.
The third major risk was in tinkering with the mythology. I am still of mixed opinions on this one. Now, it's hard to talk about Superman mythology with any definitive authority given that so many writers and artists have taken their hand at the legend. I, for one, never knew that Superman had super hearing. That's a new one on me. But, some sources list it as one of his powers. I've never seen him with that power in any of the cartoons or movies or tv series about Superman, however, it is one mentioned in various sources. So, therein, you can see the inconsistency of the mythology in the first place. One of the things that makes Superman super is that he can do just about anything while being invincible. He is the king of all superheroes and no one has ever made a better or more powerful superhero. He is an icon of good and truth for all societies of the world. So, I guess, tinkering with the mythology is part of the mythology itself and if others can do it, why not Bryan Singer. For, me, though, this was still 50-50.
"Bryan Singer brings the Superman franchise to a new level with bold vision, incredible effects, and a Superman who is vulnerable in ways we've never seen before but, yet, stronger than we've ever dreamed."
The fourth risk, as I see them, was to make this by far the darkest Superman film (not as dark as Batman Begins, but close) yet also the most humorous in a cultured not slapstick sense. This combination of humor and dark tragedy made for a more engaging story. While this dark approach worked so well with Spider-man and Superman, it does not work as well with Superman. Why? Because Superman is Superman. We don't want him to have anything dark about him. He's the one superhero we always need to be there for us and to be able to count on. There can never be a moment of doubt that he won't win every battle. A dark side definitely implies a big flaw or weakness. Superman is supposed to have only one: kryptonite.
All tolled, I would say the risks turned out 50-50. Superman Returns is, no doubt, a summer event film that will leave you salivating for a sequel. Not so much because this film was amazing, but because you want to see what happens next. Bryan Singer brings the Superman franchise to a new level with bold vision, incredible effects, and a Superman who is vulnerable in ways we've never seen before but, yet, stronger than we've ever dreamed. He took some risks that he can correct in the sequel—which I hope they will make.
All tolled, I would say the risks turned out 50-50. Superman Returns is, no doubt, a summer event film that will leave you salivating for a sequel. Not so much because this film was amazing, but because you want to see what happens next. Bryan Singer brings the Superman franchise to a new level with bold vision, incredible effects, and a Superman who is vulnerable in ways we've never seen before but, yet, stronger than we've ever dreamed. He took some risks that he can correct in the sequel—which I hope they will make.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
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Superman Returns [Blu-ray](2006)
Superman Returns [DVD](2006) DVD
Superman Returns (Widescreen Version) [DVD](2006) DVD
Superman Returns (Special Edition) [DVD](2006) DVD
Superman Returns: Apparel & Accessories
Books and Calendars • Toys & Games
Watches • Computer and Video Games
Films Starring: Kate Bosworth • Sam Huntington
James Marsden • Parker Posey • Kevin Spacey
| CD Soundtrack | VHS | DVD |
| PS2 | Book | Action Figure |
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Superman Returns [DVD](2006) DVD
Superman Returns Review-lite [150-word cap]
Movie executives are hoping Superman Returns will be THE motion picture event of the summer. Director Bryan Singer took some risks with the script in his attempt to appease enthusiasts. Less of a remake of the 1978 film and more of an homage-sequel, it takes place five years after Superman (Brandon Routh) leaves earth to check out the remnants of planet Krypton. Much has happened since he's been gone. Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), is now in a committed relationship and has won a Pulitzer Prize for her news story Why the World Doesn't Need Superman". The risks Singer took turned out 50-50. Superman Returns is a summer event film that will leave you salivating for a sequel. Bryan Singer brings the Superman franchise to a new level with bold vision, incredible effects, and a Superman who is vulnerable like we've never seen before, yet, stronger than we've ever dreamed.
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