Superman Returns (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Bilingual)

 

 

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Superman Returns assumes the appalling 80's sequels Superman 3 and Superman 4 never took place, and picks up following the events of Superman 2. In that film, starring the late Christopher Reeve and the might-as-well-be late Margot Kidder, Kal-El erased Lois's memory of their consummation and vanquished the three Kryptonian villains.

Now, Superman returns to Earth after spending five years in space needlessly trying to find himself. This plot point is one of the most misguided ideas ever to come out of Hollywood. Those involved are clearly unaware and ignorant of the Superman mystique which has evolved over the last six decades. By saddling the Man of Steel with angst, he regresses to the pubescent teen and outcast he overcame years earlier. Barely-out-of-the-cradle writers Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris have likely watched too many episodes of Dawson's Creek -- they are too ignorant to realize that changing the core concept of a franchise does not improve matters, but spoils and bastardizes it.

Upon resuming his job at The Daily Planet, Clark finds that Lois Lane now has a 4-year-old son and a long-time fiancé. She claims to have moved on with her life, but if she really had she would be married. Lois has also written an article entitled, "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman", a rant that is cynical even for her. This begs the question, "Does the World Need Another Superman Movie?" Perhaps, providing one can view this film as being set in an alternate reality, unlike the original films set in our own contemporary existence. After all, in an age of anti-American terrorists, chasing down bank robbers and power-mad maniacs like Lex Luthor seems dated and trivial.

Once more, Luthor hopes to gain a monopoly on seafront property. (In the original film, he bought up land in Nevada and attempted to sink California into the sea by triggering a giant earthquake.) This time, utilizing Kal-El's crystals from the Fortress of Solitude, he creates a new continent in the Atlantic. But far too much time is expended on this blackened wasteland -- even the concomitant action cannot alleviate a viewer's boredom with the drab visuals.

Relative newcomer Brandon Routh (the ninth actor to play the Man of Steel) shines in the heroic role despite, or because, of the fact he has little to say. But he is unable to pull off the nerd-like qualities so necessary for Clark Kent. Kate Bosworth is poorly cast, having neither the savvy sex appeal nor heartsick vulnerability necessary for Lois. And there are no sparks between them whatsoever.

As Lex Luthor, Kevin Spacey follows the standard set by Gene Hackman, but tends to overact. James Marsden, as Richard White, is a devoted family-man to Lois and their son, creating a sympathetic character out of little screen time. The cast also includes Eva Marie Saint as Martha Kent, Frank Langella as Perry White, the ever-unappealing Parker Posey as Luthor's moll, and Sam Huntington as Jimmy Olsen, none of whom are memorable. It is interesting to note that an unrecognizable Noel Neill (the first Lois Lane) appears as a dying heiress.

Homage is paid to the 1978 feature through archival footage of Marlon Brando as Jor-El, a photo of Jonathan Kent as played by Glenn Ford, and the infamous Addis Ababa meteorite, while the stirring theme by John Williams has been wisely resurrected. Further, a scene showing the faces of Lois, Richard and their son trapped beneath a porthole in a sunken ship is eerily reminiscent of the Phantom Zone, which figured so prominently in the first two films.

Director Bryan Singer, who teamed with the writers on X2, creates some exciting disaster and rescue sequences, but otherwise simply points the camera to shoot the intervening dialogue. Unfortunately, their attempt to cram so many elements into the film brings it to an unnecessary 149 minutes.

Although Superman Returns is an entertaining and intriguing movie that makes for fine summer fare, its flaws will prevent it from becoming a reverent classic. Rating: 5 out of 10.

I was extrememly excited when this movie was announced, but I must say that the film topped even my high expectations. Here, Superman returns to a world that doesn't need him. He's isolated. He's alone. And nobody loves him. I was intrigued by the way Superman became, through the course of this movie, a much more individualist hero. His fight is both with the villans that despise him and with the society that has moved on without him. Aside from the fact that the score was unbelievable -- and had nice echoes of the old John Williams scores --, the special effects are subtly done, and integrated nicely to the movie. Well done, Mr. Singer. I'm anticipating the sequel.

I was more excited to see Superman Returns than I usually am for a film like this because it is a continuation of a franchise that I loved as a kid. If you haven't seen Superman The Movie and/or Superman II but you are planning on seeing Superman Returns then I also recommend watching the originals. I say that because they will probably enhance your appreciation of the new film. Superman Returns has a new story, but the way this film is linked together with the originals in regard to the father and son relationships is extraordinary. There are also references in Superman Returns to the comics and the Max Fleischer cartoons of the 1940's.

The Story:

Superman has been gone for 5 years, yet nobody but his adopted mother knows where he went or why he left. The world has moved on. Once he returns he finds a world that is in worse shape than he left it. Lex Luthor has machinations on another real-estate plan, this time using Superman's crystal technology stolen from the Fortress of Solitude. And Lois Lane is engaged and a mother. Yet unlike most everyone else she is not too thrilled to see Superman return as she is still hurt by the fact that he left her without ever saying good-bye. The end is not a happy one, but rather bittersweet instead. And there is one incredibly heart-wrenching scene in particular when Superman confronts Lex and his henchman that is almost too emotional to watch.

Despite the fact that Superman is an alien, Earth's protector seems at times more human in spirit in this film than ever before. In Superman Returns Kal-El has to let go of Jason, his only son, for the sake of his sons well-being. And the best he can do is be a light from afar rather than the father at hand. It is a story arc that brings Superman full circle from his rebellion against Jor-El (played by Marlon Brando) in Superman The Movie, and he now finds himself in his father's place. Meanwhile, Jason is to be raised by his mother and adopted father similar to how Clark was raised by the Kents.

The Cast:

Kate Bosworth is solid as a more mature Lois Lane than previously seen on screen. Lois still has spunk and tenacity, and she still gets herself in over her head, but here we get to witness her maternal side. Her son, Jason, is played well by young actor Tristan Leabu. And James Marsden also does solid work as Perry White's nephew and Lois's fiance, Richard White. Perry White himself is portrayed by veteran actor Frank Langella who looks perfect for the role, but who comes across as too reserved than the boisterous editor & chief of the Daily Planet is supposed to be. Sam Huntington however, is perfect in the role of Jimmy Olsen. And Parker Posey is a sensation as Kitty Kowalsky.

I wish Eva Marie Saint, who plays Martha Kent, had been shown more. Her performance is sublime, but she is largely unused. Kevin Spacey is a natural as Lex Luthor, a more sinister but somewhat less entertaining version than Gene Hackman's portrayal from 1978. And Brandon Routh delivers. His Superman is a man of few words, a stoic figure. And his Clark Kent is the same sweet, clumsy, 'nice guys finish last' character that he should be. One drawback of his performance however is the fact that many lines of dialogue from Superman The Movie are re-used here (yet with a twist) inviting comparisons to Christopher Reeve's portrayal of Superman. I may be biased, but as good as Routh is (and he does a great job) he does not yet bring to the role the same charisma that Reeve had.

Other Notes:

The music in the film is another star. John Williams' famous Superman March is heard throughout, but this is without a doubt composer and editor John Ottman's score. From the opening credits to the closing ones, his music creates a superb ambiance. The craftmanship that went into the set pieces is also expert (the Daily Planet set being a stand out), and the cinematography and colour palettes are gorgeous.

In all, Superman Returns is a great film despite its flaws. It is a tragic love story about an alien, out of place and alone, who can't even receive a visit from his mother when in hospital. Many comic book adaptions lack one specific ingredient - heart. Well, Superman Returns is a film that has plenty, a strength that lifts it above some weaknesses in the script. Director Bryan Singer and his writers sometimes take their homage to the original film a little too far, and Lex's desire for revenge and his real-estate ploy could have been fleshed out better. But when the film gets things right, it really gets them right. The special effects are amazing, there are rousing and thrilling moments throughout, and most of all Superman Returns is a very human drama about a very messianic hero. On that account, it succeeds.

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3.0 out of 5 stars a bit of a letdown
considering the hype for this movie,i thought it would be better than
it was.it wasn't a horrible movie,but i don't think it lived up to the
Superman name. Read more

Published on Nov 10 2007 by falcon

3.0 out of 5 stars Superman Fails to Take Flight
The Man of Steel had vanished for 5 long years.

The world moved on.

So did the one person everyone thought never would: Lois Lane. Read more

Published on Sep 27 2007 by A.P. Fuchs / Canister X

3.0 out of 5 stars Mild return from Superman
I've noticed a lot of people were hungry for this film to come out and ended up somewhat satisfied with the product. Read more

Published on Aug 31 2007 by Jenny J.J.I.

5.0 out of 5 stars Never really was a super-hero fan until I saw this.
I don't have much to say about this- but it is a really great movie recommended for all! (Although it does have a high rating).

Published on July 8 2007 by Pro-reviewer

4.0 out of 5 stars Whoville?
I enjoy Smallville and wondered about the wisdom of making this movie. Yet, somehow the two never overlap in my mind. This movie is stand-alone and quite well done. Read more

Published on Feb 8 2007 by Ella

4.0 out of 5 stars Kal-el Williams
Is there a more recognizable theme than the Superman theme? John Williams knocked another one out of the park in 1978 for the original Superman film, and then was fired from the... Read more

Published on Jan 30 2007 by Paul Mackinnon

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh so much better than expected!
Although I saw the Christopher Reeve movies years ago, I remember little about them, and never liked them very much. Read more

Published on Dec 23 2006 by Serendipity

4.0 out of 5 stars Superman Returned
It was refreshing to see, finally, a movie that stayed true to the Reeves film - it was the only true iconic portrayal of Superman, with a light layer of cheese. Read more

Published on Nov 3 2006 by Rambling Man

1.0 out of 5 stars Superman Returns
Haing been a comic book fanatic for over 30 years, this was a much anticipated release that translated into a huge disappointment. Read more

Published on Oct 16 2006 by Philip Turner

2.0 out of 5 stars Super on the comeback for now!
Okay so I seen the movie in theaters like a lot of people. I am still going to buy this movie. why? Well, I believe they pulled it off. Read more

Published on Oct 12 2006 by A. Chaney

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