Best modern Superman movie?

[Micromind]

Superman Returns.

 

[Lantern Venom]

First off notice how you never adress my point. That the movie focuses too much on the SUPER part of him not the MAN part. You adressed that people fear him and are against him which I have no issue with since that is among many obstacles is supposed to overcome. But in the end the movie is not examining Clarks upbrining and how while he has these amazing and fearsome powers he has grown up among two inclusive and empathetic people that taught Yes humans are *******s but we can change and you can help show them the way. They do throw in the by the number ******** monologues from Pa kent after the horrible parenting from him and Jor El but we never see Clark struggle with it or express in any way his opinions on it. MoS for struggles to actual capture Superman interesting and complex cobflicts and replace him with a generic whiny manchild.

I understood the point, and I still disagree. I've always felt that Kal was most certainly more "Super" than anything else. While he may experience deep and authentic human emotions and situations, he has a singular mission as a transcendent being that is always first and foremost in his life. The comics suggest that he might live and serve as a planetary protector for countless millennia. Despite the clumsy way that Jonathan Kent introduces this concept, it's still a valid theme. This realization carries more weight than any human problem that Clark Kent might face, which is what I found so appealing about MOS.

 

[SM_experiment]

I understood the point, and I still disagree. I've always felt that Kal was most certainly more "Super" than anything else. While he may experience deep and authentic human emotions and situations, he has a singular mission as a transcendent being that is always first and foremost in his life. The comics suggest that he might live and serve as a planetary protector for countless millennia. Despite the clumsy way that Jonathan Kent introduces this concept, it's still a valid theme. This realization carries more weight than any human problem that Clark Kent might face, which is what I found so appealing about MOS.

Okay but for me that theme has only some weight if he grown up and identifies with our world and its problems which the film never adresses in any way except clumsy HUMANITy sucks. I mean it is only a transcendant theme if he realises that all the people he cares for will die and that he will not be able to stop it. And you never bring up what makes him a guardian of this planet, which is again his humanity that he was raised here by good people with the normal problems and how he identifies with us. As he will protect the earth for countless of millenia because he has powers beyond ordinary but he will only do that because he identifies with and understands humanity and represent the best in us, not as a mopey man who runs from responsibilities and never even adress why he should be a hero in the first place. Which all good Superman story adresses. For me the Super part is uninteresting since yes he has powers but how he sees the world philosophically and why he is a hero and why he takes responsibility is so much more fascinating than this ****. For me none of the films story was behind it, since the emphased solely on how Alien he is the forgotten why should he protect us and be guardian. Simply because and that is offensive since Superman is a character who have always in the good stories (78 movie failed in this too) emphasized how he chose that path for himself which in MoS is undermined constantly by Pa Kent or Jor El speaking about what he should do but never showing us what his own opinions and feelings are.

The detached alien defending humanity is not Superman, it is Martian Manhunter. He is the one that constantly struggles to understand us, he constantly deals with being an alien with no attachment to us what so ever. But still he finds ways why defending Earth and people is important again themes not brought up in MoS except through horrible written dialogue that says things we are never shown thematically through the movie.

For me MoS makes Superman into a unoriginal whiny teenage angsty character with none of the uniqueness that makes him stand out as the greatest Superhero.

 

[DarkKnight]

Man. I decided to watch MOS again last night. Wanted to find something to hold me over until BvS Blueray release hits I cannot wait to watch that again. But I honestly can't believe that MOS still manages to choke me up in the same scenes every time. I swear my love for this film grows during each viewing.

I also watched Superman Returns like a week or so ago. While I admit it certainly is not my favorite Superman film it still does so many things well. Brandon was very enjoyable in that film and he was a great pick at the time especially considering it was a Donnor/Reeve homage sequel film.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

after recently watching SR for the first time since its theatrical release, I've decided to give it my vote.

Despite superman basically stalking Lois for most of the movie and having a son, I enjoyed the aesthetic of the film a lot more than what we are currently getting.

 

[AnneFan]

Not a fan of Superman Returns. Man of Steel was more to my liking in terms of ambition.

 

[Salutations]

Man of Steel.

 

[childeroland]

Superman Returns. "Best" of a bad bunch.

 

[vantheman77]

Man of Steel of course as I like seeing Superman kicking ass and taking names, along with not being afraid to fly.

 

[BlueLanternKal]

Man of Steel.

 

[DOBSON10]

I really love Man of Steel overall, it has some problems, like really bad comedic attempts, all the jokes failed pretty miserably. Lois Lane being shoehorned into all the action sequences for no reason other than Amy Adams being an A-Lister/needs screen time, Jonathan Kent's characterization has a couple really strange dialogues and the really cheesy Jor-El GPS scene. But otherwise I really like everything about MoS. One thing that really stands out to me about this movie, is that Zod and the Kyptonians really feel like a real threat, I can't say that about many villains in Comic Book movies. I think Cavill is great as Superman, though I do agree that they could add more depth/dialogue to his character (This is a bigger problem in BvS than MoS).

Superman Returns was just boring outside of the Plane rescue and a couple good scenes from Spacey. Routh is passable but pretty wooden overall. Spacey, while having a couple good moments is wasted potential for the most part. The side story of Superman's son is terrible.

BvS, is just a big mixed bag for me. Some cool parts, some terrible parts, alot of bad decisions in terms of the storyline etc. Cavill does good with what he's given but he's not given all that much to do acting wise.

Man of Steel in a landslide for me, it's one of my favorite CBM's and by far my favorite take on Superman in any medium.

 

[Mad Ones]

Man of Steel, easily. Not only is it my favourite out of all three but it's one of my favourites in the genre. I rank it highly for Cavill who managed to get me invested in a character in a way I haven't before, his chemistry with Amy Adams, the cast, and Zod's plan/motivations. The Smallville fight was really well done. It has problems - mainly Jonathan Kent and his death by tornado, and the long fight with Zod that threatens to just overwhelm the rest of the movie. But I like the world and its mythos.

I never really hated Superman Returns. I don't think Routh did a bad job. It was flawed from the start, though, as a sequel (kinda) to a 30 year series where 50% of those movies are hated. The cast mostly just tries and fails to imitate better versions of the characters. Luthor's plan and the over-the-top direction of the character were awful. While that kid was super annoying, the idea of Superman finding out that the concept of family didn't die with Krypton is worth exploring. Too bad it was such a mess.

BvS is dead last. Nothing I can say that hasn't been said over and over again.

 

[Midnite1971]

Wow....can't believe that Superman The Movie doesn't get more love from shh fans.
It's one of the originals. This movie created something special in my generation, but I guess I'm getting old and newer is always better.
Alas....the current generation will feel the same way when Superman Returns and Man of Steel are considered old and no longer "fresh". Always remember, your generations time in the limelight will come to an end.....and you'll wonder why.
I'm not bitter...nnaaaaaaaaa

 

[BlueLanternKal]

Wow....can't believe that Superman The Movie doesn't get more love from shh fans.
It's one of the originals. This movie created something special in my generation, but I guess I'm getting old and newer is always better.
Alas....the current generation will feel the same way when Superman Returns and Man of Steel are considered old and no longer "fresh". Always remember, your generations time in the limelight will come to an end.....and you'll wonder why.
I'm not bitter...nnaaaaaaaaa

If STM were the first exposure to Superman I ever had it'd probably be more important to me. But the Fleischer cartoons is my Superman nostalgia fest. I had that on VHS and probably went through 3 VCRs with that tape (I had a tendency to use the VCR as a hotwheels garage). When I got a little older maybe 4-6 I watched Superman 2. I didn't get a chance to watch Donner's STM until adulthood. It played like more of a romance film that a superhero film and that's fine (Deadpool is an Action/Raunchy Rom-Com after all ). But it's not for me, though I do like elements of it ie the world's greatest 2-person love triangle (despite it being dated as hell).

So, I guess it depends on age and people's first exposure to characters that will shape the personal fandom.

 

[Lantern Venom]

Wow....can't believe that Superman The Movie doesn't get more love from shh fans.

The OP asked which of the modern Superman movies, specifying the 3 from the last 10 years, was the best. That's why S:TM isn't even a poll option.

 

[Victarion]

BvS UC endeared the character to me. So, BvS UC.

 

[VelcroWallet]

Man of Steel

 

[elgaz]

Man Of Steel for me. I thought it brought Superman into the modern age perfectly, and with a bang. Cavill was perfect casting, the film looked fantastic, Zod made for a memorable and iconic villain, and the re-imagining of some aspects (Krypton's aesthetics, the whole genetics angle, etc) made for a more interesting backstory. It has its flaws of course, but what film doesn't? Overall it was just the perfect introduction to a modern Superman.

I was one of the camp who loved BvS also, but that's more a team-up movie than a Superman film to me.

As for Superman Returns, I just don't rate it at all. Nothing personal against Routh as he seems a nice guy in real life, but the entire premise was just a mistake from day one.

Trying to make a semi-continuation of Superman 1 & the Donner version of Superman II, whilst ignoring Superman III & IV, with a new actor who was obviously trying to channel some of his predecessor (Reeve), and with a new cast but re-using some old footage/audio (of Brando), and introducing a son whose mother had no memory of the conception, whose father knew he was his son but chose to remain at a distance, even thought he's meant to be one of the most upstanding and moral heroes of the modern age, and despite having the choice of a roster of amazing superpowered villains they went with one who's primary motivation is real estate ................... I mean, who on Earth sat down and read that treatment and thought, "now THERE's a great idea!!".

 

[Elevator Man]

Man Of Steel for me. I thought it brought Superman into the modern age perfectly, and with a bang. Cavill was perfect casting, the film looked fantastic, Zod made for a memorable and iconic villain, and the re-imagining of some aspects (Krypton's aesthetics, the whole genetics angle, etc) made for a more interesting backstory. It has its flaws of course, but what film doesn't? Overall it was just the perfect introduction to a modern Superman.

I was one of the camp who loved BvS also, but that's more a team-up movie than a Superman film to me.

As for Superman Returns, I just don't rate it at all. Nothing personal against Routh as he seems a nice guy in real life, but the entire premise was just a mistake from day one.

Trying to make a semi-continuation of Superman 1 & the Donner version of Superman II, whilst ignoring Superman III & IV, with a new actor who was obviously trying to channel some of his predecessor (Reeve), and with a new cast but re-using some old footage/audio (of Brando), and introducing a son whose mother had no memory of the conception, whose father knew he was his son but chose to remain at a distance, even thought he's meant to be one of the most upstanding and moral heroes of the modern age, and despite having the choice of a roster of amazing superpowered villains they went with one who's primary motivation is real estate ................... I mean, who on Earth sat down and read that treatment and thought, "now THERE's a great idea!!".

Superman never knew or assumed that Jason was his son. Lois revealed that to him at the hospital when he was in his coma. Why do you think after Supes got out of his coma he visited Jason's room and recited to him what Jor-El told him before sending him to Earth? That's why the deadbeat dad argument is BS.

 

[Val_Zod]

MOS easily.

 

[Motown Marvel]

Superman Returns. It has flaws, but it doesn't completely bastardize and malign its characters like MOS does.