DId Superman Returns get the ultimate mixed reception?

[Kevin Roegele]

This is not in the Superman Returns forums because I want to discuss the reaction to the movie, rather than react to the movie.

Superman Returns seems to get almost a 50/50 positive/negative reaction. Don't recall anything else being that way. The first two Spider-Man movies, the first two X-Men movies, Batman Begins, all recieved largely very positive reactions. Elektra, Catwoman, Blade Trinity and LXG got mainly the opposite. Even Hulk seems to garner mainly criticism, even though there are plenty who praise it.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I think that a lot of people who are dissing Superman Returns are people who were dissing it before it even came out in theaters and never gave the film a chance. And most of the people who do diss it, say stupid things while bashing it (I said most, not all, some actually do it very intelligently and coherently)

 

[The Kid]

there may be some, and the same can be said of those who gush over it too that they were prepared to do so long before seeing the film.

I view it as a decent fan film, but not a great superman film. And I believe it's that way for many out there who don't outright hate it, but don't orgasmically love it either. It's very lukewarm and mixed, as you say Kevin. And to some that's a huge dissapointment after years of waiting and anticapation during the chaotic crap of its development.

I can only say I'm sure what I think. Honestly the rest of you I don't really care about that much. I don't know you lot.

 

[Flexo]

I view it as a decent fan film, but not a great superman film. And I believe it's that way for many out there who don't outright hate it, but don't orgasmically love it either. It's very lukewarm and mixed, as you say Kevin. And to some that's a huge dissapointment after years of waiting and anticapation during the chaotic crap of its development.

Not to mention having high expectations with a budget that large.

 

[Lord Blackbolt]

With a budget that large...after seeing the movie I go.....where'd all that money go?

Superman was hardly in the movie....and why is it that he did things on a much grander scale in a 70's movie. This is 2000....the only cool visual scene in this movie was the plane scene and the bullet to the eye.

I still like Superman returns though. Not my favorite superman movie at all though.

 

[Karea07]

The movie was good, but excellent? -- no.

It was good like X-Men 3 was good... still far from perfect.

 

[Lex Luthor]

I basically viewed SR as a "elseworlds" movie.
An ok movie, but definately not what I would have wished to have seen after such a long wait. I agree that the reaction to this film is one of the most mixed reactions I have ever seen. And the closest would have to be HULK. Although with HULK, I think that film actually got a bit more of a positive reaction than SR. But thats just my perception.

 

[CConn]

The thing that I don't really get is...in all the polls on here, SR is shown as being favorite - people's favorite, or second favorite Superman movie, yet if you look at any of the discussion about it, you'd think it was horrible.

So yeah, I'd say it's pretty mixed.

 

[Lex Luthor]

Thats exactly right. And honestly, one of the things I find really interesting about the SR reaction now that you mention it. I mean, the polls and reviews seem to favor a positive reaction, yet go to any discussion where fans are posting their thoughts about the film, and it's definately more 50/50.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Another reason why people probally b***h about Superman Returns. It wasn't the Superman movie that they themselves wanted. Some wanted the new Superman 3 that we got. Some wanted a complete restart like Batman Begins was. Some wanted Smallville: The Movie.

 

[The Kid]

I got the piano-chucking Kid I wanted and really did enjoy the sound of the piano crushing that dumb guy, but that's all. the rest I can live without.

 

[Arcturus]

To be honest, I never bothered seeing Superman Returns, is it worth it?

 

[hippie_hunter]

To be honest, I never bothered seeing Superman Returns, is it worth it?

Personally, I loved it.

 

[CConn]

I loved it as well.

Another reason why people probally b***h about Superman Returns. It wasn't the Superman movie that they themselves wanted. Some wanted the new Superman 3 that we got. Some wanted a complete restart like Batman Begins was. Some wanted Smallville: The Movie.

Yeah, that's a point I really agree with. The movie was really screwed before it even came out. No matter which way they went in making it, 2/3s of the fans would always be unhappy with it.

 

[Red Mask]

This is not in the Superman Returns forums because I want to discuss the reaction to the movie, rather than react to the movie.

Superman Returns seems to get almost a 50/50 positive/negative reaction. Don't recall anything else being that way. The first two Spider-Man movies, the first two X-Men movies, Batman Begins, all recieved largely very positive reactions. Elektra, Catwoman, Blade Trinity and LXG got mainly the opposite. Even Hulk seems to garner mainly criticism, even though there are plenty who praise it.

Superman has become different things to different people. It's a simple concept that's grown into a cultural icon.

 

[Lex Luthor]

I loved it as well.
Yeah, that's a point I really agree with. The movie was really screwed before it even came out. No matter which way they went in making it, 2/3s of the fans would always be unhappy with it.

Theres alot of truth in that, but I think the majority of the people who b*tch about SR are people who wanted a reboot, or a SR movie that was completely fresh, and with it's own originality rather than stick with the Donner-verse. Unfortunately for alot of us out there, SR was anything but inspiring.

The Donner-verse is cool and all, but I personally dont consider it anything remarkably special. And I damn sure dont consider S:TM to be THE Superman movie. Same goes for the Burton-verse with Batman. Both interpretations are not without flaws, but thankfully Nolan tried something completely new, and original. I really didnt get this from SR, but I am happy some people were able to enjoy it. I just wasnt one of them.

 

[CConn]

A movie should be judged on its own merits, not simply what you want it to be. IMHO, at least.

 

[DACrowe]

It is a decent movie that failed to live up to people's expectations from modern superhero movies after Spider-Man 2 and Batman Begins so it was somewhat fairly and somewhat unjustly butchered then.

 

[Hoedowned]

To be honest, I never bothered seeing Superman Returns, is it worth it?

If you like the originals (but still recognize it's flaws), then yes. If not...forget it.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

I didnt like the originals, but loved SR, so just go V4L and make up your own mind.

 

[The Kid]

How is that possible... The movie is retreading the original in almost every scene right down to the opening credits, krypton's explosion, brando's return, lex's plan, and some of the dialogue. If you didn't like the original, there's not much to hold on to your interest here in this love letter to it, unless you're a fan of Jason Like me.

 

[The Sage]

I loved it. I know other people didn't, and that doesn't bother me.

 

[The Kid]

X3's reaction was pretty mixed too, if memory serves

 

[DACrowe]

Yeah but it was mostly negative though.

 

[The Kid]

hmmm... I don't remember that. The Guard was arguing in those long posts about how brilliant the film was for a while and lots of people were arguing for it, I think there were gif threads, Oh and Lightning Strikes was there too, we had a little discussion about storm's behavior... so it seemed mostly a lot of mixed feelings swirling around underneath a positive reaction to certain things like I'm the Juggernaut Bich, and problems mostly orbiting about cyclops and Wolverclops. Some jerk back on the boards even told me he hopes I choke on the movie... ha ha ha it was nuts for a while.