Superman Returns How much homage is too much homage?

[Matt]

I was discussing this briefly with Divil over in the Kitty Kolowski thread, but I figured it kinda warranted its own.

Do you believe there is such a thing as too many homages to the Donner movies? For example, Superman says the same thing after he rescues the plane, Jor-El is the same, many of the scenes are similiar in design, the scene with Superman looking down upon ther earth and flying down, etc...

I think it is a bad move to have too many draw backs. It will only remind audiences of the 1970s movie to the point where it overshadows this one.

 

[The Kid]

the plane line, if said exactly like in the old movie, is overboard to me, old friend. I think it'll come off as redundant if that's all supes says when he captures aircraft. what say you...

 

[Kane]

I wouldnt agree. I think the vast majority of the people that will see this movie would not have seen the Donner film's and others may not even remember all these specific details.

Thus only the hardcore fans of the classic films or Superman in general will likely pick up on most of them. Using 'Brando' footage is a unique enough concept to generate some interesting press and interest about the film. Superman saying the same line from STM is a nice throwback to me.

An overdone homage would be the old movies actually influencing plot elements; Kitty saving Superman like Miss T in STM......so far the book confirms that doesnt happen...so we'll see.

 

[Jakomus]

Superman: The Movie never had Lois with a kid. Nuff said.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

too much homage borders on Remake

 

[xwolverine2]

too much homage borders on Remake

i agree.....

but look at KILLBILL

 

[Nivek]

But where do you draw the line between homage and "carrying on tradition"?

Theres certain things people exspect from a Superman film, just look at all the hub-bub about the shirt rip.

 

[Matt]

But where do you draw the line between homage and "carrying on tradition"?

Theres certain things people exspect from a Superman film, just look at all the hub-bub about the shirt rip.

I think we can agree there is a difference between tearing a shirt and using an exact line (not a catch phrase either, but an actual line of dialouge...a cheesey one at that) or exact scene.

 

[Matt]

too much homage borders on Remake

I'm not sure I get the implication Hulk. Are you implying that too much homage will create a remake or that the only way to have to much homage is by doing a borderline remake?

 

[xwolverine2]

I think we can agree there is a difference between tearing a shirt and using an exact line (not a catch phrase either, but an actual line of dialouge...a cheesey one at that) or exact scene.

which one?

the "its a bird its plane.." nonsense?

 

[Matt]

the plane line, if said exactly like in the old movie, is overboard to me, old friend. I think it'll come off as redundant if that's all supes says when he captures aircraft. what say you...

I don't like the plane line at all. It is as if they picked the corniest, worst line in the Donner movie, and redid it. I can almost imagine Routh staring into the camera, with a big goofy smile saying it, like some second rate 80s action hero.

 

[Matt]

which one?

the "its a bird its plane.." nonsense?

After he saves the plane "Don't let this put you off flying, its still statistically the safest way to travel"

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

I'm not sure I get the implication Hulk. Are you implying that too much homage will create a remake or that the only way to have to much homage is by doing a borderline remake?

I'm saying that if you do too many homages to a prior film, you're bordering on just remaking the thing. It's nice to give a small "shout" to the predecessors, but when you start imitating too much of it, you're basically remaking the same film.

 

[Matt]

I'm saying that if you do too many homages to a prior film, you're bordering on just remaking the thing. It's nice to give a small "shout" to the predecessors, but when you start imitating too much of it, you're basically remaking the same film.

Ah, I see. I agree.

 

[xwolverine2]

After he saves the plane "Don't let this put you off flying, its still statistically the safest way to travel"

oh... i never knew that was in

 

[Kane]

After he saves the plane "Don't let this put you off flying, its still statistically the safest way to travel"

Theres a difference though. The effect of that line is supposed to cause Lois Lane to realize he remembers her and everything when he saves her. He even winks at her after saying that.

Its just one line that bears some significance thanks to the familiarity of it with the Lois character. It sparks her memories of when they first met.

 

[Matt]

oh... i never knew that was in

Its in the book anyhow.

 

[Matt]

Theres a difference though. The effect of that line is supposed to cause Lois Lane to realize he remembers her and everything when he saves her. He even winks at her after saying that.

Its just one line that bears some significance thanks to the familiarity of it with the Lois character. It sparks her memories of when they first met.

Regardless, its a corny line. It was corny then, it will be corny now, especially with the wink. I shudder to think of how corny that will be. It'll make the scene with the dog covering its eyes in Fantastic Four look like Citizen Kane.

 

[Steelsheen]

i'll have to see the whole film first to see if its one too many.

they could borrow every classic one-liner from the Donner films but still make it their own, and you can come up with an original line and still come off as a rip-off.

 

[explode7]

I have a question:"How much nitpicking is too much nitpicking?"

 

[Steelsheen]

I have a question:"How much nitpicking is too much nitpicking?"

not enough for a "super-nerd fan" apparently

 

[xwolverine2]

I have a question:"How much nitpicking is too much nitpicking?"

lol........

 

[Kane]

Regardless, its a corny line. It was corny then, it will be corny now, especially with the wink. I shudder to think of how corny that will be. It'll make the scene with the dog covering its eyes in Fantastic Four look like Citizen Kane.

Another prediction from the future?

Honestly its just one line and people have different opinions, I personally thought it was awesome hes saying it. I wouldnt have it any other way and would be very disapointed if its cut out...or not in the actual film! Its a nice tie-in to the original. ....and really, its just one line...out of a 2hr 50 minute cut.

Would you really let one line that you personally dislike ruin the entire film for you?

 

[Kane]

I have a question:"How much nitpicking is too much nitpicking?"

lol indeed.

 

[spencer6891]

Can you really consider it "homage" if it's in the same realm/subject matter? I would say the Spider-man shirt rip was an homage to Superman, because he's a totally different character in a totally different set of movies. But Superman doing/saying some of the same things in this film as he did in the Donner films...I wouldn't consider that an homage. Especially considering this film is a semi-continuation of the Donner films.