Superman Returns New Dougherty and Harris Interview

[TerryBollea]

So what now, he can't express his opinion because he represents what you think of as a minority?

I personally liked the movie, hey it's Superman - the biggest hero I know. BUT - the movie was not epic, not a legendary movie like the first one. And what makes this movie a 7 and not a 10 is because of the screenwriters. They had a great concept, cast a great Superman and Lex, but the main villain story and the pacing of the movie was no success. They did the work of a slob. No perfection and lack of creative touch.

I think an extended version will be even better, but it wil not be a legendary movie that either.

The writers did not do a good enough job. At all!

Why would Superman go away right after he tells the President he would not forsake his duties one more time (end of Superman II).

It's a vague history. This has been explained for at least a good year. Besides, it's somewhat nitpicky.

Why did he not tell Lois, this is Superman for christ sake!

Because, as his been explained both offscreen and shown onscreen, Superman though invincible, is still a vulnerable, emotional being like the rest of us humans. This was shown in our beloved (and apparently untouchable) Donner films when Superman turns back time because of Lois and in Superman II (both Donner and Lester versions) when he gives up being Superman for Lois.

And just how was he able to lift an island when he was infected with kryptonite? He should not be able to walk.

The "rules" for Kryptonite were tweaked for this film. Kryptonite seems to affect him more when it's in very close proximity or piercing his skin. Besides, it was clearly shown in the film that immediately prior to lifting New Krypton, Superman flew into the sunlight to "recharge" himself. Also, the base of New Krypton was rock and it was CLEARLY shown onscreen that only as Superman lifted New Krypton into space that the kryptonite was starting to grow through the base of the continent. And there's also the dramatic aspect of showing Superman fighting through pain to overcome adversity even when there is impending doom.

This is the problem I have with the more fanboyish nitpicks. Every second of the film apparently needs endless amounts of exposition to explain what's going on, sort of like in a comic book. Singer and Co. understand that a movie relies on all it's elements (acting, dialogue, action, music, visuals) to tell its story. They also give the audience enough credit to infer and figure things out for themselves without hand holding.

They could have done more with the Lex beating Superman (why not let him be beaten in public, THAT would have made an impact on the audience. Why not let Lex tell him that he has a son etc.)

I don't see how any of that improves the film or the story.

The whole Krypton island thing was pretty lame. Even Atom-man and the stupid computer in Superman III was more creative then just another land scheme by Luthor. Why not let Lex be more like the businness genious he is in Smallville? I loved Kevin Spacey, he did a good job, but the Lex character is far more interesting in Smallville. They should have him running for governor in SR. THAT would be a nice change for Superman to adapt to (Hey, when Arnold can, clearly the worlds greatest criminal mind can).

This movie doesn't follow the comic, animated series, or Smallville continuity. It follows the Donner continuity. Again, pretty clear I thought.

They lack the creative touch and they are just not capable enough for the job. It was clear already in X2 (what saved that movie was the Wolverine side-story which already was written by other Marvel writers).

Nothing I've seen in this post shows any ideas for improving the story over what Singer and Co. came up with. I've seen a publc beating for Superman instead of a private one. Oh, and using Superman III and Superman vs. Atom-Man as examples of stories that Singer and Co. should aspire to. And an extra 5 or 6 hours of narrative and dialogue to explain what's happening on the screen.

 

[gaheris]

The sun recharing superman makes little sense to me if you consider the science of it. The strengthing would be mitigated by the kryptonite in his body and after being weakened wouldn't it take much longer to recharge than just a few moments in sunlight. The energy he gets from sunlight for his surface area is no where near the amount of energy he would need to do half the things he does as Superman. Also I thought that if had lost his powers shouldn't he been not able to fly.

The writers I think tried to do too much they needed to focus on a few themes and run with them through the whole movie but they did so much they couldn't do any of them amazingly and the fact that even with the risks they were still somewhat safe limited the film.

It is these inconsistencies and its ties to previous films that chain it and prevent it from being epic.

 

[Mister J]

You know what else makes little sense if you consider the science of it?...a man who flies, can see through anything but lead, fires lasers out of his eyes, etc. There is no defined science to it. Superman's power levels, as well as his reactions to kryptonite have fluctauted widely over the years in the varied media forms. There's nothing precise that points to how much energy he requires to do something, how long his powers take to recharge in proximity to the sun or exactly how weakened he is by kryptonite.

If the scenes after his fall from NK didn't resonate with you, that's one thing. However, actual science has little (if anything) to do with it. It's a world where people are fooled into believing adifferent identity through a pair of glasses, for cryin' out loud. Suspension of belief.

 

[dpm07]

The writers I think tried to do too much they needed to focus on a few themes and run with them through the whole movie but they did so much they couldn't do any of them amazingly and the fact that even with the risks they were still somewhat safe limited the film.

It is these inconsistencies and its ties to previous films that chain it and prevent it from being epic.

I agree with these two paragraphs.

 

[Steelsheen]

You know what else makes little sense if you consider the science of it?...a man who flies, can see through anything but lead, fires lasers out of his eyes, etc. There is no defined science to it. Superman's power levels, as well as his reactions to kryptonite have fluctauted widely over the years in the varied media forms. There's nothing precise that points to how much energy he requires to do something, how long his powers take to recharge in proximity to the sun or exactly how weakened he is by kryptonite.

If the scenes after his fall from NK didn't resonate with you, that's one thing. However, actual science has little (if anything) to do with it. It's a world where people are fooled into believing adifferent identity through a pair of glasses, for cryin' out loud. Suspension of belief.

good post

 

[dpm07]

You know what else makes little sense if you consider the science of it?...a man who flies, can see through anything but lead, fires lasers out of his eyes, etc. There is no defined science to it. Superman's power levels, as well as his reactions to kryptonite have fluctauted widely over the years in the varied media forms. There's nothing precise that points to how much energy he requires to do something, how long his powers take to recharge in proximity to the sun or exactly how weakened he is by kryptonite.

If the scenes after his fall from NK didn't resonate with you, that's one thing. However, actual science has little (if anything) to do with it. It's a world where people are fooled into believing adifferent identity through a pair of glasses, for cryin' out loud. Suspension of belief.

I agree with this post as well.

 

[Boiiinng]

The writers seem like class acts, from the small amount of correspondence I have had with Mike D. he has a good head on his shoulders.

Did you just say the writers were to immature to be writing COMIC BOOK MOVIES? Something is wrong about that remark.

Well, then you haven't read too many comic books lately.

 

[TNC9852002]

I'm glad that they're done with water...

Water scenes seem to bore me...I almost died trying to watch Thunderball..

-TNC