Sandman138 said:Finnaly got around to writing a review.
Superman Returns
2006
Brian Singer
9/10
This was the superhero film I was waiting for, so it should come as no surprise that I'm in a seeming minority for loving it. Superman is a hard character to make interesting. Simply put, he's perfect, and perfection is boring. How do you create dramatic tension without character flaws? Singer came up with a fantastic answer: give perfection a price. Throughout the entire movie, Clark Kent attempts to fit back into his old life, but he finds this impossible, as the world needs Superman at every moment of every day; and as Superman, he can save humanity, but it's obvious he could never have a life among them. Superman can save Lois, but she needs someone who doesn't belong to the world when it comes to love and support. When he descends from the sky bearing the Daily Planet Globe, he is Atlas, bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders, and that is his fate. When Lex spouts that seemingly "campy real-estate" line about "Two places cannot share the same space, it's simple physics", he's not talking about New Krypton, he's talking about the major theme of this movie. This all comes to a head in that great 15-20 minutes after Superman has saved the world from New Krypton. The paramedics try and save their savior, only to find that there is nothing they can do to help him. As he lies on his deathbed, his own mother can't even say goodbye to him in person, she's just another face in a crowd of millions. When he wakes he finds he has a son who he can never be a father to, something that is heartbreaking because we all seek to rectify the inadequacies of our own parents. Yet, even under these tremendous burdens, Superman continues to bare his role as savior. We come to understand that what makes him so amazing is not that he can change the course of mighty rivers, but that he does so for people he can never be a part of. That is a strong and moving thematic, and it is strengthened by the most gorgeous cinematography I have seen in ages. I'm a strong proponent of film, but this movie basically proved HD will make it obsolete. The images were breathtakingly beautiful from start to finish. Add a great score and great acting on all parts (Routh is fantastic, not just in line delivery but in his stoically pained observance of a world he longs to be part of) and you have one fantastic film. I really hope WB signs Singer on for a sequel because to see him improve on what he has created would really be a treat.
Sandman138 said:Finnaly got around to writing a review.
Superman Returns
2006
Brian Singer
9/10
This was the superhero film I was waiting for, so it should come as no surprise that I'm in a seeming minority for loving it. Superman is a hard character to make interesting. Simply put, he's perfect, and perfection is boring. How do you create dramatic tension without character flaws? Singer came up with a fantastic answer: give perfection a price. Throughout the entire movie, Clark Kent attempts to fit back into his old life, but he finds this impossible, as the world needs Superman at every moment of every day; and as Superman, he can save humanity, but it's obvious he could never have a life among them. Superman can save Lois, but she needs someone who doesn't belong to the world when it comes to love and support. When he descends from the sky bearing the Daily Planet Globe, he is Atlas, bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders, and that is his fate. When Lex spouts that seemingly "campy real-estate" line about "Two places cannot share the same space, it's simple physics", he's not talking about New Krypton, he's talking about the major theme of this movie. This all comes to a head in that great 15-20 minutes after Superman has saved the world from New Krypton. The paramedics try and save their savior, only to find that there is nothing they can do to help him. As he lies on his deathbed, his own mother can't even say goodbye to him in person, she's just another face in a crowd of millions. When he wakes he finds he has a son who he can never be a father to, something that is heartbreaking because we all seek to rectify the inadequacies of our own parents. Yet, even under these tremendous burdens, Superman continues to bare his role as savior. We come to understand that what makes him so amazing is not that he can change the course of mighty rivers, but that he does so for people he can never be a part of. That is a strong and moving thematic, and it is strengthened by the most gorgeous cinematography I have seen in ages. I'm a strong proponent of film, but this movie basically proved HD will make it obsolete. The images were breathtakingly beautiful from start to finish. Add a great score and great acting on all parts (Routh is fantastic, not just in line delivery but in his stoically pained observance of a world he longs to be part of) and you have one fantastic film. I really hope WB signs Singer on for a sequel because to see him improve on what he has created would really be a treat.
Wesyeed said:kinda like spider-man 2. So superman can't raise his own son? That's terrible.
He'll train him and they'll both save the world together. You'll see.
\S/JcDc\S/ said:After pondering a good bit, I'm almost 100% sure that if there were 1 supervillain such as Superman having a first encounter with Metallo (heck leave Braniac mysterious for now) it would have brought in a bigger audience. A few more money action shots, a fight between Supes and Metallo, maybe ending up in a draw... That would have kept the casual audience into it while not alienating the Superman fan base. I feel it was a good origin story and saw the point of no supervillain, but at the same time if there were one I wouldn't have objected so it would have helped the film more than hurt it.
Super_Child said:Well we have $360 million Worldwide now. Don't know where the box office thread went but thats good newsI loved the movie and for all the positive reviews it should have made more money, its strange.
X-Maniac said:Not so strange really. Reviews mean nothing these days - critics have lost their power due to the internet being the one to give us the exclusive information and images.
X-Maniac said:Singer was too indulgent and dark... the movie needed a brighter touch
XCharlieX said:Yeah well... if people are beginning to listen to complaining fansites now... this means critics have lost to geeks. Thats horrific lol
XCharlieX said:And perhaps this was a fluke that may be changed. All i know is it was strangely close to my style and ill enjoy it while it lasts.
X-Maniac said:I don't think that's the case. The media runs a lot of previews of upcoming movies (in newspapers, movie magazines, cable channels) in which they show clips or discuss things... those create a positive or negative buzz.
X-Maniac said:I'm not a huge fan of the movie. I saw it, I was disappointed... despite the wonderful moments and Bryan's production values. I think it needed a much fresher look to succeed