So how does it look self-important? You never explained that. I've seen ALL of the previews, and in fact the MOVIE, but nothing at all hints at being self-important. You want to see self important, watch the preview of "All the King's Men". You'll see how incorrectly you used that phrase. Any comic book movie fan should know that those movies place stronger emphasis on the main character than other types of genres, but that's because that is what attracts the fans and what the movie is about. But that isn't self-importance.
And someone doesn't have to have a "nack" for excitement and fun to be a good filmmaker. Direction has as far as I've seen has NEVER been a point of criticism for Superman Returns, merely the story and how the character of Superman is handled (too pessimistic).
I was disappointed with SR, and I would say it was merely a good movie, not great. There are moments of genius in that film that no other comic book movie --especially the unmemorable Spider-Man movies -- have duplicated, but unfortunately those moments are few and far between for me, and the plot holes are something else that brings the movie down.
But you know, like I've said before, you might actually try and see the film? It would give your arguments some actual validity.