Superman Returns Superman Returns:Final Thoughts

[GarudA]

Sure, Superman III and Superman IV were great
The truth is that Superman: The Movie was a movie of the same level of Superman Returns, with even the same problems (lack of action, "campy" Lex and so called "boring moments" included).
Hypocrisy reigns supreme in this forum.

You can say that Singer did a mistake because the Donner's vision is too dated for the 2006; I don't agree, but the critic is legit. I can bet that NOW S:TM is considered boring by the 95% of the teen-agers.
But the story of the Reeve films were great and SR sucks, it's the greatest BS ever written.

What is it with you people, I just posted a opinion, if you do not like it, then do not reply, and did I say that Superman 3 and 4 were good in the first place? Idiot!!!!. S:TM boring? Dude did you see the same movie, it did not have much action but was interesting and Epical. SR had nothing interesting and mostly everything was already done before.

If you do not like my final thoughts, then don't reply, dumbass.

 

[DCW]

Superman Returns has made me a Superman fan. I absolutley love this movie, and it is easily the best Superman film to date IMO. It's my secod favorite superhero film, only behind Batman Begins. I cannot wait to see the sequel.

 

[Mister J]

What is it with you people, I just posted a opinion, if you do not like it, then do not reply, and did I say that Superman 3 and 4 were good in the first place? Idiot!!!!. S:TM boring? Dude did you see the same movie, it did not have much action but was interesting and Epical. SR had nothing interesting and mostly everything was already done before.

If you do not like my final thoughts, then don't reply, dumbass.

\Maybe if you can't handle people criticizing your opinion without flying into a hissyfit, you shouldn't post it in a public forum.

 

[GreenKToo]

^ I agree...

 

[PemLam]

I just saw the movie for the first time (I've been deployed to the Middle East) and while there were some cheesy points, I found the movie to be good overall.
I haven't read or collected comics in over 15 years and haven't seen the original Superman films since they came out, so I didn't notice, nor do I really care about any slight (or major) liberties the new director took. What I went for was to relive some of the magic that I felt as a boy watching the original Superman...what it would be like to fly, to be that strong, to be invulnerable, to be the hero. I look forward to the sequel...whatever it may hold.

 

[GarudA]

\Maybe if you can't handle people criticizing your opinion without flying into a hissyfit, you shouldn't post it in a public forum.

That is becauses the thread asks for everyones finals thoughts on the movie, which I gave, it does not ask for a debate. Because everything thing has already been said, I have already argued does points many many times before and have goten tired of replying.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I watched it for the first time since the cinema the other night and it's a conflicting movie
Removed from the first time experience on the big screen with the surround sound it loses some of it's impact and the flaws become more glaring than ever
It's a movie about the little moments for me,sure the story is poor,there are plot holes you can drive a mack truck through and some of the characterization is woeful but the film looks stunning if a little dull and the little magic moments are peppered throughout to make it an enjoyable film to watch

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

I respect and adore Superman Returns.

There are things to be criticized, most of which I have no personal issue with, but I can understand where others are coming from.

However, regardless of whether or not you disagree with the direction Bryan Singer chose to go in with this film (follow-up to the Donner films, Jason, real estate Lex), you cannot deny its heart. There is passion here, great passion by Bryan Singer. His vision may be different than some of ours (it's not exactly the way I would have done it), but it is a vision that he was clearly passionate about delivering. It was not a commitee movie, and for that I'm grateful. Whenever an artist is able to accomplish what he sets out for, I'm happy. And I'm doubly happy when that artist has made something that speaks to me.

It's funny how movies inspire different reactions in people. Some people found the movie boring, dreary and unfaithful to the mythos. I found it stirring, uplifting and..that was SUPERMAN up there, for me. My heart pounded during Supes' amazing feats, I got goosebumps by the rousing score, I was deeply upset seeing Supes get the beating of his life (and I'm no pushover), and I was touched by the relationships between Superman, Lois, Jason and even Richard.

I saw it four times in the theatre (one in IMAX) and I've just gotten it in my Ultimate Collection set; I can't wait to watch it again. Thumbs up.

 

[Mister J]

That is becauses the thread asks for everyones finals thoughts on the movie, which I gave, it does not ask for a debate. Because everything thing has already been said, I have already argued does points many many times before and have goten tired of replying.

Debate on a meesage board breaking out without specific instruction? Heaven forbid!

This truly is a job for Superman!

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

Its a movie that has great parts but on the whole is not so great. It contains moments better than most comic book movies out there (esp. Spiderman), but it in itself suffers from too many flaws to elevate it as great.

First, it needed to be clearer how much it borrowed from the previous Superman movies. I don't think the filmmakers ever decided or agreed. Why not just acknowledge ALL the movies and call this one Superman V.

Second, too many CGI Rouths. Sorry, but some of those effects were unnecessary and more of a "look what we can do" Lucas Clonetrooper type show off effect.

Third, too many plot holes and lack of logic. The whole scene involving the EMP origin and the part afterwards when she goes aboard the boat defy logic.

Fourth, and most importantly, the story. Superman wouldn't selfishly just leave without telling anyone. He's pretty dumb if he expected everyone to wait on and forgive him. Now had he delivered a speech announcing his intentions, that would be better. But then again it wouldnt allow the filmmakers to introduce this 'redemption' factor into the story that manages to darken the story and the character of Superman. Superman also wouldn't be a peeping tom like he was in the movie, and use his powers for selfish reasons.

Now it did get a lot of things right. Great individual moments -- like the plane save, the globe catching, etc. The music was great, mostly the Williams stuff of course, and I am glad they went that route instead of making up new music that wouldn't have been anywhere close to the greatness that Williams made

The costume has grown on me. Anyone who thinks he should have had a Reeves type costume needs to open their eyes. It was a great costume...in the 70's and 80's, with their bright color fashions. But not now. I wish they could make some changes, but the colors are almost perfect on film save for a little needed brightening.

Routh was good, and I think will only get better. Bosworth was pretty meh, but hopefully she'll grow into the role as well. Spacey was good, but I think the story kept him from truly nailing it. Everyone else was pretty good.

And the ending was brilliant. One of the best comic book endings ever.

Out of 4 stars, I'd say probably 2 and a half. Maybe 3.

 

[Miranda Fox]

Well, if anyone cares about the opinion of someone whose not really into Supes:

I didn't mind it. The plot was a bit of a mess, which is a shame, because there was a good film in there. A really good film. But it never appeared.

However, that wasn't what let it down for me. It was the fact that, in a film about Superman, the special effects (save for the ones in the third act) were very meh. Superman is the kind of film where they could - and should - have pulled out all the stops to wow people. I give Singer credit for trying but in the end I have the same issue with SR as I do with Raimi's Spider-man films - bad CGI pulls me out of the story. It's never been a *big* issue, mind, but I know Singer can do better. Hopefully he will.

What I did enjoy were the performances. Yes, even Kate Bosworth whom I was utterly prepared to be disappointed by. Brandon is a solid Superman and again, with a better script, he'd shine.

Having said that - I actually think Singer has some potential. I know saying that is considered a hanging offence around here* but it is how I feel. SR to me was a whole lot of missed opportunities and if Bryan can rectify that with the sequel, you Supes fans should have a hella good film.

Of course, if he doesn't...then somebody else who does should get a chance.



*Sarcasm.

 

[ultimatefan]

My final thoughts are to simply give this movie time. Don´t forget that Donner did a lot of "herectic" things in his Superman movies too. At least once, try to see the movie objectively, for what it is, not for what you preconceived it should be before seeing a single frame of it.

 

[El Payaso]

I loved it since the first time, even when I hated everything about it previously.

 

[Rob-el]

To me Superman Retruns was good - not very good and certainly not great. It had some great mommnets and some very disappointing momments. The two biggest disappoitments for me were not seeing him return to Krypton and the use of Brando (or lack there of). Just the thought of getting to see Supermam going back to Krypton in a movie blew me away. Then not to get to see it but instead be given a very disappointing and boring explaination written out was very disaheartening. The second disappointment was the use of Brando. Singer had negotiated with the Brando estaate to use all footage and to recreate the image and voice as he needed. I was expecting to see the Jor-el suicide as the way Supes recovered. I still wonder if the Donner cut of Superman 2 througha wrench into Singer's plans. Oh and did I mention the kid? To all of those that I wrote saying Warners would never let it be Lois's actual kid (let alone Superman's!) I apologize. Boy was I wrong! And the movie was wrong for introducing this element - enough said!


Routh was perfectly good in the role and I do look forward to seeing him in a few more movies as Supes. The suit was also fine as were the effects which were really great in my opinion. The rest of the cast quite frankly I could take or leave. They do need to get a better grip on the Lois/Clark relationship though.

Its funny but I am finding that anyone who is not a big Superman fan who saw the movie seem to have enjoyed it alot more than any Superman fan I know. Not sure what that means but I am talking about 10 or 12 non Superman reviews versus about 5 or six fan reviews.

I really feel if they had kept in ceratin parts (return to Krypton, the plot by Luthor and henchman to fool Supes into going to Krytpon and a couple of other things) the movie would have been a lot better.

I do look forward to the next movie, pretty sure it will be Braniac (when you have Routh talking about Braniac and how the fans wnat it I'm pretty sure he knows something!).

Overall after seeing it 7 times I would give it 3 (maybe 3.5) out of 5 stars but keep in mind any movie made with Superman probabaly already starts with 2 stars.

PS - Did anyone else notice that three times in the movie - once as Superman after blowing out the house on fire and twice as CK - in the elevator to Lois and when Richard and Lois were talking about Clark, Routh/Superman/Clark raises his right hand in a wave in the exact same manner - a give away to an eagle eye reporter if you ask me!

 

[Papa Burgundy]

10/10. i loved it. i still love it. i love it even more now. it was the greatest feeling in the world when i finally saw it in theaters. its amazing. its really amazing. im gonna go see it for the trillinoth time right now. be back later.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

It's a nice looking film by a bland director. Outside of Spacey, who looked bored, most of the actors tried their hardest to give the movie the personality it so sorely needed but alas the script failed them. Routh was bogged down by his babyface looks and being forced to play a Chris Reeve clone. The problem, he just isn't as charismatic as Reeve and doesn't look bulky enough. Bosworth is a solid actress but was wrong for Lois Lane. She looked way too young and cute, she never seemed like a 33 to 35 year old strong willed woman and mother, I didn't believe her for a bit but then again the script made Lois a bit weepier than I like her. The story is awful, I have a hard time watching the movies because of it, and the last 25 minutes are near torture. 6.5/10

Those probably should be but aren't my final thoughts.

 

[Showtime]

I gave Superman Returns a 9/10 after my 2nd of two viewing in digital theaters, and I am sticking to that after watching the DVD so many times over the past several months.

What it did best was take me back to my childhood and remind me of what Superman was to me. The Williams score, the opening credits, the not so subtle nods to the Donner movies. I ate it up like a burrito.

To me Routh is now Superman, he had the swagger and gentleness that Reeve possessed. Spacey was a much more menacing Lex and I think he did a great job as a comic book villian, very cold. Bosworth, was solid as Lois, she's not the Lois I am used to though. She was more soft and very vintage, I grew to like this version. I also thought she was pretty as Lois.

Of course the cinematography blew me away, a beautiful film, so pleasing to the eye. The CGI was amazing in some instances and in some shots, I don't even know why they used CGI. I am sure this will certainly improve in a sequel. I thought some of the sets were amazing, and some of them you could tell they were just that, sets. The Kent Farm was a masterpiece and some of the Lex shots on the deck of the boat were obvious sets.

My biggest problem with the film was editing, some of it was choppy, but besides that it is what they cut out. The scene with Clark finding the papers in the basement, and then having a heart to heart with Ma Kent was a must for me. I also don't like the fact that Lex didn't reveal he was responsible for Superman's pointless journey to Krypton, that would have hit it home.

 

[Brainiac 2009]

All I wanted to see in a new Superman movie is Superman done with a level of respect and dignity. Not necessarily respect to the current comics in general (since I find the current comics to be hit and miss) but respect in the sense that I could watch this film with normal people (non-Superman fans) and it wouldnt seem embarassing or weird. I havent seen Superman done with any kind of respect in a live action format since Superman 78 and I wasnt even born then. Lois and Clark was way too cheesy and Smallville is way too watered down for its teeny bopper fans.

But as nice as the classic Donner film was, the cartoony, slapstick stuff makes it hard to take it seriously as a whole or watch it with my friends.

Superman Returns delivered what I wanted. I liked Bryan's vision of the character for many reasons, mainly because Superman finally seemed like a real and conflicted character and it was handled in a non-cheesy way. Some people didnt like the lack of humor and darker, more realistic tone... but I really prefered it. Superman seems updated here to fit with the more popular superheroes of today's generation and film audience (mainly Marvel heroes) and seems like a more imperfect character (which is what John Bryne tried to do but failed at). Superman has always reflected the times and this vision definately reflects today's modern jaded world.

Watching the 3 hr DVD documentary, I can see Bryan made alot of good decisions with this one;

- Kate's Lois is likely my favorite live action version of the character. There was a level of classic elegance and gracefulness she had that other actresses didnt since the days of Noel Neil. She reflected the more classic interpretations of Lois Lane which I personally prefer. I think Cain and Hatcher played out the modern postcrisis Lois/Clark relationship and interaction to the fullest it could go so I was personally anxious to see it handled in a different way here. I dont mind if Kate looks too 'young and cute' for the part. When Kate is actually 32/33, I can't really see her looking drastically different than how she looks now.

- While Spacey's Lex was cool, he simply needs to play it in a more menacing way in future films. I still believe Lyle Talbot played the best version of Luthor in those classic serials. The look, voice and intimidation was spot on. I hope they move Spacey's Lex towards that direction.

- Making 'Clark Kent' a disguise again was a smart move. You can still explore Clark's real personality on the farm (which the final cut of the film sadly didnt show) but in Metropolis, it NEEDS to be a disguise. Its the only way to make the Clark/Superman thing believeable in the slightest. The way Dean Cain played it would never work in a realistic film format that tries to take itself seriously.

- Brandon did one major thing in this film (that I wanted to see) that earned him major props with me. His interpretation was the only one that portrayed the duality of Clark/Superman in a believeable way. His Clark was subdued and quiet fading into the background (something Im glad they changed from Reeve's interpretation). His Superman was iconic.

- I wouldnt mind if the lightened the colors on the next film as rumored but I wouldnt really want a drastic change. This film series, like Batman Begins, should never have the bright comicbook look of films like Hulk or Spiderman IMO. DC/WB has done alot of stupid crap in the 90s. They finally have this good realistic mature direction with their franchaises, I hope its applied to all the superhero films they do.


The only major complaint I have in this is not the 'lack of action' but 'lack of fighting' specifically. I'm happy they announced the sequel will be the biggest action flick WB/DC ever did and Routh is looking forward to fighting.

Pretty much all of the drawbacks from the first film are easily fixable in the sequel(s), so this franchaise definately has potential. I'm anxious to see how its carried out.

 

[Super Kal]

my final thought:

this film is below average. Routh, Spacey, Bosworth, Marsden, Langella, and Huntington were great, but that's aboutt he only thing I actually liked.

The interaction between Superman and Lois is close to none in the movie, and the journey of the storyline itself is a repeat of STM, which was a terrible decision.

The suit is still just as dark and depressing as the rest of the movie is, and the lack of action scenes in this movie leaves me more bored than entertained. After buying it, it now just wastes space in my Superman collection, probably never to be watched again.

SR was just a movie explaining how Superman would be perceived in the real world in it when it should of been a full blown comic book movie with explosive twists, color, light and overly bright environments.

My only hope is that Singer learns from his mistakes and gives us a Superman sequel free from a rehashed journey and 20 year old villains, and finally give us a movie worthy of the character.

 

[lexlives]

my final thought:

this film is below average. Routh, Spacey, Bosworth, Marsden, Langella, and Huntington were great, but that's aboutt he only thing I actually liked.

The interaction between Superman and Lois is close to none in the movie, and the journey of the storyline itself is a repeat of STM, which was a terrible decision.

The suit is still just as dark and depressing as the rest of the movie is, and the lack of action scenes in this movie leaves me more bored than entertained. After buying it, it now just wastes space in my Superman collection, probably never to be watched again.

SR was just a movie explaining how Superman would be perceived in the real world in it when it should of been a full blown comic book movie with explosive twists, color, light and overly bright environments.

My only hope is that Singer learns from his mistakes and gives us a Superman sequel free from a rehashed journey and 20 year old villains, and finally give us a movie worthy of the character.

The brightness and the lightness - denote hope and youth and purity. All qualities inherent in Superman. Muddying the colors up - not just the suit but the whole look of the film from start to finish - took away the visual sense of this being a Superman film.

I don't hold out any hope now foor a Singer sequel - not after he said the kid would get more screentime in a sequel. He just does not get it IMO and won't.

 

[lexlives]

my final thought:

this film is below average. Routh, Spacey, Bosworth, Marsden, Langella, and Huntington were great, but that's aboutt he only thing I actually liked.

The interaction between Superman and Lois is close to none in the movie, and the journey of the storyline itself is a repeat of STM, which was a terrible decision.

The suit is still just as dark and depressing as the rest of the movie is, and the lack of action scenes in this movie leaves me more bored than entertained. After buying it, it now just wastes space in my Superman collection, probably never to be watched again.

SR was just a movie explaining how Superman would be perceived in the real world in it when it should of been a full blown comic book movie with explosive twists, color, light and overly bright environments.

My only hope is that Singer learns from his mistakes and gives us a Superman sequel free from a rehashed journey and 20 year old villains, and finally give us a movie worthy of the character.

The brightness and the lightness - denote hope and youth and purity. All qualities inherent in Superman. Muddying the colors up - not just the suit but the whole look of the film from start to finish - took away the visual sense of this being a Superman film.

I don't hold out any hope now for a Singer sequel - not after he said the kid would get more screentime in a sequel. He just does not get it IMO and won't.

 

[Big Supes]

6/10.

 

[Kid_Kaos]

Seeing that all positive and negative scenes are debated here again, and I'm way too annoyed to start the discussion about those scenes again, I make it quick:

I don't like the movie, never will, and I am not interested in any sequel to it.

 

[Brainiac 2009]

Then why do you still lurk this board?

 

[Super Kal]

where does he show that he's lurking?... he's just stating his opinion, just like everyone else here.