And the American Way
Superman Returns
I uphold three things: truth, justice, and avoiding the lure of IMAX for any film that doesn't star the ocean, a mountain, or beavers. So let me say now that the idea of IMAX 3D Superman may sound like the next step in movie making, but it is actually a sidetrack in the evolution of film. The sound effects are in surround sound and crystal clear, but any and all dialogue are muffled and muted. Only about 20 minutes of the movie are even in 3D, signaled by a green glasses logo flashing at the bottom of the screen. And the 3D occasionally doesn't work and gets all blurry. So ask yourself: is it really worth it?
Brian Singer left the X-Men series to direct Superman Returns, probably because he wanted a challenge. He definately got one. His job was to find a way to make a fresh story out of a very old character and try to make us feel and care about characters that we haven't seen since the modern special effects era began. Singer tried his hardest, but just couldn't do it.
The storyline involves Superman coming back from a five year absence from earth, which is barely addressed at all. I realized about halfway through that the only reason it's really mentioned is so that the title can be "Superman Returns" and pretend to reference the absence in the plot when really it's referencing Warner Brothers trying to ride the comic book wave and make some money of a franchise without any momentum.
There's nothing to say about Brandon Routh, the man wearing the inexplicable gummy "S." He looks like Superman. He says Superman things. He's Superman.
Lois Lane is a mommy. And she sucks at it. Kate Bosworth doesn't act motherly, there's no conflict over the kid - just like on "Friends" when nobody's life is really changed by any given baby. She's awfully whiny and not very bright for being a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and emotes the same amount throught the titles of the articles she's writing as she does through her face. I fail to see what Superman sees in her. But Routh sells it and you can tell he's in love.
The guy that played Cyclops - stuck again as the nobody likes the guy guy. Brian Singer brought James Marsdon over from X-Men (he also played the "if she weren't with you, she'd be with our hero" guy in the Notebook. Poor fella.)
Lex Luther's gang is that weird mish-mash of hooligans and the ditz that could easily ruin everything . . . more than a shout out to what Gene Hackman dealt with, this is what Gene Hackman did to be one of the strangest villains in superherodom. Luthor himself is nuts, and I'm fine with it. The posse is fairly quiet, but villain enough.
There's a major development with a character we've never seen before, and I saw it coming a mile away. And the audience is eased into it rather than be shocked. Way too slowly.
I was really, really excited during the opening credits, what with the lazer words flying through space and John Williams' original theme blaring. The only other heart-pounding moment I had was when Supe stood on a barren wasteland and an other-worldly thunder clap broke the tense silence.
Otherwise, there's no excitement. Singer put Lois Lane in some totally unreasonable predicament once again, but tried to make it fresh by throwing her around a little. He heaped on the Americana with Supe making a save in a baseball stadium. There were shout outs to Smallville and young Superman, but we've seen this before. Time has been kryptonite. Superman is washed up.
I uphold three things: truth, justice, and avoiding the lure of IMAX for any film that doesn't star the ocean, a mountain, or beavers. So let me say now that the idea of IMAX 3D Superman may sound like the next step in movie making, but it is actually a sidetrack in the evolution of film. The sound effects are in surround sound and crystal clear, but any and all dialogue are muffled and muted. Only about 20 minutes of the movie are even in 3D, signaled by a green glasses logo flashing at the bottom of the screen. And the 3D occasionally doesn't work and gets all blurry. So ask yourself: is it really worth it?
Brian Singer left the X-Men series to direct Superman Returns, probably because he wanted a challenge. He definately got one. His job was to find a way to make a fresh story out of a very old character and try to make us feel and care about characters that we haven't seen since the modern special effects era began. Singer tried his hardest, but just couldn't do it.
The storyline involves Superman coming back from a five year absence from earth, which is barely addressed at all. I realized about halfway through that the only reason it's really mentioned is so that the title can be "Superman Returns" and pretend to reference the absence in the plot when really it's referencing Warner Brothers trying to ride the comic book wave and make some money of a franchise without any momentum.
There's nothing to say about Brandon Routh, the man wearing the inexplicable gummy "S." He looks like Superman. He says Superman things. He's Superman.
Lois Lane is a mommy. And she sucks at it. Kate Bosworth doesn't act motherly, there's no conflict over the kid - just like on "Friends" when nobody's life is really changed by any given baby. She's awfully whiny and not very bright for being a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and emotes the same amount throught the titles of the articles she's writing as she does through her face. I fail to see what Superman sees in her. But Routh sells it and you can tell he's in love.
The guy that played Cyclops - stuck again as the nobody likes the guy guy. Brian Singer brought James Marsdon over from X-Men (he also played the "if she weren't with you, she'd be with our hero" guy in the Notebook. Poor fella.)
Lex Luther's gang is that weird mish-mash of hooligans and the ditz that could easily ruin everything . . . more than a shout out to what Gene Hackman dealt with, this is what Gene Hackman did to be one of the strangest villains in superherodom. Luthor himself is nuts, and I'm fine with it. The posse is fairly quiet, but villain enough.
There's a major development with a character we've never seen before, and I saw it coming a mile away. And the audience is eased into it rather than be shocked. Way too slowly.
I was really, really excited during the opening credits, what with the lazer words flying through space and John Williams' original theme blaring. The only other heart-pounding moment I had was when Supe stood on a barren wasteland and an other-worldly thunder clap broke the tense silence.
Otherwise, there's no excitement. Singer put Lois Lane in some totally unreasonable predicament once again, but tried to make it fresh by throwing her around a little. He heaped on the Americana with Supe making a save in a baseball stadium. There were shout outs to Smallville and young Superman, but we've seen this before. Time has been kryptonite. Superman is washed up.
posted by Jon at 1:51 PM
3 Comments:
You've clearly contradicted yourself. First of all you said that you've avoided the lure of watching it on IMAX. That's a big Subway Baloney Sandwich.
3D is definitely the way of the future. If you have any hint of technological sense and knowledge in you, you would realize that this is a breakthrough in cinematic viewing that will be followed by a star-studded animation, The Ant Bully.
Now back to Superman....the point of this movie is to revive the superman series and franchise after a long hiatus. The point is to make viewers salivate over what's coming in the future. Bryan Singer is starting this thing off slowly and then the next one should be a bang.
You've also missed the biggest plot in lil' Jason. He is clearly a big part of the movie and will define the rest of the series. If you would actually open up and not have a preconceived notion and opinion on movies, you would actually admire the work that is Superman Returns.
I agree with you that there's certain parts of the movie where a better explanation would help, but you have to realize that this is a movie, not a freaking 5-episode drama. The movie needs to end somewhere and with the given 2.5 hrs, Mr. Singer has clearly done a great job.
Again, I want to remind you that this is not meant to be an award winning movie where you're used to watching and critiquing about. It's a fun family movie and something that could be used to teach little kids about truth, justice and the American Way like it used to be.
Now you need to stop criticizing, berating, castigating and denouncing America's superhero. Superman is our superhero, the one that every kid in the world admires. Stop with your garbage and think before you write again next time.
You're wrong Jon. It was a pretty decent movie. Not a great one, but decent. Besides, who doesn't love superman.
P.S: I'm not America's Defender and don't blame me for what I did not write.
Nice try.
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