Superman Returns dir. by

20 July 2006


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Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.usSuperman has never really been a superhero that I was a fan of. Sure, he is faster than a speeding bullet and has saved the world on numerous times, but I’ve just never had a grá for him. So I wasn’t all that fussed about this film, apart from the fact that is took Singer away from X-Men. But I figured, big block-buster movie, might as well take a look.

And I’m glad I did, because despite the fact that it has many flaws this is still a highly enjoyable film with plenty to recommend it. Of course, the central problem with any Superman film is that you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that by the end of the film all will be well. A fact that makes it a little hard to build tension over Supes being in trouble, but this film actually manages to make you feel slightly concerned for the man of steel.

I have to say that Routh does a great job at looking all heroic. And all bumbly as Clark, but Clark isn’t really all that central to the story. This is all about Superman. Superman and Lois Lane.

Lois’s character is a bit bland. She gets in trouble, gets saved. Has issues. But nothing overly intriguing. Although plus points must be awarded for not having a pointlessly annoying kid. Jason, her son, is in some respects another “item to be saved” but unlike in Poseidon he doesn’t do any stupid pointless wandering or looking about and gain more trouble for himself. Spacey does the job as Lex Luthor, but doesn’t have much character. And like many a superhero villian his plan makes no real sense. However Parker, playing Kitty does a lot with her limited screen time.

I’m also thinking that we should get a petition together to try and find James Marsden a role where he isn’t involved in some sort of a love triangle.

All in all, well worth seeing, and despite being 154 minutes long it doesn’t drag, although it probably could’ve stood to be trimmed a little.

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7 Responses

  1. Carl V. says:

    I have much the same feelings about Superman as a character. I don't dislike him but he has never been a favorite. In fact I really did not intend to see this one in the theatre. Last Friday, however, my daughter and I were alone for the evening and she really wanted to see it so I took her. I am so glad I did. I found it to be an extremely enjoyable film. Almost all films have some problems but there weren't any glaring ones with this one. I didn't find Lois to be very likeable in the beginning but I guess she was supposed to be bitter. I don't like Marsden at all but found him to be very enjoyable in this film…I think it was the hair. I found his hair to be kind of dorky and it endeared him to me a bit. Routh did a great job as Supes and I really enjoyed the length and flow of the film. Although it made for an interesting storyline <spoiler>I didn't like the fact that Supes had a kid out of wedlock. May be old fashioned but some heroes need to remain clean cut heroes. It is the fashion du jour with comics right now to tarnish every hero, to somehow make them more human. </spoiler> I thought it was just me but many Superman geeks at the local comic shop mentioned this as well. Good review Fence!

  2. Fence says:

    Carl, I'm glad that at least one other person seemed to enjoy it :) I just found that Lois didn't have much of a character, flashes, but nothing really substantial.

    As for <spoiler>the kid issue. When we first saw him I did sorta think, I wonder is he Superman's, but then I though. Nah, its Superman. He can't have a kid. So it was a little surprise when it did turn out to be his. I didn't object to it really, maybe beause I don't really think that having a child out of wedlock does tarnish anyone. Thought I do get where you are coming from.</spoiler>

  3. NineMoons says:

    In the Lois and Clark series, which despite it's many, many, many flaws (clones, killing the excellent Luthor) I'm terribly fond of, Lois and Clark never actually have sex until they're wed. And Clark never has sex until he has sex with Lois. I guess that's more in the clean-cut superhero tradition you're looking for, Carl!

    I LOVED this film. Really, beyond reason loved it. It completely caught me up, and apart from a few bum notes with Lois near the start, I just really cared about everything that was going on. And (as I said over on Samizdisandat aka Superman's Foreskin aka The Place I Go to Disagree with Mal) Martha Kent outside the hospital was very moving.

    In the few scenes Routh had as Clark, he was just exactly dorky enough – not a total doofus, but a slightly clumsy, slightly out of touch guy. As Superman, he was torn by his love for Lois but ALWAYS took care of business, regardless. And I loved loved loved what James Marsters did with Richard – hurt and worried but noble and heroic.

    Incidentally, Fence, he was in a triangle in the post-shark-jumping Ally McBeal, but he was the guy both Ally and his ex-girlfriend wanted to be with. Then it became a love quadrangle and before the silliness went crazy, he quit the firm in a fit of nobility after the ex was fired and got back together with her. So maybe he's only unlucky with the triangles when he's in a quality show…

  4. Fence says:

    I think I enjoyed it even more the second time round. Defo one to add to the wishlist I think.

  5. NineMoons says:

    Maybe you were infected by my whole-hearted enthusiasm! :-) I've just gone and defended it ad nauseam on Samiz, despite what I said about having to stop commenting! I popped over and had my hackles raised by the allegations that Monty Python isn't funny or popular and that Superman was terrible, while Spiderman was great. My top-five superhero flicks (in no particular order)

    Batman Returns

    Superman Returns

    X-2

    X-Men

    Unbreakable

  6. Fence says:

    I liked Spiderman too, but I haven't seen either of them since they were out in the cinema so would like to rewatch. Think Supes was better though. By far.

  7. NineMoons says:

    Gar owns one of the Spideys (came free with his mobile!) so can lend if you want. I pretty much med'd them. Fun enough to watch once but there's nothing I wanted to rewatch. A'course, some of that is because Tobey Maguire playing virtually the same character in everything kind of started to annoy me… In My Opinion. ;-)