Tuesday night marked a special occasion for my family. We went to see an early viewing of Superman Returns. We are all fans of the original Superman films, and, my husband especially, looked forward to the release of this film with great anticipation. I can remember watching the first trailers with my husband and kids, and counting down the day to this very night, when we would finally see our new and improved Man of Steel.
Well, you might ask, did the movie deliver? I'm still trying to decide.
Superman Returns is the incarnation, or rather, reincarnation of director Bryan Singer, of X-men fame. The movie stars relative newcomer Brandon Routh as Superman, Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane, and Kevin Spacey as Lex Luther.
Although my expectations were high going into the film, I tried to view with fresh eyes, not comparing the film to the previous Superman starring Christopher Reeve. It was no easy task since the current film picks up right where the original Superman left off. You do have to keep in mind, however, to ignore the story of Superman II.
SPOILER ALERTS
I don't want to give too much away, but I can't really discuss what I liked or didn't like without revealing a bit here and there. Consider yourself warned.
The basic premise of the film is that Superman takes off for several years in search of his native planet, Krypton, which astronomers seem to have found. He leaves behind a bitter Lois Lane, who continues her life with much success, including a child and a fiance. Superman returns to Metropolis as the not nerdy-enough Clark Kent, and resumes his position as a reporter for the Daily Planet. He immediately begins to seek out Lois Lane, and this is when the fun...I mean chaos...I mean love story....begins.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Glen Boyd
First lukewarm of this flick I've read Chantal...it's mostly getting raves. But if what you say is true, I know definitely go to a Superman movie to see action.
Of course I want good character development too, and I hear Spacey brings a little more of the sinister quality to Lex Luthor (as opposed to Gene Hackman's campy goofiness). Ive also heard Parker Posey is good (she was wonderful as the new office bitch towards the end of Boston Legal last season).
I'm planning on going this weekend. So how bad are the lines Chantal?
-Glen
2 - Glen Boyd
Sorry about the typos above. I'm up past my Bedtime. So that would be "first lukewarm REVIEW of this flick I've read" and "I know I definitely go to a Superman movie to see action."
Good review though Chantal. Going to bed now. Nighty-night.
-Glen
3 - chantal stone
lukewarm, yeah...
and I feel bad because my husband and I really wanted to LOVE the movie. Don't get me wrong, I liked it, it was good....just not great...certainly not as good as it could have been. I guess the key is to view with not such high expectations.
4 - Neil Miller
chantal,
This is where I think we definitely agree... Good, but not great. How about that sound, though? Absolutely fantastic. I can't say enough.
Anyhoo, great review!
Cheers,
-Neil
5 - chantal stone
you're right, the sound was excellent...
thanks for reading, I'm on my way over to read your review.....
6 - Andy Marsh
Sounds like it may be a good film...3 out of 4 here...4 out of 5 on one of hte other riviews...guess I'll go check it out...thanks Chantal!
7 - chantal stone
I think you'll like it Andy....for some reason my husband and I feel the need to obsess over it. He had to up for work at 5am today but we were up til 2am talking about the film.
The thing is, when we saw Spiderman, we left the theater feeling *thrilled*, like we just witnessed something totally amazing, true movie magic. And I was expecting the same thing from Superman Returns, but it just didn't happen.
Like I said before, perhaps my expectations were too high, but for crying out loud, its SUPERMAN....my expectations should be high, right?
It was a good movie, entertaining, and I'll buy the dvd. But I feel no need to see it in theater again. I just wasn't thrilled.
8 - Andy Marsh
Should I wear my Superman t-shirt when I go?
9 - chantal stone
For Sure!! I was expecting to see someone in full Superman costume, I brought my camera just in case....but no such luck. Lots of Superman t-shirts though....my hub included!
10 - Ty
I saw it last night (In DLP, the BEST way to see it), and it was okay.
The whole angle with the BOY (don't want to give too much away) had me screaming LAME!!!! I'm sorry, it's lame.
And I think it would have been much better to reboot the franchise a la Batman Begins, instead of pretending like Superman III and IV didn't happen and that Superman Returns happens after II.
11 - chantal stone
Ty....I competely agree...the kid angle was dumb. But I didn't want to mention it in the review, giving too much away.
The 'kid' was a totally unecessary story addition.
12 - Jet in Columbus
Chantal, liked your review enough to go see it soon, one nit-pick though-it's kryptoNITE that luthor gets ahold of-not krypton (that's the planet)-time to get ahold of an editor sweetie.
Loved it
love you
Jet
13 - Jet in Columbus
PS I suspect they did some rewrites and re editing when all the rumors on the web turned toward superman being gay.
Now about that bulge?
the did a whole article in entertainment weekly last year about that, concerning how big how obvious etc. I mean after all the guy's wearing tights!
14 - Andy Marsh
I was wearing my t-shirt one day...walking through the AF exchange out in Phoenix...little kid came around the corner, saw me...his eyes got real big..then, he turned around and ran back down the aisle he had just come from...I heard him say...DAD! DAD! I JUST SAW SUPERMAN!!!
just because I was standing there with my fists on my hips like Superman...it really was classic!
15 - Ty
"Chantal, liked your review enough to go see it soon, one nit-pick though-it's kryptoNITE that luthor gets ahold of-not krypton (that's the planet)-time to get ahold of an editor sweetie."
Hey Jet, check out your copy of the Periodic Table, if you have ever seen one. Element 36 is called Krytpon. It is A-OK for Chantal to say Krypton instead of Kryptonite in referring to the substance, even if Superman comics and movies solely use the solid form of it, kryptonite. Either way, radioactive krypton(ite) hurts Superman.
16 - Ty
I meant Krypton
17 - chantal stone
Jet....as far as the Superman-being-gay rumors go, from what I've read, they stemmed primarily from the fact that Bryan Singer, the director, is gay....and you know how dumb people can be....gay director=gay superhero.
Makes me giggle, though, when so many "str8" guys spend so much time LOOKING for something gay about Superman.
18 - Jet in Columbus
Drat!
19 - Son of Jor-El
Nice review, Chantal. Thanks for being mild in your tone, but I know the "real" deal.
20 - Steve
Hmm, I was loath to see this movie, as it seemed to me the character has been used so much in the last 30 years or so (on TV especially), what else could they do without it being a retread?? After your review, Chantal, I'm really not any keener to see it lol.
21 - Andy Marsh
I'm taking my family to see this at the IMAX theater tonight. 3-D, 180 degree screen...should be pretty awesome!
22 - chantal stone
Andy....let me know how it is on IMAX!
23 - Andy Marsh
Ok, IMAX was pretty cool. There are 4 scenes that were shown in 3-D and they were pretty impressive. In one scene, there actually looked to be things floating right in front of me! Big screen...big sound...what more could you ask for in a superhero movie!?
As far as the movie goes. I liked it. The action was great, the story line had a couple of plot twists that I wasn't expecting, although, I think I had the biggest plot twist figured out about 5 minutes into the movie. My daughter remarked that Superman sure did seem to get himself in trouble a lot!
I don't like Supermans' new superhero costume...that diamond tread looking S on his chest didn't cut it for me. His costume reminded me of one of the older Superman movies were there was a bad Superman with a dingy looking suit on...remember that?
Lastly, does Kryptonite kill him or not?!?!
24 - chantal stone
Andy...the IMAX sounds pretty cool...I'm glad you enjoyed it....so what was the plot twist you had figured out....the kid?
And your daughter is right....whats up with Superman needing so much help all the time? That part really bothered me and my husband. If he's SUPERman, what the heck is he doing in the h*******?? (don't wanna give it away for anyone else)
25 - Andy Marsh
One other thing too Chantal...did it seem to you that he looked like a cartoon character a couple of times when he shouldn't have?