Lex Luthor is up to his old tricks of seeking world domination after being released from prison. He manages to get his hands on some Krypton, with hopes of defeating Superman, thus making his dream of reign and tyranny come true. The battle between good and evil ensue.
As much as many people may try, it's very difficult not to compare this film to the 1978 version, so I'm not going to pretend not to do it here. The message board chatter was often of doubt that Brandon Routh could fill the shoes of Christopher Reeve. I honestly can't imagine another known actor who could have played the role any better. Routh is the perfect Superman for the 21st Century. He's young, strong, manly, and of course, good looking. He sounds a lot like Christopher Reeve, and at times, eerily looks like him.
Kevin Spacey is brilliant as Lex Luthor. He brings a sophisticated quality to this diabolical character that Gene Hackman couldn't quite pull off. He's a masterful actor, and expecting any less of him would be foolish.
Now Kate Bosworth. Poor thing. I really love her as an actress. She was great in Win a Date With Tad Hamilton, but this isn't the right role for her. Lois Lane needs to be feisty, sharp, quick-witted and yet still maintain a sparse level of vulnerablity in the plain view of Superman. Kate Bosworth just doesn't have the chops for such a complex character, and she didn't pull it off. My thought was actually that Parker Posey, who played Luthor's female companion, Kitty, would have been a much better choice.
The film, over all, was good. Maybe even very good, if you're under 25 and didn't grow up watching the 1978 Superman. The CGI effects were believable, although there were a few brief moments when I thought they were overdone, making Brandon Routh, himself, look slightly animated. The story was a bit weak, though. I asked my husband (remember, huge Superman fan), and he said the film placed too much emphasis on the love story between Superman and Lois, and not enough action. I have to agree. Superman is a super hero after all, not Romeo. I would estimate that there was about 50% action story and 50% love story, when there probably should have been more like 70% action, or more. And I felt that the story often made Superman appear to be too human, even vulnerable, at times.
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?