Superman Returns marked the first film to feature mega-Superhero Superman since 1987's Superman IV with Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. Because of how long it had been since this story was touched (aside from the TV show with Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher in the 90s), this movie was probably the most anticipated movie of the summer. And I was disappointed to see that the movie did not live up to its hype.
I'm still quite puzzled as to the casting of personality-less Brandon Routh. The man has no charisma, no charm, no appeal whatsoever — other than the fact that he looks like Christopher Reeves' younger and buffer, yet less attractive brother. Bryan Singer wanted an unknown — maybe because he didn't want the actor to be bigger than the movie, maybe because they would've been less expensive. But when your movie's budget is 260 million dollars, I'm sure you could've spared a few more bucks to buy yourself a more able actor. It's not that Brandon Routh is a bad actor — it's just that he's only a competent actor. He gets the job done, but makes it no fun for the audience or the other actors.
In a movie called Superman Returns, you'd think Superman himself would be the main focus of the film. Silly me. The Man of Steel hardly says anything the entire movie. I don't know if that's because that's what the script calls for (which by the way was ridiculously weak), or if Singer himself realized just how boring Routh is in the editing process, and left much of his screen time on the cutting room floor.
The film's best asset is its leading lady Kate Bosworth whose Lois Lane is a bit different from what we're used to — she's less bubbly — a bit more Katharine Hepburn and less Julia Roberts than you'd expect from the hapless reporter. But after getting over the initial shock of the change of character you come to appreciate her take on Lois, and she quickly becomes more interesting than the superhero on which the movie is named. There are interesting things we find out about Lois' son and their relation to Superman throughout the movie, and the love triangle between Superman, Lois, and her husband Richard (X-Men's James Marsden) adds layers and drama to the story.
Kevin Spacey (re-teamed with Beyond The Sea star Kate Bosworth) who plays Superman's most notorious villain Lex Luthor makes an extremely rare misstep in this film. Whether that be because his character was written so weakly, he was having off-few months, or he simply just wasn't right for the part, I don't know. But this is the first time I've ever seen a movie of his where I was thoroughly unimpressed with his performance. The hilarious Parker Posey who plays Kitty Kowalski, Luthor's sidekick, steals nearly every scene the two of them have together. I found myself drudging through the boring parts of the movie hoping for another glimpse of Posey — who added spark to an otherwise lackluster movie.
Article comments
1 - TomAUK
"Superman Returns marked the first film to feature mega-Superhero Superman since 1983's Superman III with Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder"
And just like that, Superman IV is air-brushed from history.
2 - Chris Evans
Whoa. Sorry about that--I completely missed it when I was researching. I'll try getting that fixed.
3 - Abdul
This movie was based on the storyline of Superman 1 & 2. If you weren't fresh off those movies, you'd have a hard time enjoying the plot or appreciating the acting of Routh and Spacey. Also, this isn't an action movie. If you were looking for a great action flick, Superman Returns isn't it. But it's still a great movie with an emotional climax.
4 - Chris Evans
That's just the thing, Abdul. I enjoyed the movie for what it was--a romantic drama. I'm not really an action flick person anyway. But the advertising really didn't do that justice--just warning people that it's not what you'd expect.