Superman Returns is set five years after Superman defeats General Zod and his two cohorts in the second movie. So I guess that means Superman II takes place in 2001 and the first one in 1999. Funny that I don't remember those movies being set in the future.
I've tried to think of this movie with an open mind, and not let my nostalgic impulses guide my feelings. It doesn't matter. No matter how I look at it, I can't find much good to say about Superman Returns.
I can say that I had coloring books, as a child, with better storylines than Superman Returns. It's like they wanted to remake the first movie, but they couldn't, so we're left with the most threadbare story imaginable.
There are a few definable problems with this movie:
1. Lex Luthor - Why have Lex Luther be the villain again? Did these people ever read the comic books? Superman had plenty of foes besides Lex Luthor. Between the original movies and all the different television series, Lex Luthor is played out. Not to mention that Kevin Spacey didn't bring one second of fun to the character. Isn't Lex Luthor supposed to be the villain we love to hate? And what's with the real estate plot line? Again? So instead of turning Arizona into ocean front property, he wants to create his own piece of property off the east coast. Boring.
2. Lois Lane - Kate Bosworth is definitely a weak point in the movie. She has none of Margot Kidder's fiery attitude. This might be forgivable if these weren't supposed to be the same people from Superman II, and if Brandon Routh wasn't doing a Christopher Reeve impression.
and that brings us to:
3. Brandon Routh - he's about as boring as you can get. Yes, he looks a little like Christopher Reeve, and he can talk just like him, but he lacks all the charm.
Article comments
1 - Ty
Should you feel guilty for comparing it to the first two?
NO NO NO, because Bryan Singer and co. should have REBOOTED the franchise a la Batman Begins.
Want to see a good Superhero film? Check out Bollywood's first Superhero film which just came out to rave reviews, Krrish.