Superman Returns (2006) - A Ktrek review

[Ktrek]

I am not a huge fan of Superman but I don't dislike Superman either. I am probably just more of the Batman type.

Superman Returns is not a terribly bad film but it's not a GREAT film either. It certainly has it's problems. However, let me discuss some of the positive things going for the film first.

The film does not try to exactly redo Superman but actually tries to pick up the Superman story by building on what has gone before. The actor, Brandon Routh, actually does a very fine job when he plays Clark Kent, probably because he plays him much like Christopher Reeves did. Even some of his moments as Superman shine but overall not.

The special effects in the film were very well done and smoothly integrated with the live action.

Kevin Spacey is also fine as Lex Luthor. Probably a good choice for the role.

That said I have to say that I thought Bryan Singer's directing was awful! The story was very erratic in spots and did not move smoothly. The choice of filters on the cameras made the film seem way too dark for a Superman film. It probably would have worked just fine in a Batman film but the dark atmosphere for Superman did not work for me.

The choice of Kate Bosworth for Lois Lane was, in my humble opinion, poor. Her acting was atrocious through the majority of the film and every major scene with her in it was more distracting to the overall story than it was helpful and fulfilling.

Superman is an iconic figure in our culture and Singer had a lot to live up to by taking on this project, but unfortunately, at least as far as I'm concerned, he did not deliver. There is just nothing super about this film. I give it 2 out of 5 stars. I do, however, hope that we will see another Superman film, and I hope that whoever directs the next one will get it right!

Kevin

[Geekyfanboy]

hope that we will see another Superman film, and I hope that whoever directs the next one will get it right!

Kevin

Well Kevin I guess you won't be too happy but Bryan Singer is doing the next Superman movie also.. we discuss in other threads.. check it out.

http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1093.0

And here is a thread where people on the fourms discuss there thoughts on Superman Returns

http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=788.0

[Locutus]

Kevin Smith had an interesting interview on Leno a number of year ago (Or was it Letterman?) where he talked about writing the next Superman movie. The producers didn't like the costume, so they wanted Supes to fight in the sewers and in the dark, and fight a polar bear.

I suspect that, if any of those producers were still attached to this film, that is why it is a bit dark, and not specifically because of Singer's involvement.

Many times, the director has no input on the final release of the film, and the producers "have their way" with it, in a manner of speaking. They recut it, and color correct, and reshoot, with no direct involvement of the director all the time.

Not that I am giving Singer a pass, and not that I didn't enjoy the film, because my wife and I thought it was really good, 3.5 out of 5, just not great. But there is more than just the director's vision up on the screen, generally, when you are dealing with Big Hollywood Flicks. Just something to keep in mind.