Superman Returns
The largest crime that unfolds in Metropolis is not Lex Luthor’s bizarre plot to re-create the world’s supply of viable real estate. Rather, it’s an ominous evaporation of character. Superman Returns emerges as the lovechild of the superb Superman II and the horrendous Superman IV: The Quest for Peace; it’s a mishmash of silly criminals, half-baked storylines and mere hints of the emotional core — and wreckage — of the second film in the series. Lois Lane, a cynical, self-assured, cigarette-smoking modern woman in the original films (played to perfection by Margot Kidder), is present only to advance the plot. Her lines are throwaways; she’s boring. Kate Bosworth is completely outgunned by her predecessor, as is Kevin Spacey (Luthor) and Frank Langella (Daily Planet Editor in Chief Perry White). Surprisingly enough, Brandon Routh’s Christopher Reeve impersonation works, though he looks a bit too waxy and — well — alien.
File this one under the Star Wars prequel effect: the best part of the film is the anticipation of seeing it. D.
May 17th, 2007
I didn’t even feel it ranked a D… Just a nonsense plot from start to finish, tired dialogue, and the special effects were too glaringly CGI - too cartoonish… And while it makes for good visuals, I never understand why they have criminals unload full magazines at Superman, then look shocked when he doesn’t fall… At this point in the storyline, the entire character world knows who Superman is and what he’s capable of. Why, then, write in the cheap gimicky laugh of a villain being surprised by bullets bouncing off him? And I didn’t understand the whole kid thing - either he has strength or he doesn’t… He can throw a grand piano across a room, but it takes him a day and a half to force open a steel door…
May 18th, 2007
Lots of strange inconsistencies in the movie. Why, for instance, does Superman claim not to know Clark? In the other films, they’re supposedly best friends. Seems like Singer wants to reinvent Superman but still cherry-pick from the original movies.
May 18th, 2007
Give me “Smallville” any day over this rehashed, luke warm fare…
May 18th, 2007
What about “Lois and Clark”? Give me Teri Hatcher any day over Margot Kidder or Kate Bosworth. [P.S. I'm not referring to acting ability here -- in fact I've never even seen "Lois and Clark"]
May 18th, 2007
But seriously — about the movie…I was also really disappointed with Spacey. He is usually phenomenal in about any role; but when it comes to Lex Luthor, you can’t top Gene Hackman.
May 19th, 2007
Same goes for Parker Posey in the Ms. Tessmacher role. She’s just sort of… there.
May 20th, 2007
Wow a D. this film must be unbelievably bad. Although I think in memory the first films are remembered much better than they were, if that makes sense. I tried to watch one of them a couple years ago because as a kid I loved them and man it was impossible to get through. Anyway once I saw that they were casting a christopher reeves lookalike, I had no interest.