Review of "Superman" - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

All-American · 06-28-2006, 08:41 AM

The movie was a lot of fun. Opening night is always a great experience when a movie appeals to a broad fan base, as Superman does. Costumes, hoots and hollers, cheers and jeers, and the collective excitement was worth the price of admission on its own.

The movie wasn't perfect by any means. The plot was merely sufficient, and there were some great opportunities for character development that were either missed, overlooked, or simply turned down. Two important themes, the lack of a sense of belonging (as demonstrated in X-Men, for example) and the sacrifice of a way of life in order to serve the public (admirably displayed by Spider-man, which had a great trailer before the opening) were merely hinted at. The most important character theme in the movie is of a perfect being whose compassion for the people lead him to become the world's savior-- but after letting this one out to breathe, it is put back in the bag just as quickly, as though Brian Singer was worried about offending somebody with the very clearly Christian theme. Kevin Spacey is very good as Lex Luthor, and could have stolen the show, given half a chance. The movie could have gotten much higher marks in these aspects.

The heart and soul of the movie, however, was nostalgia, and for this, "Superman Returns" gets full credit. Yeah, we all knew it was only a matter of time before the big guy was going to enter stage right and save the world-- but after all, that's what we were there to see, and he didn't disappoint. Superman was back on the big screen, just like we remembered him, complete with the curled lock of hair on his forehead. John Williams's theme, which is as much a part of Superman's identity as the shield, was featured from start to finish-- even the love theme could be heard in selected scenes. (And, by the way, Kate Boswell... I heartily approve.) For a generation that was raised on Superman and had gone so long without seeing arguably America's most beloved hero in anything but a telivision mini-series, the nostalgic throwback was a thrill.

The movie will be best enjoyed if you can make it to a showing during the opening week, with an enthusiastic crowd. Be willing to overlook a few flaws, but overall, a very fun experience.

fusnik11 · 06-28-2006, 03:10 PM

What was the relationship like between Clark and Lois? Was she always a jerk to him? She seemed extremely cold to him in the movie.

fuegote · 06-28-2006, 06:47 PM

<<***SPOILER***>>

He left her without saying a word...for five years...while she was prego with his child...... I would be ticked too.

Robin · 06-28-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuegote

<<***SPOILER***>>

He left her without saying a word...for five years...while she was prego with his child...... I would be ticked too.

Talk about a twisted sense of ethics and morality!

realtall · 06-30-2006, 02:24 AM

We saw it last night. The thing that struck me the most was how Brandon Routh looked and sounded like Christopher Reeve. His speech inflections, his mannerisims, his general look...several times I caught myself being amazed at the similarities. Routh wasn't required to do much acting, just some general geekiness as Clark whereas Superman hardly said anything. It appeared to me that the studio hired a lookalike/soundalike of Christopher Reeve. I don't know that it detracted from the movie but I did catch myself thinking about it more than once.

Kevin Spacey was marvelous - by far the best acting performance in the movie. He was very convincing as an evil genius with a definite sadistic streak.

The plot for the most part held together ok, although there were a few things that were unexplained and were left to the audience to guess.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie. A good balance of dialogue and action.

fuegote · 06-30-2006, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin

Talk about a twisted sense of ethics and morality!

Superman didn't know she was pregnant.

il Padrino Ute · 06-30-2006, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuegote

Superman didn't know she was pregnant.

Did it ever occur to anyone that Superman was the victim here? Perhaps Lois had some kryptonite and used it to take advantage of him in his weakened state.

All-American · 06-30-2006, 03:59 AM

How can anybody who has been through the process of impregnating Kate Boswell be considered a victim?

Archaea · 06-30-2006, 04:09 AM

Victimize me Kate, victimize me.

realtall · 06-30-2006, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

Victimize me Kate, victimize me.

Oh me first!

06-28-2006, 08:41 AM	#1
All-American Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,420	Review of "Superman" The movie was a lot of fun. Opening night is always a great experience when a movie appeals to a broad fan base, as Superman does. Costumes, hoots and hollers, cheers and jeers, and the collective excitement was worth the price of admission on its own. The movie wasn't perfect by any means. The plot was merely sufficient, and there were some great opportunities for character development that were either missed, overlooked, or simply turned down. Two important themes, the lack of a sense of belonging (as demonstrated in X-Men, for example) and the sacrifice of a way of life in order to serve the public (admirably displayed by Spider-man, which had a great trailer before the opening) were merely hinted at. The most important character theme in the movie is of a perfect being whose compassion for the people lead him to become the world's savior-- but after letting this one out to breathe, it is put back in the bag just as quickly, as though Brian Singer was worried about offending somebody with the very clearly Christian theme. Kevin Spacey is very good as Lex Luthor, and could have stolen the show, given half a chance. The movie could have gotten much higher marks in these aspects. The heart and soul of the movie, however, was nostalgia, and for this, "Superman Returns" gets full credit. Yeah, we all knew it was only a matter of time before the big guy was going to enter stage right and save the world-- but after all, that's what we were there to see, and he didn't disappoint. Superman was back on the big screen, just like we remembered him, complete with the curled lock of hair on his forehead. John Williams's theme, which is as much a part of Superman's identity as the shield, was featured from start to finish-- even the love theme could be heard in selected scenes. (And, by the way, Kate Boswell... I heartily approve.) For a generation that was raised on Superman and had gone so long without seeing arguably America's most beloved hero in anything but a telivision mini-series, the nostalgic throwback was a thrill. The movie will be best enjoyed if you can make it to a showing during the opening week, with an enthusiastic crowd. Be willing to overlook a few flaws, but overall, a very fun experience. __________________ εν αρχη ην ο λογος

06-28-2006, 06:47 PM	#3
fuegote Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 724	<<*SPOILER*>> He left her without saying a word...for five years...while she was prego with his child...... I would be ticked too. __________________ http://www.cavaliersbrigade.com home of the greatest fans in MLS.

06-30-2006, 02:24 AM	#5
realtall Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Krum, TX Posts: 891	We saw it last night. The thing that struck me the most was how Brandon Routh looked and sounded like Christopher Reeve. His speech inflections, his mannerisims, his general look...several times I caught myself being amazed at the similarities. Routh wasn't required to do much acting, just some general geekiness as Clark whereas Superman hardly said anything. It appeared to me that the studio hired a lookalike/soundalike of Christopher Reeve. I don't know that it detracted from the movie but I did catch myself thinking about it more than once. Kevin Spacey was marvelous - by far the best acting performance in the movie. He was very convincing as an evil genius with a definite sadistic streak. The plot for the most part held together ok, although there were a few things that were unexplained and were left to the audience to guess. Overall, I enjoyed the movie. A good balance of dialogue and action. __________________ http://realtall.blogspot.com/

06-30-2006, 03:59 AM	#8
All-American Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,420	How can anybody who has been through the process of impregnating Kate Boswell be considered a victim? __________________ εν αρχη ην ο λογος

06-30-2006, 04:09 AM	#9
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	Victimize me Kate, victimize me. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

06-28-2006, 03:10 PM	#2
fusnik11 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,506	What was the relationship like between Clark and Lois? Was she always a jerk to him? She seemed extremely cold to him in the movie.