I really, really liked this movie. I never try to justify my hype or expectations with a positive review and I'm happy to say Superman Returns does not dissapoint how much I've looked forward to this film.

 

To save those from being spoiled I'll post a semi-spoilerish review below. I do a bit of comparing to what I consider the best work in the similar revamped Comic Book to screen adaptation genre, Batman Begins. I don't think it is spoilerish but just to be safe and to not wreck anyones experience I've tagged it.

 

My biggest concern coming into this movie was whether or not Brandon Routh's version of the man in blue tights would be as compelling and interesting as Christian Bale's Batman is. I can give a big resounding yes to that. This Superman is layered, interesting, and I rooted for this character.

 

Routh plays the parts of Clark Kent and Superman very well. He plays Superman as the perfect, smooth talking hero and Kent as the complete opposite bufoon. After seeing the trailers for SR I was expecting a blockbuster with great special effects but not the storyline or characters that a Batman Begins had. I was wrong and Routh proved what a fantastic choice he is. I can't think of anyone currently better for the role besides the late Mr. Reeve, and Routh gives him a run for his money.

 

Lex Luthor is played extremely well and not suprisingly by Kevin Spacey. Spacey is perfect as Luthor as he is able to deliver lines and mannerisms that would seem extremely unrealistic and silly coming from any other actor. The film does a good job of balancing how much they show of Superman along with showing the happenings of Luthor. Singer does a great job of not letting you forget who the enemy is and follows both stories until they reach a boiling point at the climax at the end.

 

Unlike Katie Holmes' Rachel Dawes in BB, Kate Bosworth's Lois Lane does not stick out like a sore thumb. She isn't spectacular by any means but she is a very good love interest for Mr. Kent and her emotions were never over the top or absurd.

 

What really makes this film for me is that unlike most Superhero/Comic Book movies I was actually on the edge of my proverbial seat at the climax of the film. Never before have I seen a movie of this genre stack up so many odds against the protagonist. Luthor puts Superman on the ropes more then any villian I've seen in this genre and because of this it sucks you in and draws you extremely close to Superman. Singer knows who the star of this is and he makes sure SM shines extremely bright.

 

The special effects were absolutely amazing from top to bottom. The discussed plane scene was fantastic, Superman's aerial shots were phenomenal, and the scenery was beautiful.

 

My one problem with the movie is that the ending tied up a bit too neatly and I didn't like the handling of Luthor at the end. It's not a bad ending, but its not spectacular or leaving you wanting for more like Batman Begins did.

 

Overall: 4/5

 

It was pretty cool, Kevin Spacey is the man. And yeah, Brandon Routh pulled off Superman and also Clark Kent very well.

 

I wish I could have seen it in IMAX because it was enjoyable how the movie was directed and I can only imagine it's going to be kickass IMAX-style.

 

 

 

I totally agree with Passion that the ending didn't have that satisfaction that leaves you wanting more. Lex Luthor was such a vital character throughout the film and then at the end, he's stranded and that's that. Ehh. I would have also liked to see Clark Kent at the end, he just totally disappeared after they were searching for Lois. I know he's only a sub character of Superman but still.

 

Anyone going to a 10 o'clock showing tonight? Alot of the local theatres here are having showings then.

 

I thought I'd be catching this tommorrow but I'm not going to miss any of the Mets-Sox series so it looks like I'll have to wait until Saturday.

 

I know some people going, and ya I expect it to be very packed.

 

I'm going on Friday night, and I really have no idea how crowded the IMAX usually is when they show movies.

 

The IMAX I'm going to tonight (1030 PM) is already sold out. And the two primetime shows are sold out tomorrow as well. If you're going passed 6 PM on Friday expect to be in a 100% full theater.

 

YOU MUST ARRIVE 30-40 MINUTES EARLY ON FRIDAY, JEWCUBED. Or else you'll end up in the first 8 rows and it will be a pretty terrible experience. You want to go about 7 rows from the top in the middle of the theater, that is ideal. Lower than that and your going to be looking back and forth across the screen all movie long.

 

Remember though, ARRIVE PLENTY EARLY!

Thanks for the heads up. I will arrive about an hour and a half early. I live within walking distance (literally 2 and a half minutes down Riverwalk), so I don't have to worry about parking and what not. I am going to get great seats for this, no doubt. I paid 12 bucks a ticket!

 

Also, were the 3D sequences amazing or what? Don't tell me what they were--just tell me how badass they were!

Yeah I'm curious to know what the 3D sequences were after seeing it.

 

Spoiler text them please.

Yeah I'm curious to know what the 3D sequences were after seeing it.

 

Spoiler text them please.

 

 

Wish I knew how to spoiler tag.

 

 

 

Clark jumping around in the cornfields and then levitating in the barn.

Plane sequence

Boat Sequence

Final 2 minutes or so of the film

There was probably another one I'm forgetting

 

 

 

Overall the 3D was cool, but it wasn't super cool or something I'd pay 7 extra dollars to see. However I would pay the 7 dollars extra for the complete IMAX experience (nicer chairs, cleaner, screen 6 stories tall, amazing sound).

 

Visuals in the movie were stunning, so it was definitely worth seeing in IMAX.

 

Probably some of the best visuals in a movie I've ever seen. I liked Superman Returns (fun, visuals) and Batman Begins for completely different reasons (story, intelligence), though. Don't analyze SR, just be awed by it, if you start thinking about it, you aren't going to enjoy it much.

I just came back from seeing it. I HIGHLY recommend this movie!! First off, Brandon Routh takes the role of Clark Kent/Superman that was established by Christopher Reeve and pulls it off quite nicely.He displayed every kind of emotion that I can remember Christopher Reeve doing in the first movie and pull it off and even at times makes it his own. Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane however is no Margot Kidder. She doesn't have the same independent, tough woman type that Margot displayed in the earlier films. She was serviceable at best for me in the role. The one that I was really impressed with however, was Kevin Spacey. I remember saying earlier that I didn't think nobody could pull off Lex Luthor the way Michael Rosenbaum had been doing in Smallville and I completely take that back. He was in ways psychotic, evil and just about everything Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor wasn't. Kevin was THE perfect actor to play LL imo. The scenes with Marlon Brando were also a nice touch and was done in a real classy way and weren't cheesey whatsoever.

 

 

The visuals were absolutely stunning. The 3D sequences are definately a sight to behold and that sequence with the airplane really sets you up for how the rest of the movie is going to flow. There were times that I felt it was dragging on a bit, but it quickly picks backs up. I don't know if I can say that its better than Batman Begins because BB was such a completely different movie and Bruce Wayne/Batman is a much more complex character than Clark Kent/Superman. So while BB is my favorite of the two, I would put Superman Returns in a very close second.

 

Overall, Superman Returns really does so many things right that you really wouldn't have any problems putting them in the same kind of category as Superman I and II. I really cannot wait to see what Bryan Singer has in story for the second Superman movie. If SR2 can be anything like what he did for X-Men 2, then we have alot to look forward to.

 

 

Highly recommended, B+/A-

Hopefully seeing it tomorrow night....

Saw it last night and it was pretty good. 4/5 for me as well. This is how I would rank the last few superhero movies

 

X-Men 2

Batman Begins

Spider Man

Superman

X-Men

Hulk

I saw this yesterday afternoon. I thought it was good. I didnt think it was excellent. Id give it a "B" whereas I would gove Batman Begins an "A". I thought Brandon Rousch*sp played Clark Kent and Superman very good. I thought Kate Bosworth played an awesome Lois Lane. The man who stole the show was definately Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. The man was incredible. I found that there was a lot of humor in the movie more than I expected, yet I enjoyed it. Overall it was good however I think that the future Superman movies are gonna be outrageous.

I agree with your last statement.

 

I think this franchise is going to go on a similar path of the first two X-Men movies, directed by Singer as well. A good interesting start with the sequel kicking all ammounts of ass.

Agreed. This movie wasn't great, just good. However I could see the sequels being great. Batman Begins was clearly the better film in my eyes in just about every facet except special effects (really impressive SFX wouldn't have fit into BB anyway), but Superman Returns was fun and exciting nonetheless.

 

I haven't been able to get the Superman Theme out of my head all day...I also loved the visuals. And while I had problems with the story/plot/writing, it was very well acted by Routh, Spacey and Posey. Wasn't really feeling Bosworth as much, but there's room to improve there as well with improved writing. Also, despite what the critics say, I thought the pacing was solid.

 

Fortunately we'll have two great franchises running for the next 6 summers or so with two great directors, Chris Nolan and Bryan Singer, leading the way.

Agreed. This movie wasn't great, just good. However I could see the sequels being great. Batman Begins was clearly the better film in my eyes in just about every facet except special effects (really impressive SFX wouldn't have fit into BB anyway), but Superman Returns was fun and exciting nonetheless.

 

I haven't been able to get the Superman Theme out of my head all day...I also loved the visuals. And while I had problems with the story/plot/writing, it was very well acted by Routh, Spacey and Posey. Wasn't really feeling Bosworth as much, but there's room to improve there as well with improved writing. Also, despite what the critics say, I thought the pacing was solid.

 

Fortunately we'll have two great franchises running for the 6 or so summers with two great directors, Chris Nolan and Bryan Singer, leading the way.

 

That reminds me, kudos to Singer for keeping John Williams theme (so underrated and better than his own Star Wars) and having John Ottoman use and expand on it. The whole movie had a great score and you should look into the soundtrack it is great.

Agreed. This movie wasn't great, just good. However I could see the sequels being great. Batman Begins was clearly the better film in my eyes in just about every facet except special effects (really impressive SFX wouldn't have fit into BB anyway), but Superman Returns was fun and exciting nonetheless.

 

I haven't been able to get the Superman Theme out of my head all day...I also loved the visuals. And while I had problems with the story/plot/writing, it was very well acted by Routh, Spacey and Posey. Wasn't really feeling Bosworth as much, but there's room to improve there as well with improved writing. Also, despite what the critics say, I thought the pacing was solid.

 

Fortunately we'll have two great franchises running for the 6 or so summers with two great directors, Chris Nolan and Bryan Singer, leading the way.

 

That reminds me, kudos to Singer for keeping John Williams theme (so underrated and better than his own Star Wars) and having John Ottoman use and expand on it. The whole movie had a great score and you should look into the soundtrack it is great.

 

I had actually been looking for the soundtrack all day after watching the movie last night and ended up downloading it from iTunes. The opening theme is as powerful today as it was for me the first time I heard it almost 20 years ago. I haven't had a chance to listen to the entire soundtrack yet (Its been Superman night for me: Smallville at 8, Look up in the sky! on A&E currently playing right now and The Science of Superman later on at 11 on the National Geographic Channel), but I'm really excited to sit down and really get a chance to listen to it.

Agreed. This movie wasn't great, just good. However I could see the sequels being great. Batman Begins was clearly the better film in my eyes in just about every facet except special effects (really impressive SFX wouldn't have fit into BB anyway), but Superman Returns was fun and exciting nonetheless.

 

I haven't been able to get the Superman Theme out of my head all day...I also loved the visuals. And while I had problems with the story/plot/writing, it was very well acted by Routh, Spacey and Posey. Wasn't really feeling Bosworth as much, but there's room to improve there as well with improved writing. Also, despite what the critics say, I thought the pacing was solid.

 

Fortunately we'll have two great franchises running for the next 6 summers or so with two great directors, Chris Nolan and Bryan Singer, leading the way.

 

 

Well you see, thats the key. As great as Superman II was, imagine how much better it could have been had Richard Donner been allowed to complete it? Or what Superman III and IV would have turned out? And what about the Batman franchise? If Tim Burton said on to do Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, do you think they would have needed the reboot of Batman Begins?

 

I think the important factors for these two franchises is that the studios find a way to keep Singer on the Superman franchise and Nolan on the Batman franchise if they want to enjoy future successes with these two franchises.

Agreed. This movie wasn't great, just good. However I could see the sequels being great. Batman Begins was clearly the better film in my eyes in just about every facet except special effects (really impressive SFX wouldn't have fit into BB anyway), but Superman Returns was fun and exciting nonetheless.

 

I haven't been able to get the Superman Theme out of my head all day...I also loved the visuals. And while I had problems with the story/plot/writing, it was very well acted by Routh, Spacey and Posey. Wasn't really feeling Bosworth as much, but there's room to improve there as well with improved writing. Also, despite what the critics say, I thought the pacing was solid.

 

Fortunately we'll have two great franchises running for the next 6 summers or so with two great directors, Chris Nolan and Bryan Singer, leading the way.

 

 

Well you see, thats the key. As great as Superman II was, imagine how much better it could have been had Richard Donner been allowed to complete it? Or what Superman III and IV would have turned out? And what about the Batman franchise? If Tim Burton said on to do Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, do you think they would have needed the reboot of Batman Begins?

 

I think the important factors for these two franchises is that the studios find a way to keep Singer on the Superman franchise and Nolan on the Batman franchise if they want to enjoy future successes with these two franchises.

 

While we agree that they need to keep the directors on, I disagree about Tim Burton. Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns were bad movies, and his direction really didn't help matters (over the top gothicism, more concentration on villains than Batman himself).

Agreed. This movie wasn't great, just good. However I could see the sequels being great. Batman Begins was clearly the better film in my eyes in just about every facet except special effects (really impressive SFX wouldn't have fit into BB anyway), but Superman Returns was fun and exciting nonetheless.

 

I haven't been able to get the Superman Theme out of my head all day...I also loved the visuals. And while I had problems with the story/plot/writing, it was very well acted by Routh, Spacey and Posey. Wasn't really feeling Bosworth as much, but there's room to improve there as well with improved writing. Also, despite what the critics say, I thought the pacing was solid.

 

Fortunately we'll have two great franchises running for the next 6 summers or so with two great directors, Chris Nolan and Bryan Singer, leading the way.

 

 

Well you see, thats the key. As great as Superman II was, imagine how much better it could have been had Richard Donner been allowed to complete it? Or what Superman III and IV would have turned out? And what about the Batman franchise? If Tim Burton said on to do Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, do you think they would have needed the reboot of Batman Begins?

 

I think the important factors for these two franchises is that the studios find a way to keep Singer on the Superman franchise and Nolan on the Batman franchise if they want to enjoy future successes with these two franchises.

 

While we agree that they need to keep the directors on, I disagree about Tim Burton. Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns were bad movies, and his direction really didn't help matters (over the top gothicism, more concentration on villains than Batman himself).

 

Tim Burton directed Batman and Batman Returns, both good movies. I REALLY liked Burton's city, I liked the fact that the people in it were all jerks and I like focusing on the Joker and Penguins schemes. Batman is nothing without his viallains and they deserve their due. I thought Buton's Batman movies were genius.

 

Joel Shumacher directed Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. Joel Shumacher changed Burton's serious Gotham into the campy Adam West style of colors and imagery. He basically ruined it.

 

I don't care if they switch directors, as long as the directors they switch to are okay with the material, know what they're doing and it's proven in their work they're capable of doing it.

Agreed. This movie wasn't great, just good. However I could see the sequels being great. Batman Begins was clearly the better film in my eyes in just about every facet except special effects (really impressive SFX wouldn't have fit into BB anyway), but Superman Returns was fun and exciting nonetheless.

 

I haven't been able to get the Superman Theme out of my head all day...I also loved the visuals. And while I had problems with the story/plot/writing, it was very well acted by Routh, Spacey and Posey. Wasn't really feeling Bosworth as much, but there's room to improve there as well with improved writing. Also, despite what the critics say, I thought the pacing was solid.

 

Fortunately we'll have two great franchises running for the next 6 summers or so with two great directors, Chris Nolan and Bryan Singer, leading the way.

 

 

Well you see, thats the key. As great as Superman II was, imagine how much better it could have been had Richard Donner been allowed to complete it? Or what Superman III and IV would have turned out? And what about the Batman franchise? If Tim Burton said on to do Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, do you think they would have needed the reboot of Batman Begins?

 

I think the important factors for these two franchises is that the studios find a way to keep Singer on the Superman franchise and Nolan on the Batman franchise if they want to enjoy future successes with these two franchises.

 

While we agree that they need to keep the directors on, I disagree about Tim Burton. Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns were bad movies, and his direction really didn't help matters (over the top gothicism, more concentration on villains than Batman himself).

 

Really? You really didn't like Batman and Batman Returns? Out of the four that were made (before BB), those were the best ones and really showed the dark, grittyness of Batman and Gotham City. When Joel Shumacher came on board to make Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, he turned everything into this very comic booky type world that really didn't feel like it fit in to the type of character Batman really was. I mean to this day, every time I see those rubber nipples on the Bat suit, I go absolutely ballistic as to what Joel did to that franchise.

 

I'm not knocking your opinion and please don't think that I am, but I'm just a bit by it is all.

Oh dear god no. I am not saying I like Joel Shumacher's Batman films. I'd rank them like this.

 

1. Batman C- (Solid. However, The Joker was the main character)

2. Batman Forever C- (With some edits and less camp the film could have been decent)

3. Batman Returns D (I'm sorry. They got pretty much everything wrong. The backstories and styles of the villains were way off base. Far too gothic for my tastes. The plot was ludicrous.)

4. Batman and Robin F- (Let's not go there)

 

I just find Burton's films to be overrated. None of them are even allowed to hold Batman Begin's jock in my mind.

 

Buckeye, I disagree with you. I know it's called Goth-am, but I hated the city in Batman Returns. Some gothic elements are fine, like what you saw in the building shots from Batman Begins, but I believe Gotham to be more gritty and dark than over the top gothic as Burton seemed to interperet it.

For me while Batman ('89) was done well, Batman Begins does it best.It's easily my favorite out of the five Batman movies and it doesn't make the villians seem too over the top like the Joker and the Penguin were. I think it also adds alot of depth to the character of Bruce Wayne and his struggle to cope with the death of his parents whereas in the original Batman (Again, '89), Bruce Wayne felt more of a side character and took a back seat to Batman. Chris Nolan did a really great job of not only showing that Bruce Wayne and Batman are one in the same, but also added individual life to both characters.

 

 

So yeah I'll agree with you there that Batman Begins is a far superior movie than any of the first four. :thumbup

Yeah, "Would you like to see my mask?" wasn't over the top.

 

Batman's villains are CRAZY. Of course they're over the top. They should be. They're as much apart of the story as Batman.

I guess thats a good point. There are times in Superman Returns that Lex Luthor seems a little stretched out for his own good. It all goes back to the source material I suppose.

Yeah, "Would you like to see my mask?" wasn't over the top.

 

Batman's villains are CRAZY. Of course they're over the top. They should be. They're as much apart of the story as Batman.

 

 

Theres a difference in the "over the top" element seen in Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow and Jim Carrey's Riddler.

Yeah, "Would you like to see my mask?" wasn't over the top.

 

Batman's villains are CRAZY. Of course they're over the top. They should be. They're as much apart of the story as Batman.

 

 

Theres a difference in the "over the top" element seen in Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow and Jim Carrey's Riddler.

 

I didn't have a problem with Carrey's Riddler. Wasn't close enough in origina to the current Riddler, but he was smarmy enough. Ridder's basically a bad gameshow host, so why not? The plot kind of sucked, but I thought Carrey was great.

Got back a little while ago from seeing the movie. I enjoyed it. I'm not as much of a movie guy as most of you are but I thought it was pretty good, and I'd give it 3/5 Dodge stars.

If you guys want some laughs check out Batman Begins on Rottentomatoes. Those negative reviews are so horrid and don't even deal with the actual movie (moreso complaints about the stuff they wanted to see, or comparisons to Memento).

 

Rex Reed says: "Batman Begins is for morons."

 

And, I've had to hold off on Superman until the weekend, dammit.