Does The World Need Another Superman Movie?
Just got out of seeing Superman Returns, Bryan Singer's successful attempt to revitalize the film series that Richard Donner started in the 70s. While others have complained about a lack of action and a "mopey" feel, I'm finding myself wondering if I saw the same film they did, or if maybe I've seen the revered 1977 Superman movie more recently and am aware of the laconic path that movie took - almost an hour before we see the titular hero in costume - in an attempt to ground the character in cinematic reality.
Singer's in prime form here, making the movie accessible to new audiences without being a slave to changing things just because. While he may lack the visual zip of a Sam Raimi and sometimes he lets a scene breathe just a bit too long, the film is energetic even when it's not about space rescues and citywide destruction thanks to Routh's dead-on performance and most of the cast (Bosworth aside) embracing the material and chewing the scenery just enough. Some people have commented that this was a Superman movie for people that don't know anything about Superman and haven't read the comics for years. That's rather the point of the whole exercise - to make the Man Of Steel relevant for a post-Matrix, Amber Alert society. Singer and the screenwriters succeed admirably in doing this, much more so than John Byrne did with The Man Of Steel in the comics. The introduction of new wrinkles to the myth - Lois Lane's fiancee Richard White (played by James Marsden, looking very relieved to not be behind giant ruby quartz lenses) is likeable and has many of the same traits that Lois sees in Superman and the child they're raising together - kept me wondering where the movie was going to go. This is a welcome departure that the film series can make away from the comics, opening up the future of the franchise by adding elements that hook a broader spectrum of moviegoers.
Superman Returns is not without its flaws - Kate Bosworth utterly fails to make me believe her slightly whiny take on Lois Lane would get a certificate for good attendace, much less a Pulitzer Prize and Luthor's plan smacks too much of the original film's land-grabbing plot, but one can be ignored and the other can be fixed with a bit more direction in the sequel, which I am certainly eager to see. Surely the most entertaining comic book movie of the year, at least until I see the Cromartie High School adaptation.
Bonus Link:
I've got a couple of small bites of comics suggestions over at Comic Foundry's latest issue. Tim Leong's a hell of a guy and I hope to do more for him in the future.
Singer's in prime form here, making the movie accessible to new audiences without being a slave to changing things just because. While he may lack the visual zip of a Sam Raimi and sometimes he lets a scene breathe just a bit too long, the film is energetic even when it's not about space rescues and citywide destruction thanks to Routh's dead-on performance and most of the cast (Bosworth aside) embracing the material and chewing the scenery just enough. Some people have commented that this was a Superman movie for people that don't know anything about Superman and haven't read the comics for years. That's rather the point of the whole exercise - to make the Man Of Steel relevant for a post-Matrix, Amber Alert society. Singer and the screenwriters succeed admirably in doing this, much more so than John Byrne did with The Man Of Steel in the comics. The introduction of new wrinkles to the myth - Lois Lane's fiancee Richard White (played by James Marsden, looking very relieved to not be behind giant ruby quartz lenses) is likeable and has many of the same traits that Lois sees in Superman and the child they're raising together - kept me wondering where the movie was going to go. This is a welcome departure that the film series can make away from the comics, opening up the future of the franchise by adding elements that hook a broader spectrum of moviegoers.
Superman Returns is not without its flaws - Kate Bosworth utterly fails to make me believe her slightly whiny take on Lois Lane would get a certificate for good attendace, much less a Pulitzer Prize and Luthor's plan smacks too much of the original film's land-grabbing plot, but one can be ignored and the other can be fixed with a bit more direction in the sequel, which I am certainly eager to see. Surely the most entertaining comic book movie of the year, at least until I see the Cromartie High School adaptation.
Bonus Link:
I've got a couple of small bites of comics suggestions over at Comic Foundry's latest issue. Tim Leong's a hell of a guy and I hope to do more for him in the future.
