NoFace for Film

Title: Superman Returns
Year: 2006
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring Cast: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, Frank Langella
Rated: PG-13
Review by: repdetect2 of homebase

NoFace for Film rating: 4 out of 7
Superman Returns : an IMAX 3D experience

Needless to say, I have been extremely excited about this movie ever since I heard it was finally getting off the ground. After tracking the production(s), watching numerous failures, bad ideas, and complete stalls seeing the movie completed truly is a triumph. Personally, I have always been on what you would call the “geek” end of the superhero movie spectrum. Having read the comics (new and old), watched all the films, and seen all the animations, I set the bar rather high for this film. The penultimate in the Superman media for me (outside of a few well done animations) is the original 1978 Richard Donner film. It’s hard not to compare this new film to the old one as the first two are listed as being “vague sequels”. The movie loses some of it’s luster right away for me since my Dad and I can’t watch it together like we have all the other ones. I promise not to let that bias sway me

Well on to the story…

Without giving too much away, the story centers on the return of Superman after a 5 year absence. In the time he has been gone, the world has changed and everyone has moved on, yet the problems that plague society are still there. And it becomes evident that the world has missed Superman in his absence. Superman makes his big return in grand fashion, and while the whole world watches, his old nemesis Lex Luthor of course doesn’t like it. Lex had been working a brilliant idea for world domination, but with Superman’s return, he swiftly modifies it to not only be a success, but rid the world of him once and for all. After having to face his old foe once again, Superman finds himself in a life and death struggle for his own existence. A struggle that if he loses, will find billions of people dead. Now for the good and bad…

The film has many elements that work for it, but quite a few that keep it from being just a good movie and not a really great one. The first one is that despite the “vague sequel” moniker that’s been placed on the film, it really presents itself as a sequel. However, it doesn’t commit and that leaves holes in the story and the characters unless you’re quite familiar with the Superman universe. While most people are, this is a re-launch for a whole new generation, and like the recent comic re-launch, Superman, there are certain things you just have to address (tremendous read and I highly suggest it). The Superman Returns novelization adds a lot of details that help add more depth to the return of Clark to daily life, how his own mother has moved on, what he found on Krypton and how majestic it was, and the struggle to put the suit on again. With these being left out, it, at times, come across hollow.

 
Where the film soars is with Brandon and his portrayal of Superman and Spacey as Lex. Brandon seems to have a handle on how you would move if you flew, how Superman would reply and the onscreen presence of the Man of Steel. While it’s not near as good Christopher Reeves, it’s the best we have seen since he did the role (Smallville included). Kate Bosworth was flat as Lois, and not really inspiring at all. Frank Langella is Perry was a good choice, James Marsden as Richard White was excellent, and Sam Huntington did Jimmy Olsen as good as you can expect. The Superman/Lois love angle, really doesn’t help the pacing of the film, and at times, slows it down to a crawl…The special effects of believing that a man can fly were very, very well done. The plane sequence is outstanding, arguably one of the best scenes I have seen on film in awhile. The rescue sequence of Lois, Richard and child is extremely impressive also. And Superman saving the city from multiple disasters, again well done. These moments save, what would be an otherwise boring film at times. The ending is something that people are going to be talking about all over the world (trust me, it’s that big). And not the ending your thinking of, a startling revelation is made that is going to shake the Superman foundation to its core, and make a sequel (if they happen) one of the more talked about films to come. Part of me likes the direction they took, and another part of me doesn’t. I am wavering on this one, but would love your comments on what value, if any adds to this newly created universe. Lastly, the presentation…

The 3D scenes were quite impressive, and added a new level of interpolating 2D to 3D I had never experienced before. Gone are the cheesy effects we have seen in years past. This is the closest to a 3D environment we are going to see unless they some how integrate the Sony Glasstron environment into each and every theater. The surround sound effects were presented in uncompressed Dolby Digital. This is quite different from the home version of Dolby Digital (DVD) which uses a compression scheme for its audio, and Dolby Digital Plus (HD-DVD/Blu-Ray) which still uses compression but not quite as much. The sound effects honestly were standard fair. Good separation, spatial effects, and sweeping sounds. Nothing earth shattering here though, and it certainly wasn’t one of the best mixes I have heard which was surprising, but enjoyable. Wrapping it up…

Superman Returns is a triumph on so many levels, yet, fails to be a superb film. I never felt the pain and anguish I felt during Spiderman, Spiderman 2 or Superman: The Movie, when the hero fails and has to make tough decisions. Yet other times, the attempt to hit your feelings is so good, you nearly have to wipe your eyes. And the ending, the revelation I am not sure I like, well that one tugs at you too. While it’s not the best comic film ever made, you will enjoy it. Sorry for such a long review, but outside of Pirates of the Caribbean 2 this is the summer movie.
See it for yourself, and then come back and talk about it…

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