I just was able to see Bryan Singer’s reimaged Superman in “Superman Returns.” Unlike my colleagues Summer and Mike, I was not treated to an early screening of the film, but, like just about everyone else had to stand in the lines in the 100 plus hot Nebraska sun and get my tickets (one each for me and my wife) – oh wait, there were no lines – but it is over 100 today (Sunday), regardless.
Because of our age, we got in for less, and our popcorn, drinks and my love for nacho-covered pretzels and Goobers ended up costing me more than a down payment on a new car – but, I digress.
When we left the house today to see this flick I was a bit sanguine about the whole ordeal. Afterall, I am of an age when I clearly remember George Reeves as my hero Superman, and when Christopher Reeve took up the role in the 1970’s, I thought, “just who is this young upstart to think he can replace the venerable George” who dispatched himself one night with a Kryptonite bullet. But, Chris won over my heart and allegiance and became for me and two generations, THE Superman.
Now I am going again to see a young upstart take on a legendary character of American iconic status and, again, take up the banner after the tragic death of a generational hero, Chris Reeve. Add to that the fact that I have heard my colleagues, except for Summer who totally loved it, go on about how the movie was slow in parts, too long on character development and short on storyline, I have received countless emails from our fans telling me how Kate Bosworth simply does not measure up to Margot Kidder’s performance as Lois Lane, and Jack wringing his hands on our show about how Kevin Spacey, as great as he is, simply does not measure up to Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor.
Well kids, now it’s Uncle Sam’s turn. When the lights went low, and that John Williams original musical score from the 1970’s opener started up and flooded my ears, an actual tear welled up in my eye. Singer, got me right then and there. I knew immediately that this film was not intending to replace what came before it, but was to pay respectful homage to it and all those responsible for bringing it to all Superman fans. I was overwhelmed with a feeling that was a combination of excited anticipation, overjoyed relief and quite reflection all in the space of time it took to allow the opening credits and music go by, so that by the time the story began, I was already hooked.
Brandon Routh, looks so much like the young Christopher Reeve and had his mannerisms down to such a fine degree, right down to the voice inflection that it was like watching this young man channel Chris for this role. Singer made a wise decision to not try and remake a new Superman/Clark Kent interpretation, but to build on what had been so painstakingly developed over decades of work. By taking this route the director showed the greatest respect for all those who came before him.
Kate Bosworth who played Lois Lane was absolutely flawless. Was she Margot Kidder? Thank God NO! This is one area where we did not need an actress channeling the other’s performance. Lois, in “Superman Returns” is no longer the totally self-centered, scatter-brain she was before. Superman has been out of her life for many years, she has the responsibility of a child and a real solid, caring relationship with another man who definitely loves her very much. If she had been like her previous incarnation, that aspect of her life would have never worked and it would have seemed very phoney to the audience. Not so however in Kate’s performance. Lois (who of course still loves the Man of Steel in her heart) is now someone who is a responsible, intelligent adult who cares more about people than getting the headline, more about her son than anything or anyone else (well sort of – she did take him onboard Luthor’s yacht – bad move). Other than that faux pax I for one was glad to see this change in her character development.
Now we get to the juicy part. Lex Luthor! Was Kevin Spacey trying to fit into Gene Hackman’s shoes. Definitely not! Did Kevin pull off Lex Luthor…at least the dark, sinister and truly maniacle but highly intelligent and plotting Luthor of the comics? Absolutely! There is nothing funny, comical or desirable about Lex and Kevin played him as the blackened soul that he is. I found his performance profoundly fascinating and Kevin was perfectly suited for the part.
Was the story the best it could have been? Well, except for a very few instances in cinema, is any on-screen story as good as it could have been? Of course not. Was it adequate for the task at hand of reintroducing a beloved character to a whole new generation of young Superman enthusiasts? You bet it was, and it did so without the need to be as campy as the earlier 1970’s and 80’s versions.
Speaking of a new generation, I have to share with you my impression of the audience that attended the showing we were at. There were a lot of people there from all walks of life and age ranges. What got me most was the amount of children and young people who came. One young lad, about 5 or 6 years old, came fully attired in his Superman outfit, cape and all. I thought how, as great as I and my generation thought George Reeves and Christopher Reeve were as Superman, these kids will be raised on Brandon Routh as their superhero. By the end of the film, I knew that the image of my great hero Superman, was in very good hands for this new generation of children and young people.
And one other thing happened that you rarely experience these days in a movie theater…at the close of the film when the end credits started rolling, the audience burst into enthusiastic applause.
On the Uncle Sam scale of 0 to 5, I give “Superman Returns 4-1/2. Go see it, and see it, and see it again.
Paul says
Day-um, Sam, you know how to write a good review.
I loved the film too, but I would’ve given it a four out of five instead. I had a couple of problems with the film that you didn’t mention;
Lois Lane. Unlike many (and like you, Sam) I thought that Bosworth’s performace was spot-on. However, I felt that for the first hour or so of the film Lois’ character was written kinda weak and didn’t cut it. Now that I think about it, a lot of the film was kinda weak for the first hour, especially the story (it moved pretty slow and there was a rather obvious plot hole).
Lex Luthor: More I say! More! We needed to see more of the Lex that we saw in that one scene towards the end (you guys know which one I’m talking about).
The homages: there were too friggin’ many. I’m all for homages but I think they took it overboard. Pretty much the entire airplane rescue sequence (don’t complain about spoilers, you’ve all seen the trailers) was a larger-scale version of the helicopter scene from the original, right down to the dialogue and character interaction.
But other than those things I thought the film was excellent. Sam’s right: Go see it, then go see it again.
Cougar says
Seen the movie the other night, loved it.
Patman says
Sam,
I absolutely agree with what you just said. I’ve been collecting comics for 20 years now (wow, that’s a lot) and I could probably go into detail and nitpick little things that did bug me in the movie BUT did they capture the essence of the world of Superman, You bet they did. Coming into a film like this, it’s hard….very hard to live up to Christopher Reeve and I don’t think you want to. That would be silly to be just like that because you would have critics saying they tried too hard to be just like the 1978 version. It was a tribute like you said and it was done beautifully.
As for Kevin Spacey, oh yes, done very well indeed! Yes, he could have had more time on the screen like I’ve been hearing but you know what, I thought he did get a lot of screen time in but he was so ruthless that the audience wanted more and it wasn’t enough for them. LOL
Kate Bosworth showed us a different side of Lois Lane that no one has seen before, especially at being a mother. Even though I wasn’t too excited about her performance I think she did a pretty good job…I really enjoyed her persistence in getting to the bottom of the blackout storyline.
All in all, it’s hard not to compare the legendary performances in the 1978 version to the new version. I think we got the best of both worlds. A tribute and a up and coming new Superman for the next generation.
tallgrrl says
Great review, Sam.
I really liked the movie.
Brandon Routh is, indeed, Superman in the Christopher Reeves mold. Unearthly beauty, but something behind the eyes hints that his Clark Kent is all an act. But not just an act. A put-on. His take on people.
Kevin Spacey. What can you say? Funny/scary and perhaps a bit pitiful in his petty envy. (You just know he’s gonna eat that…oops…no spoilers here!)
The music, the digital fx, the cinematog, the design. The direction.
I’m with ya on pretty much everything…except the little kid playing (and I mean “playing” in every sense of the word) Lois Lane.
Too. Damn. Young.
She didn’t give me the impression that she:
a) Was a writer for a major newspaper. (College paper, maybe?); and
b)Was a mother. (I’ve seen tiny Moms before, but there was NOTHING about her body that said “I’ve had a baby”.) If her character was professional body builder or someone who looked like they were physically fit, then maybe…MAYBE…I’d buy it. But no. She has the body of an 11 year old. A bony 11 year old.
Was Lois 16 years old 5 years ago when she and Superman got busy??
It was like the remake of the Omen all over again.
Me? I’m sick of the casting of pre-teens as Leading Ladies.
But this Superman makes me want to see a sequel.
Big time.