OT- Superman Returns

[Neil Hill]

I caught this movie this afternoon and I really only have one phrase that can sum up the experience- this movie was pure exhileration and joy!! For any fan, young or old, who believes that a man can fly, and in Superman specifically, you'll enjoy the heck out of this masterpiece. I won't spoil an iota, as I'm sure the proliferation of recent online reviews can probably do that for you if that is what you seek.

Speaking as a fan who was old enough at the time to remember the first movie with Christopher Reeve in the 70's, the modern version brought back so much of what I loved about that first one. The heart and the spirit of it are all in the right place, doing exactly what they should be doing.

I know this phrase gets used much too often when describing situations like this, but I felt like I was a kid again, seeing Superman for the first time on the big screen. I was thrilled, touched, and moved in ways few movies have inspired in me. Just a complete class act of a film from start to finish.

In other words, GO SEE THIS MOVIE! :D

[Rob H]

You've put my mind at ease. :)

[Petersen]

IMAX tonight at 10!!!!

[hellboyone]

Saw it last night. The original Superman was the first movie I remember seeing in a theater. And it was all I could do to not "fly" out of the theater with arms outstretched like I did when I was 5 years old.

I might have been annoyed by Routh's "Reeveness" if I didn't get the sense that that's pretty much how the kid is in real life. From the few interviews I've seen with him, he's just awkward and sweet and charming and very much a Clark Kent type. And he really did embody Superman/Clark Kent beautifully. He made it his own. And I enjoyed all the actors' portrayals. Bosworth was more subtle than Margot Kidder but I think 5 years of raising a kid might do that to a girl. Spacey as Luthor was brilliant...mischievously insane and evil. Frank Langella played a low-key but still entertaining Perry White. The kid playing Olsen was great (nice nod to O.G. Jimmy Olsen in the bar). I'm a big Parkey Posey fan (I think she should be in every movie) and she was adorable here as Lex's moll (though I do miss the stupendously sexy Ms. Teschmacher). Yeah...great cast.

I don't know how the subplot that I can't mention (involving Lois's kid) will play out later. It'll be interesting. All the moments of that particular subplot were pretty nice though.

I had a blast. Great story, great big action scenes, the flying was just awe-inspiring, the small moments were beautiful and poignant...and a worthy return to the character in film. Bryan Singer and crew hit a homerun.

Anyone notice the writers of the movie and their cameo in the museum? God...those guys look like they're twelve! Lucky bastards...

(I'm not a fan of IMAX screenings of movies...too big. I don't like having to move my entire head around just to watch a movie. :) )

[el seth]

The movie may be reasonably criticized as being somewhat slow and and strange and something of a super hero art movie, a la Ang Lee's The Hulk, but less so.

That said IT FREAKING BLEW ME AWAY. I mean holy GOD it was awesome. Duh. Uh huh huh. Woah. It was astounding. I only dimly remeber the original films, but this was on a whole new level in terms of super hero work in film, I think, in every way.

Also, I want to marry Parker Posey. And maybe Kevin Spacey. Don't tell anyone.

[hellboyone]

The movie may be reasonably criticized as being somewhat slow and and strange and something of a super hero art movie, a la Ang Lee's The Hulk, but less so.


WAY less so. Superman Returns is so much more accessible. Plus I didn't fall asleep in the middle of it and wish the movie was over an hour earlier like I did during The Hulk.

I've heard pacing complaints before, but I'm pretty sensitive to weird or slow pacing and I didn't feel it a bit during this movie.

[Brisco]

I'll add my voice to the chorus of praise. I LOVED this movie! Singer and the writers perfectly captured teh tone for Superman. It's a worthy successor to the Donnery flicks while being its own thing at the same time. Completely awesome in every way. (Especially Routh and Spacey!) It's just a teeny notch beneath Spider-man 2 for me on the Superhero Movie Ladder--which I consider very high praise.
Brisco

[Petersen]

Wow.....I really can't sum it up more than that right now...wow

[Petersen]

ok, now that it's not 2 am, I may be able to come up with more than 'Wow'.

Routh is Superman. He is Clark Kent. What a great performance. I'm really happy that it didn't come across as a Christopher Reeve impersination or complete departure.

The ending dragged a bit, but I didn't mind at all.

On top of great action scenes, touching quiet moments, and a great cast, I really really enjoyed the visuals of the settings. The Daily Planet's lobby, The Kent farm, Downtown Metropolis, The new Krypton Island, The Fortress...Beautiful set design and conception. I had said for a while that I'd like to see a Fleischer style Superman with the 1930s look to Metropolis...but I enjoyed this blending of time periods, fashion, and architectural styles even more.

This is a movie I will see again in the theater

(Imax was cool, but there were times I thought about Rick's post of looking around the screen...also the 3D was a bit annoying with taking the glasses on and off....it took me out of the movie for a few seconds each time. I'll see it on a regular screen next time)

[Rob H]

It's a shame that my friends couldn't share my enthusiasm. I loved this film.

[Neil Hill]

The movie may be reasonably criticized as being somewhat slow and and strange and something of a super hero art movie, a la Ang Lee's The Hulk, but less so.

WAAAAAAAYYYYY less so. :D In fact, I would say IMHO that this is the best superhero movie I've ever seen. A bold claim to make for sure, but so many elements were just perfect here.

Some may be unnerved by the subplot that Rick mentioned in his post, but I see it as a fresh coat of paint on a mythology so ingrained, that it was time to introduce a new element or two to spice things up.

Also Rick, I agree that all of the actors performances were just right here, including Kevin Spacey. Some fanboy reviews had called his performance campy, but I completely disagree. I think he was equal parts madman and genius. Of course my perfect Lex will now and forever have the voice of Clancy Brown (who voiced Lex Luthor on the Adventures of Superman animated show), but that's another story.

[SpydaWeb]

(Imax was cool...also the 3D was a bit annoying with taking the glasses on and off....it took me out of the movie for a few seconds each time. I'll see it on a regular screen next time)

I was worried about that happening. Unfortunately I bought my tickets for IMAX 2 weeks ago. I'm hoping it doesn't bother me as much. I see it Sunday.

[hellboyone]

POSSIBLE SPOILAGE

I'll second Petersen's comments about the production design. Yes, it was wonderful. I was reading the latest issue of Morrison and Quitely's Superman and there was a scene that takes place at the Planet. The offices looked so drab and boring, like a news room out of a 40s movie. I thought, "Why am I noticing this so much? I've seen the Planet drawn this way a hundred times!" Then I realized it was because the Planet offices in the movie were so beautiful (without being over-the-top) and I was channeling that when I read the comic. There was great care all through the movie: The Fortress, Lex's boat, even the train model (shot so lovingly during THAT sequence).

One of my favorite Superman moments was seeing him hanging in space just listening to the Earth, pinpointing trouble spots, then zooming into action. That was nice..

[Jake Capps]

The tickets have been Fandangoed! I can't wait!:D

[Petersen]

I'll second Petersen's comments about the production design. Yes, it was wonderful.

I'm a big fan of films with a real sense of style or period or genre. I think there are a lot of movies that have been disappointing could be less so if they had only been set within the frame of a time period. Like I mentioned I had wanted a 30's Superman...but this movie did a really nice job of blending styles and time periods. There is an ambiguity of time period. Old cars, Laptops, Art Deco lobbies, Satellite news, late 70's tailoring.

If I had to come up with a negative...I worry a little bit about the implications of what was revealed/implied...but not so much that I think it has taken a wrong turn. I was less than enthusiastic with the adaptation of the X-Men Singer did, so knowing the little I did about the Superman plot, I was skeptical of what may be altered for this movie. If it wasn't for the X-thing...and I only was judging Singer on this movie, I wouldn't have the slightest hesitation about the subplot...but again, I don't think it was a wrong turn.

I'm glad that the cast is signed for more...it was a very very good cast.
Penn Gillete once said about the original movie that the writing is so unbelievable (makes me think of how actors hate George Lucas' dialogue .."you can write it, but you can't read it") that when Superman says, I believe in Truth, Justice, and the Ameican way...that the only way it has any weight, was because Christopher Reeve was saying it.."when he said it, you believed him"....I think Routh even upped the ante, his delivery of the wholesome was perfect. Believing a man could fly (again) was only the first thing this film did....

[Gary_B]

Morna and I just got back from the matinee and we both really enjoyed it. I don't have much else to say. I will probably go back while it is still on the big screen.

[Otto66]

Sorry, not a Superman fan. Doubt I'll see it.

[Jon D.]

Sorry, not a Superman fan. Doubt I'll see it.


yeah think i'll wait for the DVD, way too hot down here in the desert to go to the drive-in anyways.

[elhuevosupremo]

saw it....kind of like a non-event.....the first act was good....then it just kind of... i don't know....whatever.

[Hellmistress]

Sorry, not a Superman fan. Doubt I'll see it.

I have no choice - Hubby is desperate to see it, and I made him go and see SLITHER so I owe him one.

HM

[hellboyone]

Man...I couldn't get anyone to see Slither with me. You should move here. :)

[Hellmistress]

Man...I couldn't get anyone to see Slither with me. You should move here. :)

Oooohhhh ... don't tempt me, but I don't think there are too many jobs for museum documentation officers in L.A. Still ... :D

Loved SLITHER. Cheesy as hell and great fun.

HM

[hellboyone]

They've got the Gustav Klimt exhibition going on right now at the LA County Museum of Art. You could have checked out the documentation on those babies! :)

[E. Spears]

I saw it on wednesday night at an 11:00pm show. good stuff.

I thought it was wonderful. I was pretty pumped the whole time, and it was pretty much an awesome movie. I thought it was particularly pretty to look at, which is a super bonus.

however, I thought it was soooooo long. I really wish i was like 40 minutes shorter. soooo long.

it should probably be noted that I haven't seen any of the original movies, and that this was my first supes movie.

-e

[hellboyone]

I didn't feel the length at all. I happen to know from a friend with some inside knowledge that they trimmed a good hour from that movie for time so, you know....you lucked out, I guess, Cure. :)

[David Glassey]

6.5 out of 10 for me. I enjoyed it but I would have enjoyed it more if the villain was stronger and there was less Lois Lane. I really think comic book to film adaptors really have to learn to reel it in a bit when writing screenplays, keep it simple. I think that Singer is very talented but I felt a bit of heavy handedness in this film, particularly the romance angle and the Christ-like comparisons which for me really brought a downer feeling to the movie. I like the unrequited love scenario between Lois and Clark but I felt it was over complicated in this film. The flying scenes were fantastic though, in fact any scene with Superman in action was well done.

Give me more Supes, more Lex, less Lois. Balance is the key.

I did like the homages in the film, the photo of Routh picking up the car was straight off of Action Comics number 1.

[hellboyone]

I think you're gonna have to get used to how much Lois Lane there is in any Superman movie. Nobody's gonna make one without her as a major player, especially since these movies focus on her relationship with Superman.

And Lex did try to (highlight spoiler)destroy three-quarters of the United States. How much stronger does he need to be? ;)

It's funny....I completely missed the allusions to Christ (although they were there, for sure....although I think the original creators leaned more towards Moses than Jesus since they're Jewish). I just don't think about that stuff when I'm watching movies (I pretty much didn't think about the Christian overtones in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe either).

[rhboyd]

THANK YOU Rick.... I'm so tired of the Superman/Christ thing... Moses or nothing!!!

Also glad so many folks dug this flick... I had tears streaming down my face most of the time... I found it really moving... tons of heart in this film.... and that suits me just fine!!!

Kudos galore to Brian Singer!!!!
-r!

[Hellmistress]

They've got the Gustav Klimt exhibition going on right now at the LA County Museum of Art. You could have checked out the documentation on those babies! :)

Goldarnit, now that just ain't fair. Klimt!!!! Celtic_Fiddler, Spydaweb and I had a terrific day at LACMA when we were there for the HELLBOY weekend a couple of years back. One of my best artsy days EVER. Although we've a nice exhibition of Da Vinci cartoons here in Aberdeen at the moment, would you believe!! But I would exchange the dampness of Aberdeen at the moment for sunny South Cal ... sigh. Ho hum. THEN I could go to SDCC. Oh well. never mind. I is a glum Hellmistress. :(

HM

[morna]

.... I'm so tired of the Superman/Christ thing...

I usually find those sorts of allusions tiresome but there was a moment in the film where even I noticed a bit of a crucifix reference.



... I had tears streaming down my face most of the time... I found it really moving...


awww you mushy old thing you... I feel like giving you a big hug! ;)

[Rob H]

Like I said, the movie may have been long but all sense of time and reality was lost on me throughout the entire screening.

[rhboyd]

Thanks Morna.... I'll take that hug...

> squeeze <

luv,
-r!

[morna]

heh heh nice!

[David Glassey]

I have read essays that have compared Superman to the Jewish legend of the Golem, the creature created to defend Prague. You can attach all kinds of allegorical references to Superman, he embodies a great deal of archetypes. The Christ-like references come from Jor-El, a wise man from an off Earth civilization that is highly advanced, sending his only son to Earth, who becomes the saviour of humankind. I also think the "elemental" aspects of Superman to be interesting, he has the strength of the earth, the loftiness of air (flight), the power of fire (laser eyes), the gentleness of water (kindness, nurturing, renewing).

I guess the movie just wasn't for me, what can I say. I really don't like a lot of comic adaptations to film, something is just lost a lot of the time for me. I found with Superman I was enjoying moments and images as opposed to the whole package. I really like the action sequences, I just wish there was more to them than what I was presented with. There is so much going on the film...I think that Singer wanted to present so many images that maybe he just couldn't fit it all in the way he may have wanted to.


Speaking of Klimt, his painting titled "Adele" just became the most expensive painting ever sold. Somebody paid 135 million U.S. dollars for it. Eeesh, that is certainly more than I make in a week.

[Otto66]

I have no choice - Hubby is desperate to see it, and I made him go and see SLITHER so I owe him one. HM
I missed SLITHER at the theatres so I'm waiting for the DVD. Nice to see
the give and take of what makes a marriage work.
'Course, guess that don't
apply when frosting is concerned.:D

[Hellmistress]

I missed SLITHER at the theatres so I'm waiting for the DVD. Nice to see
the give and take of what makes a marriage work.
'Course, guess that don't
apply when frosting is concerned.:D

Yep - compromise. I had to go see Jet Li's FEARLESS last week, but I'll get my way when I go see PAN'S LABYRINTH - even the trailer gives him the creeps, and I'm sure the film will make him mightily uncomfy *snerk*. But when a man steals yer chocolate fudge frostin' ... he still owes me for that one. But I really can't get excited about SUPERMAN. Young 'Uns who barely seem old enough to shave, dressed in fancy pantyhose and a cape just don't do it for me.

HM

[el seth]

I liked all the Christ stuff. Yeah, it was there big time, but just weird enough to be evocotive and a little subversive. I also liked the meloncholy aspects. I have an inordinate affection for melodrama and this kind in specific. The whole thing just seemed kind of operatic. I'm not a huge Superman fan, so this I think was a damn intersting take, but I can see how one might find it just too down. For me, I think Supes is the ultimate superhero, so the number of intersting things you can do with the guy by changing things around or changing the tone is essentialy infinite.

POSSIBLE SPOILAGE

I'll second Petersen's comments about the production design. Yes, it was wonderful. I was reading the latest issue of Morrison and Quitely's Superman and there was a scene that takes place at the Planet. The offices looked so drab and boring, like a news room out of a 40s movie. I thought, "Why am I noticing this so much? I've seen the Planet drawn this way a hundred times!" Then I realized it was because the Planet offices in the movie were so beautiful (without being over-the-top) and I was channeling that when I read the comic. There was great care all through the movie: The Fortress, Lex's boat, even the train model (shot so lovingly during THAT sequence).


I really have to agree with you on this one, even though I love that series. The worst thing about it is, once it gets collected I know I can hand it of to non-superhero people and blow thier mind, but we'll have to wait something like two years for the whole thing to come out and get collected.

And at the end of the movie (And issue 3 of All-Star) were expecting SUPERMAN DEAD: By Clark Kent like I was?


Also glad so many folks dug this flick... I had tears streaming down my face most of the time...
-r!

I came really close, dude. Even the second time. :cool:

Also, what's with all the bitching about the whole "real estate" angle? It's way more than that, obviously. Maybe if they had Luthor not describe it that way people wouldn't be so dense about it.

[hellboyone]

The closest I came to any kind of tearing up was the scene with Superman speaking to his son. Other than that, I enjoyed myself but the original Superman is much closer to my heart. I get a little emotional every time I watch it.

[alz]

my 2cents:

First off, I liked it. I'd even possibly see it again in the theater (a rare thing!).

Having said that - (hahaha)
It was a little long (or rather the 2nd half had some potholes). A funny note - Singer did the same thing on X-Men 2 - the Climax Battle was followed with a looooong post-battle "death" ending.

Good character parts, but as a whole, I felt a little cheated. There wasn't a Lex vs. Superman whitty dialogue. After this huge build up, they're only on screen for say 2 minutes, and very one-sided (although quite a tasty one-side).

Wish the movie would've explained if Lex's fabrication was going to sprout grass or he just expected people to really dig homes on craggy rock.

Sups/Clark was really good. Lex was great. Even Jimmy was groovy. The more I think about it though, anything revolving around Lois didn't click for me. She was what the plot asked for without any chemisty. Her boyfriend Cyclops was good for the real-human superhero guy, but that was about it. And her kid... ouch. I can appreciate a new chapter in character development, although he didn't really do much except weeze and stare googling at everything. The piano bit was something purely for a sequel, since absolutely nothing was done with it. All it did was make me stare at the kid for the rest of film, expecting him to play more piano, which distracted me from who knows what.

1st half = 5 stars
2nd half = 2 stars


ps. I'm lazy and not reading the posts about the Christ subtext. So, I'll be annoying and say that Christ-like figures reach further back than just Christ. So, you could almost call Superman an Osiris story, for example.

[Rob H]

Just got back from my second viewing. Awesome.

[Neil Hill]

ps. I'm lazy and not reading the posts about the Christ subtext. So, I'll be annoying and say that Christ-like figures reach further back than just Christ. So, you could almost call Superman an Osiris story, for example.

More like Moses being floated down the river in a basket, to avoid being killed like all of the first born sons of the time. This is of course only taking into account "Americanized/Christian" theologies and leaving out the mythologies and belief systems the world over, with similar themes.

For anyone interested in tracing the roots of such hero mythologies, read Joseph Cambell's Hero with a Thousand Faces.

[Hellcow]

I enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun.

But it could have and should have been so much more.

Singer was really playing it safe.

[Neil Hill]

But it could have and should have been so much more. Singer was really playing it safe.

:confused: Just so I don't incure the wrath of other Messageboard folks, let me just state here first that you are of course entitled to your opinion. That being said, what more could it or should it have been!? Also, your "playing it safe" comment just doesn't make sense to me. Now I"m not saying it was a perfect movie by any means, but at least by me (and many others I'm sure) it is now quite beloved.

Just a little further explanation and quantification for your post would be appreciated.

[Jake Capps]

Spoiler!!!!

So is Superman a dead-beat dad now?:confused:

[hellboyone]

Spoiler!!!!

So is Superman a dead-beat dad now?:confused:

SPOILER...

Heheh...well, first off...he didn't even know about it. And second, Lois has been a reporter for much longer and she probably makes a crapload more money than Clark does (no endorsement deals yet for being Superman) so really he doesn't need to support them financially.

[Neil Hill]

*MAJOR SPOILER ALERT*

So the request question now becomes, will Superman asert his authority as father to this child and take the kid away at some point, to raise him in more of a Kryptonian fashion (with tutelage from the crystals in the Fortress of Solitude of course), or leave him in the care of his mother and step-father? Personally, I think the kid could benefit more from being raised by human parents (like he was), rather than as the "super" being he'll most likely grow into.

[Ta2grrl]

I have no choice - Hubby is desperate to see it, and I made him go and see SLITHER so I owe him one.

HM

Hehe...

A friend dragged me to that film and I actually ended up enjoying it...

It was a bit freaky knowing that they filmed it just down the street from me but...

:D

As for Superman...well done but not great...too much Lois Lane...esthetically pleasing but a little too draggy for my tastes...doubt I will see it again or buy the DVD...

XXX

[alz]

Weird... Ben Affleck is the next guy to play Superman --

http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1442737&sdm=web&qtw=480&qth=300

[Neil Hill]

Weird... Ben Affleck is the next guy to play Superman --

http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1442737&sdm=web&qtw=480&qth=300

No offense to Ben, as I sincerely liked him in Chasing Amy and even Good Will Hunting to a lesser degree; but not in his wildest dreams would he be playing Superman. No way Jose'.

Edit: OK, now that I've watched the video and can dispense with my initial knee jerk response to your post Alz, I will say that this makes better sense. Ben as the late George Reeves, an actor who's life went horribly wrong- yes. Ben taking the place of Brandon Routh as Superman in the next Superman movie- no. :D

[Hellcow]

:confused: Just so I don't incure the wrath of other Messageboard folks, let me just state here first that you are of course entitled to your opinion. That being said, what more could it or should it have been!? Also, your "playing it safe" comment just doesn't make sense to me. Now I"m not saying it was a perfect movie by any means, but at least by me (and many others I'm sure) it is now quite beloved.

Just a little further explanation and quantification for your post would be appreciated.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14936-2257476.html

[hellboyone]

Hollywoodland looks gorgeous....sort of LA Confidential-like, and the storytelling may be similar. It blows that they're not gonna be able to use the S-shield on the Superman outfit (legalities with Warner Bros. and all).

EDIT: Just read that the movie got permission to use the S-shield. Which is cool!

[Neil Hill]

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14936-2257476.html

Just so that I'm clear, is this you providing a non-answer by sending me to someone else's review? Or, do you just emphatically agree with all of the comments in this review? :confused:

I'm not trying to seem confrontational (actually quite the opposite). I'm just trying to figure out what you're getting at.

[Hellcow]

Just so that I'm clear, is this you providing a non-answer by sending me to someone else's review? Or, do you just emphatically agree with all of the comments in this review? :confused:

I'm not trying to seem confrontational (actually quite the opposite). I'm just trying to figure out what you're getting at.


I think this review gives SOME examples of what I mean by "playing it safe".

[hellboyone]

I don't think Singer was playing it safe so much as he was extremely reverential of the original movies....perhaps to a fault (depending on who you talk to). Singer's past work doesn't indicate that he likes to play it safe.

[Hellcow]

Singer's past work doesn't indicate that he likes to play it safe.


Maybe Usual Suspects... but what else has he done that wasn't safe?

[Maija]

Hollywoodland looks gorgeous....sort of LA Confidential-like, and the storytelling may be similar. That does look pretty darned cool. I looooovvvved LA Confidential.

It's funny that it was shot in Toronto though (presumably with some establishing shots from LA). That's gotta make some Hollywood people choke.

[Otto66]

Maybe Usual Suspects... but what else has he done that wasn't safe?
Well, its been rumored that he runs with scissors and has Pop-Rocks
and Coke for lunch.:D

[hellboyone]

Maybe Usual Suspects... but what else has he done that wasn't safe?

Apt Pupil, about a kid who blackmails a Nazi war criminal in hiding. And the TV show he produces House MD (I believe he directed the pilot) doesn't seem to be your average doctor show (although I haven't seen it myself). Future projects include The Mayor of Castro Street, based on the story of San Francisco openly gay politician Harvey Milk.

Also the scissors thing Otto mentioned. :)

[Neil Hill]

I wouldn't consider Bryan Singer a director who plays it safe. If so, why would he have taken things in the direction he did in Superman Returns with the offspring of Superman issue? That could have been completely left out of the story and affected nothing, however, Singer played with that aspect to great result IMO.

Also, I think Singer has only elevated any film which he's been a part of. IMHO playing it safe is Eddie Murphy making kiddie film after kiddie film these days, rather than taking chances and getting back to the roots of what made him famous (and funny) in the first place. Perhaps with a tinge of maturity now that he's older and wiser, but you get the point.

No, Singer is anything but safe. Definitely more reverential, as Rick had stated, but I wouldn't use the word safe in this context.

[Hellcow]

I wouldn't consider Bryan Singer a director who plays it safe. If so, why would he have taken things in the direction he did in Superman Returns with the offspring of Superman issue? That could have been completely left out of the story and affected nothing, however, Singer played with that aspect to great result IMO.

Also, I think Singer has only elevated any film which he's been a part of. IMHO playing it safe is Eddie Murphy making kiddie film after kiddie film these days, rather than taking chances and getting back to the roots of what made him famous (and funny) in the first place. Perhaps with a tinge of maturity now that he's older and wiser, but you get the point.

No, Singer is anything but safe. Definitely more reverential, as Rick had stated, but I wouldn't use the word safe in this context.

So would you describe any of his work as radical? innovative? How "unsafe" do you think he is?

[Neil Hill]

So would you describe any of his work as radical? innovative? How "unsafe" do you think he is?

Well Hellcow, how radical and unsafe would you want Superman to be anyway? Nic Cage as Superman? Superman fighting giant spiders? Brett Ratner directing Superman? All of these were considered at one point and not necessarily things that I'd want in any Superman movie I was going to see (except for maybe the Brett Ratner part, as his X III movie was great IMO).

I guess what I'm getting at, is that Superman doesn't need to be a radical out of left field type of movie in order to appeal to a wider audience. Singer's Superman was innovative and "unsafe" in its own way. Perhaps it wasn't coming at you like a music video as directed by David Fincher, but I think that kind of departure would be too far afield for the typical Superman fan to feel like this was the character they know and love. Speaking as a long time Superman fan, someone who has seen all of the movies (the good and the bad), I can honestly say that Singer's take hit all the proper notes for my taste.

[hellboyone]

Yeah...I think you can only go so far with Superman before people start getting pissed off. There were versions of this movie during the long run to the green light that were definitely not safe. And they were also HORRIBLE.

[Super Hero Guy]

Is it just me, or are Miss Teschmacher and Kitty the exact same character with different bodies?

[David Glassey]

Same character, different actress. You are correct in your judgement except Ms. Tesmacher had more lines of dialogue.

[Hellcow]

Well Hellcow, how radical and unsafe would you want Superman to be anyway? Nic Cage as Superman? Superman fighting giant spiders? Brett Ratner directing Superman? All of these were considered at one point and not necessarily things that I'd want in any Superman movie I was going to see (except for maybe the Brett Ratner part, as his X III movie was great IMO).

I guess what I'm getting at, is that Superman doesn't need to be a radical out of left field type of movie in order to appeal to a wider audience. Singer's Superman was innovative and "unsafe" in its own way. Perhaps it wasn't coming at you like a music video as directed by David Fincher, but I think that kind of departure would be too far afield for the typical Superman fan to feel like this was the character they know and love. Speaking as a long time Superman fan, someone who has seen all of the movies (the good and the bad), I can honestly say that Singer's take hit all the proper notes for my taste.

I understand what you're saying and I think its valid.

Where I'm coming from is more that there is a lot of great stuff in the comics that could have been used really well, but it wasn't, given that they really tied themselves to the first 2 original superman films. I liked those films, they were really good for the time, but now it feels like a restriction to be tied to them with the latest film.

Oh well... spilt milk I guess...

[J. Robb]

I was pleasantly surprised by "Superman Returns". A little too reverent of the 78 film, but overall great action scenes and some nice drama.

(And to hellboyone- your signature cracked me up. I loved that line last week too. :) )