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Harry Spent FATHER'S DAY watching SUPERMAN RETURNS!!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
Today, I took my father to see SUPERMAN RETURNS, it also happens to be Father’s Day. The theater was filled with an enthusiastic audience eager to see the return of Superman. All of you know how much I’ve been anticipating this film.
I have had an immense amount of faith in Bryan Singer and his team – mainly because Bryan made a pretty damn good first X-MEN film, even when the studio was working against him most of the way. And then on X2, when he had the proper support – he knocked it out of the park. But more so… the faith in Bryan Singer originates with THE USUAL SUSPECTS and APT PUPIL. Two films that are absolutely great character pieces. That Bryan miraculously found Hugh Jackman for Wolverine gave me faith in Brandon Routh. My hesitancy and fears lay squarely on how closely they kept to Donner’s vision.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the original SUPERMAN… I also love SUPERMAN II. And I own 16mm prints of both films. I’ve seen them… countless times. Hell, this year alone, I’ve watched the original SUPERMAN, no less than 4 times. And while I love Christopher Reeve to death… and I love everything that happens prior to the introduction to Otis’ Theme… I really do dislike “evil” in the SUPERMAN films. Gene Hackman was perfectly cast – but I hated that he wore a wig 99% of the time. I hated that he surrounded himself with absolute buffoons. And I despised that his schemes were more of the huckstery actions of a blowhard… not that of the greatest criminal mind of our times. Not the actions of a brilliant criminal scientist.
But while those scenes were integral to the last two thirds of the original SUPERMAN… I still love that film to death. It’s iconic. Primal. On December 11th, 1978 – my father hung the Mylar SUPERMAN one-sheet on the wall of my bedroom – before I woke up. I remember opening my eyes – seeing the poster and just laying there on my belly looking at it – believing I was going to see a man fly. 2 days later Dad had passes to an advance screening of SUPERMAN in 70mm at the AMERICANA here in Austin. A few weeks later and several screenings of SUPERMAN, someone had written in to the local newspaper to ask how to get autographs for HARRISON FORD, MARK HAMILL and CHRISTOPHER REEVE. Dad cut that out and showed it to me. I sat down and wrote a letter to each. Three months later, I got a little photo of Christopher in his Superman costume and an autograph. That blew me away. I was hooked.
Hell, I even have a fond spot for 3 & 4, just because of Christopher Reeve. He was never “the problem” with the original series. Neither was John Williams and his brilliant music. The first 2/3rds of SUPERMAN were so good – that they left a lasting residual effect on the last third and the rest of the films – that this little boy, loved them.
There are many films of youth that you grow up and away from. I grew away from SUPERMAN 3 & 4. I grew up with SUPERMAN 1 & 2.
And finally today I saw a SUPERMAN film that is no fantasy – no careless product of wild imagination. No, my friends… this is the film I was hoping and dreaming for. A movie to reintroduce SUPERMAN to the world. Many would take this to mean that I was "predisposed" to love SUPERMAN RETURNS - actually - for me, that's not exactly true. I could have shown up today and found a basket of lies and false hopes. I could have not seen the film I saw. A film filled with love and beauty.
To not brush the original films of my childhood away like artifacts of a misguided time. Instead – what Singer, Dougherty and Harris have done – well… they too liked the first and second films. And they dared to honor them, but not be beholden. To acknowledge, while reinventing. And – not so much improving, but learning from the mistakes of an era.
They knew that the characterizations of Superman, Clark Kent and Jor-El… along with the Kent homestead and the amazingly cool design of Krypton were all dear. However, they wanted a harder Lex Luthor. A man who thought he was unbeatable, beaten, imprisoned and reduced in rank to a common convict. Years wasted. Infuriated, yet wholly awake to what could be accomplished once he got out in a Superman free world. All the while, wanting a rematch. Wanting to prove to himself that he was the better man. Wanting the world to acknowledge and be in awe of him as they were to the man in his flappy red cape.
When they cast Kal Penn and Parker Posey – I could hear Otis’ theme in my head. I was terrified. Parker is a tad much… just a tad, and she doesn’t have the screen time to hurt in any real way, this film. However, Lex’s thugs… are the useful sort of cutthroats and hooligans that Lex would employ. Men that would and do kill for him. Men that know when to leave the room. Lex’s ambition is huge in this film – and when he gets the upper hand with SUPERMAN – he does not for a second waste time monologue-ing. He decides to take those years out in raw brutality. No robots, no laser beams, just pure therapeutic whoop-ass.
Basically, Singer and crew made the threat as real as the heroics, the personal stories, the romance.
How did Brandon Routh do? He’s not Christopher Reeve, but honestly – he didn’t make me miss Christopher Reeve. He simply was Superman. The timbre of his voice in the title character is simply wonderful. Whether he’s talking to his adopted mom about what is bothering him, or to Lois about her articles and the needs and wants of her world… or to a sleeping child… he is majestic and human. Amazing, super and courageous. Is it just a straight Christopher Reeve imitation? I don’t believe so. To me… he’s playing the part of Superman. Superman doesn’t bullshit. Superman doesn’t mince words. He’s selective in his words. As Clark… I honestly feel this is not a clone of Reeve’s Clark. Is he “clumsy” – not very. He’s not spilling shit on everyone. He isn’t getting his coat stuck in women’s restroom doors. In this film… where he’s trying to catch up on 5 years of living. To just understand exactly what has happened in the world. And more importantly to him… the one person on the planet he felt a genuine connection with… he’s trying to re-establish a connection with her – and he is having trouble letting go. After all… he was “raised as a human being.”
Some may feel this part of the film is Soap Opera-y. However, to me – that’s Superman. Sure it’s about astonishing acts of heroism. Sure it’s about feats of enormous strength. However, it’s also about an individual unique amongst all upon Earth and very possibly the entire multi-verse who can hear everything and see everything. While he sees the great famines, crimes and acts of cruelty here on Earth – he also sees families, people in love… people he loves, who may not love him in return.
How is the action in the film? The entire Space Shuttle / 777 sequence is a jaw-dropper. The robbery stop is very cool. The runaway car sequence is delicious with that Action #1 ending. And the birth of a Kryptonite laced continent… well… it’s something amazing… and emotion. The action and threat upon the surface of that continent is something truly terrifying.
Bryan uses our memory for horrors to remind us just how wonderful having a hero like Superman would be. The saving of Lois, Richard White and the munchkin from a boat disaster. The way it’s handled is this. Supes was busy saving folks in Metropolis – but we’re not on Supes – we’re on the disaster on the boat from start to finish. How their own acts of heroism saves them right up to the point of total despair. Right to the point where you would honestly give yourself over to the fact that you were a goner. Where, there’s no more hopeful words of encouragement. The reality is, you’re dead, your fiancé is dead and your child is dead. At this moment – you face our reality. You’re dead. However, in a world with SUPERMAN – this is when the boat begins to be pulled up from the depths… Death turns to life.
Superman represents hope in hopelessness. Had the shuttle/777 incident happened in a Superman free world… Each and every passenger and member upon that space shuttle would have been dead. The entire United States would have been destroyed… along with Canada and Mexico and some of Europe.
This isn’t just some stick up. These are cataclysmic events. However, at the heart of it all is someone that cares and loves us mere mortals more than we could possibly understand. He’s the last of his kind. His world was destroyed. There was no Superman for Krypton.
As for the whole… “kid” storyline, I love it. Love it, because the kid works. He isn’t annoying, he’s just a 5 year old kid. He’s curious, not obnoxious. The kid is a bit of a geek, aces in science, evidently pretty darn good on the piano… but physically not up to par. Now since this is a spoiler review – I can talk about this…
I love that Superman was searching the universe for something like him, when all along he had a son growing back on Earth. Superman’s destiny is now intertwined with our own.
As for Kate Bosworth and James Marsden… they’re played straight. Kate’s LOIS is actually an investigative reporter. Watching her track down the source of the blackout was classic working the phones reporting. She may look young, but her actions as a reporter speak of her experience. The scene of her with Superman, she plays it as someone that was hurt by another’s actions. It feels genuine and the nerves are raw. And Marsden’s Richard White… well, you don’t root against him. He’s a very good guy, concerned about all the same things we’d be concerned about. I also love that Kate doesn’t want to just drop him for this… “fly by night Romeo”. She’s a mom now, she needs someone that’ll be there. That won’t just… take off at a moments notice for a trip to the other side of the universe. Simple things like that.
However, there’s a moment in SUPERMAN RETURNS that absolutely killed me. It’s my favorite scene in the film. After Superman has wound up in the hospital… and the whole world is freaking out. He literally just averted the greatest disaster to ever befall mankind, and done good all over the world. Outside the Hospital it is… as you would imagine if such a figure had been stricken. Lois and Jason (Tristan Lake Leabu) can get in, due to her very public relationship with Superman. But as the camera scans the crowd, it settles on Martha Kent (Eva Marie Saint) – the look on her face is distraught. Her child lies on a bed, dying? In pain? What? All she can do is stand as just another face in the crowd as her child, that nobody knows is her child, is “alone.” The scene is a killer. And one I had never really thought about. The concept really got me. Not only is traditional medicine of little to no use… due to his secret identity – those he protects with his identity… can’t be there for him.
I love that this is a personal story with huge developments personally and globally. At the end of this film, where we go from here is limited only by the imaginations of Singer and his writers. Just as BATMAN BEGINS relaunched an ailing Batman, SUPERMAN RETURNS sends Superman into the stratosphere.
The film is filled with love for more than just the previous movies, but the comics and even the classic George Reeves television show. This honors them all, while doing its own wonderful thing.
I see this one again on June 26th… and again on the 28th. I couldn’t be happier. As I left the theater – there were a few geeks leaving at the same time wearing Superman shirts and Superman memorabilia… “It was worth the wait.” They were talking about how they’ve been waiting for the SUPERMAN movie since 1990 when we first started hearing rumbles in the post-Burton BATMAN world that Warners wanted to kick start their Man of Steel. The lesson to be learned from the “SUPERMAN RETURNS” development is this. Waiting for talented people of passion and vision is worth every year of delays and restarts… of blown deals and costly explorations. At the end of it all, Warners did it right. Thank God. The Man of Steel is Back!
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and just didn't love it.... It is great for the first hour but it loses me for the last 45 minutes.... Routh is great though and all of the Donner beats it hits are a lot of fun
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Can't wait!
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yippee-ki yay mother fucker! I knew Singer and crew would pull off an amazing movie.
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Glad to see this movie works. Hopefully it does for me too. Cheers.
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i'm in tears right now
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Read the whole article, slowly taking your time, and then get to the bottom and realize you could have been first...? Oh Well, Go Superman!
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Superman sucks unless he's fighting doomsday, brainiac or darkseid.... luther blows
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I dont care if he made the most spectular movie ever made.. that rocked so hardcore that it won all the awards revolutionized special effects and acting and broke allllll records... he never fullfilled his promise he was giving us at the end of X2 on a kick ass phoenix saga story and for that he sucks
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Does Lois know that? He basically gave her a retro-active date rape drug by giving her the amnesia kiss after he fucked her. Maybe that's what God did to Mary.
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Jun 18, 2006 11:35:57 PM CDT
New Superman II will be awesome and then Singer will...
by just plain steve
leave to start the Swamp Thing franchise. And just like, he's gone.
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Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Harry, you made my day. I knew if you loved this movie, I would too. I was sooooo hoping you would love this movie! -
Seriously, nice review. Now I'm DEFINITELY looking forward to it. Hope this is the start of a great franchise run.
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they both look like the're about 17 years old
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SUPERMAN RETURNS...and it's good to have him back.
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and waiting, while watching on my Zen Vision: M, patiently in line.
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that chick is like lana. Parker Posey would have made a better lOis.
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who has never read a Superman comic and has not seen the orignals since I was a kid. I am a huge Batman fan. I've read a bunch of those comics and seen those flicks a million times, but Superma never really hit it off with me. That being said, I can't wait for this movie. The trailer looks really cool. I will not know if it is faithful, but I have a feeling that I'll love it.
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Singer was good for Xmen... but why when harry says he hit superman out the park are you all like YES YES YES! wooooo if harry likes it i'll like it attitudes? I dont get it... this is the guy who loved king kong...and the new star wars,... wake the hell up people
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Is it true the movie starts lke the 78 version? Where a kid opens a comic and we hear that somber williams music. but this time in the panels we see a comic book version of scenes from Superman 1 & 2??? I heard that somewhere and my excitement jumped to 11!
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Why couldn't they just wait another twenty years and let Kal-El Cage play Superman?
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Please stop using the word "delicious" to describe anything that isn't food. It just sounds so... fruity.
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...nothing better than watching the perpetual naysayers eat their words with a hefty side order of crow. It'll happen with Supes, and it'll happen with Indy too.
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of a positive review?
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Singer debunked that opening in an interview on Superherohype.com. It was either too long an opening, or too expensive to film. There is lots of stuff that may show up on the dvd.
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It hasn't be confirmed as to if he left X-men, or he was pushed off the project by Rothman. I'd say Rotman was to blame, for some reason the guy just never has shown much support for that franchise and filming X3-4 back to back as it was rumored, probably caused some friction between him and Bryan. Frankly, I think it was a piss poor turn of events. It basically fucked over two properties. a.We get a enjoyable, yet extrremely flawed X3, a X3 that could have been much more. And b.Smallville got the shaft. The series would have made a great spinoff to the bigscreen, but WB couldn't wait any longer. (idiots) DYR! indeed. MELTING OWL & UNSOCIABLE HAMMER
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Just kidding.
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This is a pretty simple question to answer. I have that "if harry likes it, I'll like it" attitude, because his reviews for about 4 years now and I've been in total agreement with them for about 90% of the time. At this point, it's safe to assume that I have very similar tastes. You know, that does happen sometime. People liking and/or appreciating the same things. It sounds crazy, I know.
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"Meesa luvs him" I think he said. So, you know, he's fulla horseshit a lot of the time. Most the reviews seem really familiar with the original films, fair enough as this is a "psuedo-sequel." However, what if one has never seen them? Is it clear enough on its own, without seeing them?
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on his account, then the guy is FUCKING RETARDED. As much as I love Superman, X-men is a zillion times deeper. Buuut, Superman does translate better to film, and X-men would make a better tv show. (Oh, and three properties got fucked over. I forgot Star Trek. Singer has mentioned that since way back before X1, and over then it looked like he would helm the relaunch, but with Supes sequels, that ain't happenin', now we are stuck with J.J.Abrams and I think we all remember his history with Supes. My god, X-men, Returns, Smallville, and Trek are so tied together, it's nuts!) MELTING OWL & UNSOCIABLE HAMMER
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He just expresses what he thinks. If you agree with that cool, if you dont, then don't take it personally when others do. Personally I was pumped to see this way before this review
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HEHEH "Swampthing" -- actually, he'd leave to do "Dazzler: The Movie."
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after seeing the clip of him growling with a wastebasket on his head. The kid ain't super, "special" is more like it. MELTING OWL & UNSOCIABLE HAMMER
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Parkey Posey would be perfect as Lois. Bosworth would be excellent as Lana. It's like the Spider-Man
movies someone mentioned here once. The actresses respectively
playing Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy
should have been switched. -
I would have no problem with them starting from scratch but aping Donner is unforgivable. Oh and Sherm, "TOM WELLING & MICHAEL ROSENBAUM".
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well, considering their personalities were basically switched I can live with it, even if Dundst has a giant moonface.
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I'm sure this movie will be decent. Haven't read a bad review yet. And i'm sure i'll probably think it's decent to when I see it. But I still think it could have been a lot better had Singer just restarted the franchise over and not had any ties to the original movies. That whole quasi-sequel to Supes 1 & 2 and pretend Supes 3 & 4 never happened is kind've a bullshit way to do this. As i've said before I would have prefered a movie based on the modern incarnation of Superman based on the past 20 or so years worth of continuity which we've all been familiar with not Donners outdated versions which are coming up on their 30th year anniversary. They were good and pretty faithful for their time but that was 30 years ago. Things have changed since then.
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C'mon, somebody had to say it. :D
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July 26, 28 or June? I'm sure it's a typo, but if not why would you have to wait so long to see this flick? I'm so jealous.
Shermdawg, the sad thing is Singer could have done X3 and supes, but Fox just had to be asses and rush the flick. What Ratner made wasn't as good as 1 and 2 and that's a damn shame. -
Harry is lying to himself just like most Bryant Singer ball-lickers.
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I too love the first 2/3 of Superman. Superman II I love dearly and with a passion. I can't wait to see Superman Returns. It should be on.
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Harry said he cried in the bathroom after watching Spider-man. Funny stuff.
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That thing had more misused dashes and ellispes than I care to calculate. Some of those things aren't even sentences. And before you jump on me about Harry's "style", there's a very good chance I've been coming here longer than you have. The dude's writing is getting increasignly WORSE.
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is just unforgivable and stupid. This shit is going to be lame and I won't be seeing it.
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Hopefully this movie won't disappoint.
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I like the pre-written review. I'm sure it was done months ago. So Harry doesn't mind that Supes is now a father but ripped even the slighest altering of the X men in X3.
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In a strange way the spoilers and the trailer dissections and the early reviews and the dissections of the early reviews and the fighting and nay saying and yeah saying are just about as much fun as actually seeing the product itself.
I think that's what I'm going to miss most about the absence of Star Wars movies.
Anyways, I can't wait to see Superman Returns and even if it stinks to high heaven (which I have faith it won't) I've at least been entertained by all of this mania before hand.
Long live Superman! -
I've posted that anagram in Superman Returns talkbacks for two months and nobody figured it out. Good job.
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X3 was indeed better. Virtually everything after Wolverine hit the hood of his truck (besides the three moments with Rogue) were craptastic. A lot of things irks me about that film. The horrible score, Halle Berry, the crap treatment of Sabretooth, Halle Berry, the retarded "Mutant Machine" plot, Halle Berry, the showdown at Liberty Island, Halle Berry...
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She is a beautiful woman. But how miscast was she in that part!!!?!?! I mean, it's laughable and shame on you hollywood. There's no regal air to Halle. She doesn't command respect the way Storm's character seemed to the comic. Angela Basset or someone with that kind of personality would've been a lot better.
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a glowing and completly biased review of superman with not one bad point..not even the kid i mean come on. this completly craps on the superman story and he even likes the casting..all of the casting even posey and bosworth the worst casting since jar jar binks..ooops he liked him as well i hear.i might have belived this wasnt a tainted review if he'd even found one bad point but apparently its all amazing, despite all the changes, which for someone who claims to be a superman geek i find hard to believe. so xmen changes a couple of of things and its the devil but this can be forgiven simply because its singer and he does no wrong...pah i say pah.
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I heard that he was forced out by some 'influencial' cast members because of 'creative differences' and on set fighting.. I wont mention thier names but her initials are HALLE BERRY... Anyone else hear that one?.. I watched Superman 1 & 2 on the weekend and the Effects on those were tremendous at the time, but laughable today, don't get me wrong there are scenes that looked fantastic (mostly long shots such as Supes flying up to the Eiffel tower etc..) but the rest is just so funny.. I think maybe George Lucas was probably onto something when he wanted Star Wars updated.. just sayin.
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This review was actually coherently written, and it had the hardly any weird analogies in it (I.E. it was like eating pussy with a rasberry on your cheek), so I trust the film is alright. Glad to know, and even though I know how everything about the movie, I'm still psyched to see it cause it does sound good.
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REWRITE:
This review was actually coherently written, and it didn't have any weird analogies in it (I.E. it was like eating pussy with a rasberry on your cheek), so I trust the film is alright. Glad to know, and even though I already know everything about the movie, I'm still psyched to see it. Sounds like a good flick.{Yes, I made fun of someones bad grammar with my own bad grammar. My bad} -
What a fucking heretic. I loved every single moment: the "turn back time" ending, the "can you read my mind" flight sequence and Otis. Otis was fucking hilarious, I don't care what anyone says.
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I have been waiting for a new Superman film since Superman IV - I have had my ticket for Superman Returns since they were available, and have been equally nervous and excited as June 28th approaches - thanks, Harry - I read just enough of your review to give me hope that Big Blue is back - thanks.
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I can tell what kind of film this is going to be (or aspires to be at least). The score isn't action heavy. I'd say only about a third of the tracks are action-centric, but I really dig some of the other tracks. They seem character and drama driven. The music for the Lois/Superman rooftop chat is a sweet little tune. John Williams' score is heavily sampled, especially in the beginning (I think the opening credits is a direct copy of the original score). I'm really enjoying listening to this music and I can't wait for the movie to open. My only real concern is that the soundtrack ends abruptly; there is no end credits music. Are we going to be subject to a Celine Dion song at the end? Gawd, I hope not!
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That's all, I have to say really...
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Oh no. You'll have gorgeous reprisals of Williams themes and the best of Ottman's work too. There is no POP SONG bullshit. Nowhere in this film. It's 100% class act. -------- As for some other concerns... The film does not open with the Comic book, child's voice, red curtain thing. Instead - there's text on the screen letting you know where we begin... then we see Krypton - an enormous pullback... a fucking awe-inspiring supernova - destruction of Krypton and a flight through the universe as those SUPERMAN letters and credits soar like they're supposed to with John Williams music.
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I'm with you on Otis, and the pre-Crisis Supes always used to do crazy shit like super-speeding around the Earth to turn back time. Ridiculous, yes, but it's true to the comics, in all honesty. I'm cool with the "Can You Read My Mind?" sequence until Kidder's voice-over kicks in - then I have to skip ahead a bit. That's the only part that makes me cringe. Still, it's a classic film - one a lot of people born in the time period since it came out don't seem to be able to put into proper context. And EVERY comic book super-hero movie that's come along since owes Superman a debt. Yeah, maybe the characterization of Luthor isn't as spiffy as what you might see on JLU or Smallvile. Hmm... maybe that's 'cause it was near-30-fucking YEARS ago!? If you recall, comic book Luthor was then running around in a disco-collared purple jumpsuit. The "evil businessman" era was still eight years away. Not exactly fair to compare against everything that's come since. Anyhow, in the Supes vs. X3 battle, X3 was better than I figured it would be (a worthy enough sequel), but I expect Superman Returns to actually be good, based on the early buzz here and elsewhere. Hope I'm not disappointed.
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Routh and Bosworth just look too young. Supes is mid thirties, not in his early 20's. And when did Lois have this kid? When she was 16?
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I wish it was on the soundtrack!
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for seeing this film AT LEAST 20 days before me. that dont sit well with the big dog and i will make it my mission to bludgeon this film from his memory. just kidding, great review harry!
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An actor's age in reality isn't necessarily the age in the film. Bosworth isn't acting like a "co-ed" in this film. She's acting as a late twenties professional reporter / mother. The way she handles her child, his Asthma medicine, his school work, her fiancee... her job... This isn't the effervescent bikini girl from BLUE CRUSH - But it's obvious that she takes care of herself. Brandon... Not for one second did I think of him as anything other than Clark Kent or Superman and even Kal-El. The scenes and clips they show in trailers and online of Lois focus on the glamour moments... not when she's doing her job or taking care of her kid. That's where you totally buy her as a mom of the proper age and as a reporter. When she's close to Superman - there is - an awesome Schoolgirl-ness that slowly leaks out - but atop that is the hurt and pain of being abandoned by the person she thought loved her.
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And from what I've seen she's just not "Lois". You can have her be a mom, and whatnot, but at least keep her somewhat similar to the other versions of her. Frankly, in the ad's/clip's she's f'n boring. And Lois is not supposed to be F'N BORING. I hate Erica Durance, but at least she comes across better as Lane than Bosworth does. (in what I've seen of Kate's performance thus far)
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I can picture her giving Kal one hell of a sermon over him leaving. And it would have been great.
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Although I don't hold the original in as much high regard as many on this board (The Hulk is the ultimage comic movie IMHO), I'm excited to see it. I love the fact that he took it from the end of the second film sort of. THe newer FX, the grander scale, all should make for a fun movie. I like the Superman of the Justice League Unlimited show the best, but that level of adventure can never be made outside of animation.
Oh, and I love the term MoonFace for KD. -
It completely works in context. As I've said - they're not showing her frustrated arguments with Perry about not wanting to do puff pieces on Superman anymore, and tracking what she feels is the bigger story that nobody was covering, because it wasn't sexy. And her disregarding her editorial assignment to go after the story regardless due to her own reporter instincts. THAT'S FUCKING LOIS LANE - and you haven't seen that in the trailers yet, because... that's what you see in the MOVIE.
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Of Christopher Reeve in his Superman costume? That would be a cool keepsake from your childhood.
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Maybe I'm still clinging on to the Christopher Reeves interpretation, he was so damn good!! Its just the image I've always had of Supes is he's at that age where he's reached a certain level of maturity which gave him that gravitas.
Maybe they should have just said that Louis had a REALLY good face lift and a boat load of botox!! -
Harry, if this supposedly occurs "after" Superman 1&2, are will the sequels to the current film "ignore" the earlier sequels (3&4)? Can't wait to see this one!!
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I'll believe it when I see it. Or at least when I read Moriarty's take.
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I not only have that, but my family was friendly with Kirk Alyn - the original SUPERMAN and I have a personalized still from him, when I met him as a child. Kirk was quite a character. Met him in Houston several times. And I still have my SUPERMAN VS THE ATOM MAN original one sheet and my Mylar SUPERMAN THE MOVIE poster, my SUPERMAN Animated Series Cookie Jar - and the Kryptonite that Lois Lane from Metropolis, Ill at the front desk of the Daily Planet gave me to build a lead box for. And at age 8-10 I found those lead weights that they use to balance wheels discarded on the road - and dad helped me make a lead box to keep the Kryptonite in. A few years ago I revisited my Kryptonite. Amazing what the memory of Childhood is. I remember them glowing in daylight and radiating energy. Today - they're colored rocks with glitter on em. Still amazing, cuz I remember when they glowed.
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I'm sure Harry really believes that he was stern and unforgiving, and that the movie worked on its own merit. But that's just not how your tastes work, Harry. I know the way you tick, and there was, realistically, little chance of you disliking it, as long as Singer did at least a passing job. Well, at least I know it's not a trainwreck, which is nice.
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You just have too much positive baggage to be trusted. Sorry.
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This film doesn't really ignore, or follow any of the previous films. It acknowledges a pre-existing history. Lois wrote a story entitled, "I Spent The Night With Superman" - Kitty says to Lex in the Fortress of Solitude that it's like he's been here before, Lex doesn't answer - instead concentrates on the Crystals in front of him, but from his face - you can see... he's been here before. The other reporters on the rescued plane seem to know Lois and Supes have a history. But ZOD isn't mentioned, neither is California falling into the sea. It's a history with few named specifics. The characters are more about what is happening now. They're not chained to their pasts, they remember it.
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In the original superman there is one shot which I feel is one of the best executed sentiment shots to date. It's the final shot of the leaving home sequence with Kent and his mom. First you have the dialogue in almost a single shot then the close ups: "remember son, always remember." And then it ends with the shot where they look north. Williams pops in that awesome sweeping melody and the camera slowly moves through the cornfield. Eventually climbing over there heads showing only the landscape. For me that is the best sequence in the entire Superman original. Showing the emotional layers of Supes in a way we homosapiens can relate to it. If 'Returns' evokes that sweeping beauty, which it most certainly will according to the trailers, Superman will indeed Return. :)
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. . . VARIETY, NEWSWEEK, and THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER must be biased as well since they too liked SUPERMAN RETURNS.
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Positive Luggage? Shit - Brett Ratner brought my father and I out to the RUSH HOUR premiere, introduced me to legends like Jackie Chan and Lalo Schifrin. In Sitges, Spain - Ratner introduced me to Dino DeLaurentis, Anthony Hopkins and Fiennes - and we sat down for a couple of hours of drinks and talks about HANNIBAL and SUPERMAN. All very enthusiastic with Ratner screaming out, "This is the most powerful man in hollywood!" -- I've never had that sort of interaction with Singer. We've met, but he's never invited me to a premiere. Never introduced me to his "stars" - never received a prop or any of that stuff from him. BUT - Singer is a fucking great director of 4 wonderful films that I love without hesitation in THE USUAL SUSPECTS, APT PUPIL, X2 and now SUPERMAN RETURNS. X-MEN was a success in that it got the tone right, but the film was underfinanced, thus sticking it with shoddy wirework and a limited effects budget. That said - I was relieved. My negativity towards Ratner and X3 came from the fact they started production without a strong script, without proper pre-production time and a rushed schedule that only a hack would agree to. X3 should be coming out in 2007, then when you realize that X3 and SUPERMAN RETURNS cost the same and you see every dime on SUPERMAN's screen - and you realize the rushed production on X3 was directly related into them wasting money that could have been better spent on a more fully developed story and effects sequences... with a realistic time-schedule for fx delivery... you'd begin to understand my frustration.
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Harry, unless I missed something you did not mension what Spaceys performance of Luthor was like. From the trailers its looks great and somewhat camper than previous attempts, just wondering your views on it.
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All the reviews indicate that Brandon Routh is more or less imitating Christopher Reeve portraying Superman rather than portaying Superman on his own merits. If this is truly the case, then this should be a bio-pic about Christopher Reeve and not some attempt to re-start the Supes franchise. And the sad news is...Routh is no Reeve.
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Couldnt agree more Sans. this whole movie is one big love fest to donner and reeve when whole film should have been made on the directors and writers own merits. I'm sure there are alot of people who havent seen the donner films(mad as it seems i know) but i see them feeling slightly diconnected to the whole thing. if singer can get away from this for the next one i'm sure it will be better. oh and get rid of the kid..what were they thinking.
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His collection consists of a autograph of Reeve, a personalized still of Alyn, Supes vs.Atom Man onesheet, Mylar Supes poster, Supes cookie jar, and some glittery rock in a lead box? BIG FREAKING DEAL! Longtime talkbackers know that I have the most cherished piece of Superman memorabilia of alltime! I'm married to Kristin Kre......aw forget it. *sniff* KRISTIN WHY WON'T YOU RETURN MY CALLS??? *sniff*
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I'm a little tired of reading the same review over and over from you Harry. This was almost identical to both ROTS and King Kong....
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Spacey's Lex is not extremely campy - actually - he's pretty fucking cold-blooded. Parker Posey is more camp, Lex is pissed off and down to business. As for BRANDON - I absolutely disagree with the people that see this as just an imitation of Reeve's superman. It isn't. There's some hallmarks - but this Superman is sadder, more alone... I'd say a bit cocky and sure of himself. As for his Clark - his Clark is more of a tool for finding out information. His Clark is distracted, not settled. Living out of suitcases and hasn't quite found his footing yet. But it is definately not old school bumbling Cary Grant pratfalls. Having said that - visually - there is a match. But to me, that has less to do with being a copy of Reeve - and more about the visual look of Superman and Clark Kent. As a Superman fan... he is familiar enough to be an old friend, yet different enough to be like an old friend that went away and came back with 5 years of experiences that shook him and changed who he is.
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Was Harry ever little?
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No one has said anything about the flying yet. Is it totally believeable and seamless? I know there seems to be a problem incorporating the live action with CG. King Kong is a shining example of it. Bronto Stampeed. Episode III, Anakin and ObiWan fighting on those lava platforms, etc...
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...so why not wait until you do before verbally smashing it to pieces?! Oh and Harry - cheers mate, your review has made me want to see it even more! if that was possible. One question though: is there actually a scene underwater? On the official plot synopsis, it mentions the whole "..to the deepest depths of the ocean" or something like that! Is it the scene with marsten and the helicopter? Nobody had said anything about that scene at all. Was it cut?
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http://tinyurl.com/p54eh http://tinyurl.com/qftp2 http://tinyurl.com/jqn2r These are not just positive reviews, but unabashed praise of the highest order. So cut Harry a break, realize how much he loves this character, and get off your conspiracy wagon.
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Jesus, dude, get outside and take in some fresh air. There's more to life than sitting and watching the same film over and over again.
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All the reviews indicate that Brandon Routh is more or less imitating Christopher Reeve portraying Superman rather than portaying Superman on his own merits. If this is truly the case, then this should be a bio-pic about Christopher Reeve and not some attempt to re-start the Supes franchise. And the sad news is...Routh is no Reeve.
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As that was a brilliant film that was highly energetic and knew exactly what it was. It entertained. Even though it was totally Megaman retarded.
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I wonder if Singer could have made sense of the garbage that I saw on the screen. Ratner certainly raped the franchise.
I'm looking forward to Superman but I hope Singer doesn't gay it up too much. -
''I love the original SUPERMAN
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Available when they were casting for Lois? Her look in "The Notebook" was totally Lois Lane. And she can act circles around Bosworth. Everytime I see Bosworth I think of Dawson Leery's description of her in "Rules of Attraction" and remember how it was spot on. Pretty girl, but boring.
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Brett Ratner DID NOT write X3. He came aboard the project at the last minute. Sure he ain't the greatest director, sure he comes off as a dick, but X3 would have dissapointed y'all no matter who took over for Singer. Well, I shouldn't say took over, because the X3 we got was not Singer's vision. If you really wanna blame someone for raping X-men, blame Tom Rothman.
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You can always tell when Harry's been truly co-opted. He goes out of the way to try and discredit what other reviews say that can be taken as shitty by the fanboys...your depiction of Luthor is a lie, Harry. You know it's too damn silly, just like Bosworth is not up to snuff...I don't even want to get into the fuckin "Superman is soap opera-y" crap, when you can't stand Smallville and have repeatedly said Dini/Timm was the best adaptation of Superman ever. Total Hypocriscy.
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... of some sort through the ages.
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Does it work well with this film?
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I fully expect in his review here to include about 23 boring longwinded opening paragraphs where he bloody ends up reviewing the original Superman film before he finally gets to the point, and this normally knackers me right out that I just can't be arsed to read the actual review of the SR movie, but when I finally did get to the review, I didn't think that I would be confronted one that feels like he's not even talking about SR at all, regardless of the opener. He just seems to be bored whilst typing this, not just waffling, but suprisingly, gone is his normal enthusiasm that you normally can count on. Not just taking paragraphs to get to the point, but it feels like he's looking out the window as he is writing everything here. One wonders if her really liked this film, his review is written in such an 'uninterested' way. "Don't like his/my reviews Cpt Kirks 2pay? Don't read them!" Don't worry, I more likely won't. This is like the final nail in the coffin of me not reading Harry's stuff.
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well if anything at least its clear why this Trick cost a nearly 500 million dollars.. 40% of it was for buying the press. wont matter when thta other flick drops.
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This was a GREAT review, brining past experience with a legendary movie in focus against the new and heartfelt rebirth of an icon.
Thank you for making a person grit thier teeth that much longer for the public release date.
This review below btw... sucks.
http://www.moviecitynews.com/columnists/poland/2006/060615.html -
When are you going to change the animation again? I'm getting tired of seeing Jack Black have sex with your face everytime I load the site.
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Is the fact that Clark and Superman both show back up at the same time addressed in the film other than a "Could it be? Naaaahh" moment? Now most people don't get the identity thing, they just say "lol glasses", but to me the reason Superman's identity works is because he operates on the assumption of not having a secret ID. No one thnks Superman has a normal identity, they think he is just Superman, and that he is Superman all the time, and when he's done for the day goes back to his Superhome. And that's the image he portrays. But this movie if it is a follow up to the first two seems to be based more on the silver age, where people actually believed Superman had a normal identity which they often tried to expose. So in that mind frame, Clark and Superman showing up at the same time after a five year absence seems a little too convenient.
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A ridiculously well reviewed film that is overrated, long and boring, with moments of good stuff thrown into the nearly 3 hour running time. It will alienate the dudes who pay to see Superman save the world only to find him stuck in a 2 and a half hour episode of As The World Turns. This film will have a huge opening day then as the weekend goes on, declines leading to an underwhelming take that is lower than the studio's initial projections. Start the Monday Morning hype and spin campaign by Warners touting the huge World Wide take to ignore how it's not tracking well in North America. We have seen this before. Hollywood, stop making comic adaptations using the Titanic filmmaking model. Titanic was a fluke, a moment in time that will NOT happen again. Give the fans summer movie action. The real fans don't want to see a romance starring Superman.
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That being said good review and it made me want to see the movie a little bit more.
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Harry writes a review of superman that has absolutely no flaws in it. its all bad about X3 and all good for superman. you really got something special from singer dont ya harry. i really dont care about your childhood either. just get to the point in atleast 1 or 2 paragraphs not 6.
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Did you ever consider that the piano could be a player piano, and that at the time of being used to kill a guy it was playing "Yakkity Sax", or possibly "Maple Leaf Rag"? THAT is how someone could praise it. Would you not do the same thing under the circumstances.
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I enjoy how in every other comic book movie, people on this site (Knowles, you know I'm talking to you) bitch and moan about how they hate how the movie doesn't follow comic book continuity to a tee.
Then, Supeeman comes out and has it set up where Superman has a child, and no one cares.
What kind of double standard is this? To this day, Harry bitches that there were no original costumes in the Xmen movies, but Superman having a son is okay with him? -
Your review is appreciated. At least by a few of us here. Sledgerhammer5050 said he had tears in his eyes after reading the review and I echo that sentiment. I had an opportunity to watch The History of Superman on A&E this weekend and had a blast reliving some of the great moments in Supes history. And when they got to the part where Christopher Reeve was introduced, I won't lie, I cried big old crocodile tears. That big beautiful smile he throws at us at the very end of Superman I was an awesome moment. I was stoked to see this before reading a single review for SR and now after reading nothing but glowing reviews (Save for the hater bullshit that's peppered throughout these TB's)I am looking more forward to this movie than ever. Thanks again for the review Harry.
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In the script yes Clark's 'coverup' was addressed. It's pretty cheesy, but it's a groan/laugh thing. Don't know if it's still there though as none of the reviews mentioned it. Then again, I don't remember him quoting the 'safest way to travel' thing from the first movie either.
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that's great to hear mr. knowles. nice to see DC coming back to the top after Marvel had given them the finger for so long
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lol FETT... Harry *loved it* what a surprise. And I think there is a double standard that X3 is bashed soundly for taking big liberties but this isn't. Just saying is all.
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wolack22, what are you afraid of? Why do you champion the cause of negetivity? What if it does suck? why are you such a fuck face? why are you a waste of air? Have you been so molested in the basement of your moms home that there is no hope of anything good? Damn you and your kind are sad. Of course the part about Harry liking Phantom Manace is true... too true but I choose to trust him here. So any ways Haters it would seem the "Yays" have it. Back to your sad sad sad lil' exsistance. "BEWARE THE DARK SIDE OF...LOSERS"!
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Jun 19, 2006 11:32:51 AM CDT
At first I thought Pirates 2 would be the biggest ...
by r.c. the "wise"
Now, I'm convinced that Superman will OWN the Summer and year's box office.
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more telling of the degree how american male has been sissyfied. but youre blind to this because you arent men. you are wusses. you need to go to manlaws.com and get deprogrammed. titanic made the lesser producers re-tailor blockbusters for the female mind. Bryan said this was a chickflick, is that not enough? fortunately there wont be enough women,queers, sissies or fixed talkbacks to save this puppy from drowning in POTC2's undertow, you bunch of fawning eyeliner wearing emo wimps.
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I cannot wait for this Flick...I haven't been this excited to see a movie since Phantom Menace. Yeah we all know how that turned out, yet the eagerness, the anticipation is so visceral, so tangible. I'm STOKED!
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And it definitely had it's flaws. But I have always been a huge Superman fan, and that was the best anyone had ever done bringing the character to the screen with some semblence of justice. Technology has finally caught up with the character, however, and so I go into this movie with high expectations that THIS will be the definitive Superman movie I have always dreamed about.
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i don't like supes very much in comparison to other superheroes we have on the big screen today (the x-men, batman, spiderman, i even think daredevil is more interesting). But i really enjoy the smallville series, mostly because everything i hate about superman is not present. i guess my deal with supes is that he's just too powerful. he's could seriously kick all fifty of the x-men's collective butt even with spidey and the fantastic four backing them up. sure he's allergic to kryptonite thing going for him and everyone in the metropolis has a piece or the stuff. but still, that gets old. and the character is built on such campy themes. for instance, supes hides his identity merely with glasses. i just don't see the appeal beyond being an icon. he is a symbol of several things. he is THE superhero. everyone knows superman. he also represents a simpler time. but so is mickey mouse and felix the cat. i don't want to watch a movie about them. and singer is directing this film. i don't care alot for his take on the x-men (which was made more apparent by the appearance of X3. not that it was better, but that it did have somethings the others lacked, such as the team aspect of the comics and the knock-out drag-out team battles). but i don't see those problems being present in superman. and singer makes good movies. i just don't think he GOT the x-men. but i know he liked the original superman films. and they got superman right. so i have faith that singer will churn out a great film with this. but i just have never seen the appeal of a character like clark kent, when compared to a complex character like bruce wayne or peter parker or bruce banner. any reservations i have about this film have not been silenced by HARRY. he said he's been anticipating this one. and after his "anticipation" and "adoration" of last years KONG, i just can't take his reviews seriously.
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Bring on Pirates, that's the big movie of this summer.
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And thought it was a great homage to Donner. I imagine Richard is feeling like he just made another film without lifting a finger - and I mean that in a good way...
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in the Superman poster title, like they use in the comic books. So far, that is my only complaint about the promo material. However, that title font is as classic as the "S" shield, and so I think it's a big issue.
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Hm. So I guess Lois has the uterus of an Amazon Warrior eh? I suspect that plot point alone will do more to turn off some fanboys that Kate Bosworth's forehead ever could...
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Superman is vastly powerful, but in his world there are PLENTY of entities just as, if not more, powerful than he is who he routinely has to face. Not every mystery can be solved with X-ray vision and super-hearing, and not every person can be saved. He does his best, has to make tough decisions, and usually comes out on top not because of his brawn, but because of his brain. You sound like you've never read a Superman comic, and have only seen possibly the movie and some episodes of Smallville. Superman doesn't parade around in glasses to hide his identity. He parades around in glasses because he likes it. He likes being Clark, and he likes being human, but he knows he can never truly be human. That's what seperates his dual identity from most.
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let me get this straight -- he's invulnerable, hes indestructable, he's perfect, he has no personal problems whatsoever, and the only thing that can hurt him is a green rock from outter space? So, basically, he's God? Um. Wow. I give up God, you win! I was going to rob this bank until God showed up. (Unless i find one of those green rocks! Then God is toast!) Every single comic should start and end like that -- a buncha bad guys doing bad stuff and then God shows up so they all give up. Face it: Superman is, was, and ever shall be incredibly lame; theres nothing interesting or compelling about a guy who is impervious to harm, can do anything he wants, has no moral ambiguity, can't be harmed (cept by the green rock from outter space) and always does what is right all the time no matter what. In short: Superman is boring. BORING.
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But Jason Lee's character doesn't know what he's talking about in Mallrats. Superman has absolute control over his powers in adulthood. He could safely have sex with Lois if he so desired. The idea of his "supersperm" shooting out like a shotgun and flying around town, while hilarious, is so fucking juvenile I can't believe anyone takes it seriously. Secondly, inside of a womb there is no yellow sunlight at all. Just because you get a suntan on your stomach doesn't bring the tan to the womb. Lois's cells would not metabolize sunlight and give it to the baby. Furthermore kryptonian powers develop pretty slowly, so there wouldn't be much danger in birth. It seems to me Lois being able to have a child is a hell of a lot more plausible then all of the "LOL kick out the womb," or "Sperm shtguns out her spine" retardation.
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You know NOTHING about Superman and it's obvious! He is not invulnerable to harm at all, and he's susceptible to a lot more than green rock. In fact he's actually not that weak against the green rock so much anymore. Off the top of my head I could name plenty of people that could give him a hell of a fight or even beat him without Kryptonite or magic or a red sun: Martian Manhunter, Mongol, Doomsday, Darkseid, Metallo, Green Lantern(any), Captain Marvel, Parasite, Manchester Black, Black Adam, Amazo, Kalibak, Lobo, Brainiac, the list goes on. He's not a god, and he can be taken down. Of course a person like you who has seen nothing but the movies will think all he ever does is fight a skinny bald man, and can only be defeated by "plot device a". Well, a lot has frikkin changed since 1978.
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Damn you Harry, now the next week is going to be even more painful to wait through :) I have my tickets pre-ordered for a 10pm showing on the 27th, my fiancee is watching the Donner flicks for the first time so I can enjoy the movie and not be asked a billions questions until AFTER the movie, and I'm way too stoked that it's ACTUALLY, FINALLY going to be here! THX + DLP = pure movie viewing goodness...
Superman fanboy and proud of it. -
But the question is, will the movie-verse ever use them?
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although there are a lot of 'monkeys' on the site I am and have only ever been brycemonkey. I'm almost tempted to change my handle but at the same time think it appropriate that there is such a large number of monkeys bashing keyboards. Collected works of Shakespere here we come...
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Because the movies will continue to be made by people like Singer, or other big hollywood types who have never heard of those enemies, and thus don't want to use them. Lex Luthor is a good enemy of Superman, but most people seem to think he's the only one. And Lex is formidable for reasons that are, at best, difficult to translate to film.
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I think I'll like this flick. It seems that some people around here seem to think if a movie based on something you're a fan of needs to be the most amazing film you've ever seen and must be the greatest adaptation of the character ever. It's asking a bit too much. I like the fact that Luthor seems more dangerous. I want to see new-fangled flying/superpower special effects. The biggest problem I'll have is the kid. Little kids in these kinds of movies are almost always a problem. And we're stuck with this kid, even in sequels. He's not a character that can be forgotten, cuz he's the son of the hero and heroine. I would have prefered it was less of a love letter to Donner's movies and it just included nods to them. After all these years, a "restart" is ok. But, I'll be there. And people who think Superman's "a boring character", stop being that cynical, angry geek that wants all stories about flying people in spandex to be "dark"... "Ooh, it's dark. It's full of violence and shadows and blah blah blah..." It's a comic book. He's a hero. Have some fun, people.
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thanks for the review man, due to World Cup we will only see this movie mid july in brazil, so is nice to see someone just as crazy for supes as I am with such a positive review. I don
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Let all the fanboys who hide in their bedrooms and behind computers be cynical, whiny and worse. You won't take away my rays of light. All my son, just shy of 4, talks about right now, is the new Superman movie (though he loves Batman too, Spider-Men, X-Men and more). This review brought some happy little tears as I can't wait to take my little super-hero. I almost got into it last year with friends of my sister-and-brother-in-law, who think super-heroes, action figures are all bad for kids (they have a snotty 8-year-old who has no joy in her life, just education). The World Needs Heroes. We have them - the honest cops, brave firemen and other rescue workers and yes, some in our military, too. But we also need those heroic ideals, from a Dark Knight who loathes guns to a Man of Steel. Thanks again for that review. And to all those nay-sayers who don't have Children or a vision of hope for the future, just retreat to your rooms and wank off to a Jim Lee drawing of Catwoman or Supergirl -- that's all you are all good for.
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Jun 19, 2006 1:40:37 PM CDT
Anyone who cries at a review, or at a superhero movie
by engineer_at_peac
seriously needs to fucking grow a pair.
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Harry sure does make it hard not to laugh out loud when he writes his stuff - ''Seeing the poster and just laying there on my belly looking at it'', ''And today I saw a Superman film that is no fantasy'' ??? What is it then if it aint that? and please stop using the word Delicious, man you crack me up!
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since both are God, and both are omnipotent, who would win? yes, Jesus did get killed by the Romans, but that was because he let them in order to fulfill the prophecy of The Chosen One; if he was allowed to use his superpowers, he would have gotten away. So... who would win in a fight? JESUS or SUPERMAN???
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(nt)
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I don't know if they EVER touch on this or not, maybe the Prequel comic #4 will - but do we ever find out if Lois knows all along the kid is his? Now, I know this is a "vague" sequel but does she remember being with Superman at all or does she just wake-up pregnant one day and just FIGURE the kid is his. Think about it...he gives her the "amnesia" (in S: II) about them ever being together and how he's really Clark. In the meantime, he leaves. She's feeling sickly and thinks it's the flu or something only to find out she's pregnant and she has no memory of how she got that way. Is this being addressed at all?
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Apparently she had rebound sex with Cyclops, and that blossomed into a relationship, and they probably assumed the kid was his.
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I think he has better superpowers than Jesus. Flying is much better than walking on water and running fast and shit is way better than loaves and fishes but God just might tip it in favour of the Jew coz Marlon Brando is all fat and dead now so who knows?
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Having also seen Superman Returns, I honestly enjoyed X3 a LOT more than Supes. Even though there were massive liberties taken with characters, events, and such, it felt alot more like the comics than what I got from Superman. Superman felt too much like a one-night stand TV drama where the college kid never realized his "summer score" would have life long reprocussions. The only real difference that separates this movie from an Lifetime Original Movie is the fact the "college kid" wears little red boy-cut panties and flies.
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Supes just needs to look at a ladies womb to get her preggers, a bit like mary. There's no way he'd have unprotected sex with a human coz hes an alien, let alone even try it because his Super ejaculum would blast Lois like a shotgun!
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An outsider who's misunderstood, but incredibly powerful; who loves like a man but lives like a god; who struggles with both the mundane and the fantastic; who cares. Does it have giant robots? Does it have pirates? Does it have pirates fighting giant robots? All the pathos in the world still can't beat a little robot-on-pirate action. And a little goes a long way. Especially if the robot kicks the pirate, because robots are nature's kickers, and pirates and nature's superballs, and at the right angle a robot could probably send a pirate a good hundred yards. In conclusion, I'll see this because of Bryan Singer, but so far it all seems a little tired.
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Does he also need an adamantium toilet for whenever he needs to take a piss, or does he just go into space for that?
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This movie could be a big pile of poo and he would still love it.
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Nice. Yes! Are there Giant Robots? I'll settle for robots...
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Can't say I'm sorry to see you go. I wonder if he will regenerate into another crazy TBer...
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And I was banned for some reason but I have no idea why. My only guess was maybe for posting in the Doom review "How much are they paying you Harry?", but hell, I was joking.
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is this true or you yankin' my chain? don't tease me with such wonderous news. please tell me how the numb skull got himself banned?
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all evidence of his existence has been obliterated but the other posts suggest his usual Nazi style went too far...
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If they made a red post saying "x is BANNED. Reason: He did this" that would be great, help confirm who was banned, and people could check back and see why.
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is that so he can fit thru doorways and get into his clothing?
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Thanks bub, and Engineer_at_peac, I agree that would be a good idea.
BEWARE THE DARK SIDE OF... IT NOT A TUMOR. -
http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=4412
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So when you unleash the bacon-grease related bannings, remember that thsoe dudes are over there, and I'm off over somewhere else, and while not optimistic about Superman Returns at all, I hope it is a good film.
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now that is some funny shit. My hands are mercifully clean...
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For the "POTC will own this movie!" sorts of comment, I can never understand why people want to compare movie box office like some damn distributor. Since when do ticket sales equal quality? Why champion the cause of some movie like you'll be vindicated if "your movie" does better? I saw X-Men, and I'll see Superman and then I'll see Pirates. I gotta like one and not the other? Am I required to see only one movie per three months? Ah, I must just be irritable today.
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whether they like it or not.
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Well, that was a funny, and not at all unexpected turn of events. Now we can return to talking about the powers of Clark Kent's shotgun cock.
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I have to say that it's probably about time. His "AICN/Doc Paz Multi-username/Zionist Conspiracy" schtick ran out of gas a LONG time ago. But it looks like he finally knocked himself out with his anti-semitic rants in the Trade Center/POTC2 TalkBacks. Brilliant! Way to go, homewrecker! -- Now, if only they would do something about this Galerie Chappe guy. What a nimrod. ;^)
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but just yesterday in the WTC thread it was said he was killed by docpazuzu, a "confirmed zionist agent", which solidifies his point, dont you think? im just sayin'.
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Oh well, he did see the writing on the wall. That is very bizarre when the posts just go like that... Anyway, hurrah Superman! And other movies. (I'm off before I'm erased from the timeline like some sort of banned Star Trek weapon...)
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I can't believe the reviews. Outside of David "Phantom of the Opera will win best picture" Poland, the critics are absolutely drooling over this thing.
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It was purely ridiculous and campy. Hackman was funny, but he was more of comic relief than a supervillian. Clark Kent was a clumsy idiot. And why does everybody seem to forget that SUPERMAN WENT BACK IN TIME BY FLYING AROUND THE WORLD REALLY FAST A WHOLE BUNCH OF TIMES. It's one of the stupidest, corniest things I've ever seen in a movie. Give me something new, not a fucking rehash of something that was never good in the first place.
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really.. why is that..
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.....this movie makes even less and less sense the more that anyone tries to explain its inexplicable and demented storyline vis-a-vis its connecttion to comicbook Canon and Donner's movies. I need Harry or ny of you slobbering fanboys to explain this to me. If, as Harry claims ( as did Singer, I believe), this movie isn't a straight sequel to Superman 1 and 2 ( of course, if they're not going to touch or mentioned Zod, and everything else that happened in Supes II outside his one-night stand with Lois, then it can't be, right?), then do they bother explaining in this movie how exactly Lois gets impregnated by Superman (before he absconds his parental duties: don't even get me started on the world's most powerful Superhero forgetting to use protection, PROTECTION!!!!), and then completely forgets about it, or do they just gloss over it and assume that the audience will somehow extrapolate it all from a movie made over a quarter of a century ago that this one's makers are bending over backwards trying not to acknowledge as a direct prequel to their movie? You can't just cherry-pick aspects of Donner's movies that work great for setting up the story to your "stand-alone" movie and then not bother explaining how everything that is, came to be in your movie. You ever wonder why Comic-book writers went to great pains to try to avoid Lois getting pregnant and having a kid with Superman in this timeline, in all the time since Donner's movies, hell even since Schuster ans Siegel first drew him up? And what makes Singer think he'll successfully pull this off without seriously crippling the franchise. You don't just kill off, or "disappear" children in Superhero movies, particularly those whose parents are the hero in question. And if you think they are comfortably going to make decent sequels to this movie without either giving the kid a larger and consequently "forced" role or somehow "killing" his character off, then you are deluding yourself. And don't even get me started on the age thing. I know no one wants to hear of it, but when you guys keep bringing it up yourselves then questions will inevitably arise. Harry claims that in this movie Lois is a late twenties-ish reporter and "young" mother; even allowing for that magnitude of suspension of belief, (given the age and look of the actress playing her, that is) what you're asking your audience to believe is that Clark Kent, sorry, Superman, knocked her up when she was in her early twenties ( i.e. 21, 22, or latest 23). Now how many established and well-recognized reporters, print or otherwise; how many 21 year-old Chritanne Amanpours, 23 year-old Barbara Walters or 21 year-old any-female reporters , do you know out there well-established and recognized in the real world, let alone bizarro-Singer world? Granted Lois Lane is not as big a brand name in the comics as the examples I gave, but one thing that is boundlessly clear in the comics and was clear from Donner's movies is the fact that she was relatively well-established in the journalism circles of Metropolis, hence the reason the Schuster and Siegel (and consequently a host of generation of comicbook writers after them along with Donner) staged Superman, Clark and Lois in a timeline that placed them in their early thirties, age-wise: it juswt makes sense from a whole variety of stand-points. There's a reason these things get done, and when you dick around with them as Singer has, you irrevocably ruin the franchise ala Superman 3 and 4. But I know, I know, I'm overthinking this right? And you're not supposed to think. I should just shut down my mind and ignore over twenty years of well-crafted comic-book Lore and canon just because this is the first movie in a long time, and sing hossanas even when the Emperor is surely naked, right? Something evil this way comes, and it sure ain't Lex "Dr. Evil-Lite" Luthor........
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i'm willing to bet that Singer does a good job; good enough to justify a DVD rental in November. i just hope i can get past the weeping fanboys to the counter without laughing too hard. no, but i'm seriously, i totally get the whole weepy eyed thing; as an aging gen-xer living in a fallen world of dead dreams, I often get choked up by such things; the nostaligia and the sincere longing for a better world thats never going to come (or is long gone). I totally understand; I just don't transfer those emotions to anything as lame as Superman... but i empathize, I really do...
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quoted re Supes, anyhow:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5095436.stm -
That's pretty funny. He returns after several years' absence and gets banned again within three days. How did this happen? Sure, Fett was mostly annoying back in the day, but he doesn't deserve the same treatment as homewrecker. There are plenty of people a lot more obnoxious than Fett.
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...and homewrecker won't be back because I killed him. I killed MinasTirithII as well.
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Damn, banned again?! That was quick. Shortest comeback ever?
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I just finished Joe Ezsterhas's autobigraphy and he gets a mention in it for his positive review of An Alan Smithee Film. Doc, rather bizarrely it has to do with bacon grease... It's alluded to in a couple of posts which I thought were vaguley amusing (although fairly insulting to Harry's integreity).
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you're overthinking this. And you're not supposed to think. You should just shut down your mind and ignore over twenty years of well-crafted comic-book lore and canon just because this is the first movie in a long time, and IT LOOKS FUCKING FANTASTIC. The only thing I agree with you about is the cast's age, and even that I'm waiting till I've seen the movie to actually pass judgment upon. In the end, 8 or 9 nerds will come out of this with continuity and/or costume color gripes, the rest of the world will not care and enjoy the damn thing tremendously. Why do you so badly want to be disappointed?
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Zombie, you haven't provided any valid reasons why Superman is lame. You say it's because "He is God and invincible and nothing is a challenege except for plot device K". Well guess what, that isn't true at all. There's not an ounce of truth to it.
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the way youve managed to remain the king here of AICN,lording over everyone here for so long.. i mean how do you do it?
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I'm inclined to say by eating vegetables every day and exercising and by not posting racist, homophobic or otherwise prejudiced messages. However, I'm sure you have another amusingly sinister reason you're dying to share.
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that you "prefer the freshly spilled blood of christian and muslim children" ? i cant believe you got away with that.. oh well. youre the man..
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I don't so badly want to be disapponted. I already am, by the selected story-arc and changes to the over-all storyline. It might be because they quite simple to not make any coherent sense whatsoever with the overall spirit of the Superman universe. I'm willing to suspend my belief for certain things ( such as a man, or alien, flying, punching through walls; hell even an apparently hotshot reporter so stupid she can't tell the different between a guy with and without his glasses- I'll buy even that!!!) but asking me to ascribe to mental decripitude or just plain out-and-out stupidity, just because a fanboy director wants to ingratiate his ego and craft a whole new irrational canon simply because he was lucky enough to get to do it with todays technology and CG capabilities, is, I'm afraid, asking too much of my logical fuculties. But that's just me: I do enjoy using my brain for just a bit more than just a paperweight or counterbalance to my feet.
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just biding my time Doc...just biding my time...when you least expect it. There will be a new ruler to the throne and his name is mine. BEWARE THE DARK SIDE OF THE...I LIKE PINK VERY MUCH LOIS"
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now thats gotta be the worst mutant power EVAH!; the power to be disappointed by things you haven't even experienced yet! man, that must suck... why bother breathing; the next one only gets you that much closer to death; the final disappointment. that being said, I reckon I'll rather like Superman given Singer's direction; I just don't think he'll change my mind that Superman is the lamest superhero ever; but I bet he'll make a good story out of it. (i'd also be willing to accept the Superman's Shotgun Cock theory, but i think the real reason he can't bang Lois is that he'd rather be banging Lex; and by Superman I mean Singer, and by Lex I mean Kevin Spacey. They make such a cute couple those two.)
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why do you think you are one of the very few amongst all of us comic lovin geekdom to feel such? I think your brain may be better suited for said paper weight. Tool says what? BEWARE THE POWER OF THE DARK...THIS IS WHY SUPERMAN WORKS ALONE (forgive crappy movie ref)
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Is this your first day at AICN?
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I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Profit. Rachel McAdams would have been superb as Lois Lane. From the trailers, 11 or so clips and reviews I've seen, she possesses none of the qualities that make Lois a dame. Say what you will about Margot Kidder, but she was perfect in the role and defined it as one of the most memorable. The role requires wit, charm, sass, sweetness and love. Kate Bosworth may be beautiful, but she doesn't have the range or the temerity to play the iconic Lois Lane. Rachel McAdams would have been a far more interesting actress, and one who would have filled Margot's high-heels.
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i mean, seriously, she was just butt ugly; I loved how Donner tried to cover it up with softfocus, though; that lens must've been dripping with vaseline. hilarious! and she was like 85 years olde too.
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is it just me or does anyone else have some polarity to these two DC big guns? Personally I've always been drawn more to Batman as he appealed more to the borderline psycho in me...
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That shit is so personal with him. Sure X3 wasn`t X2 but dammit you must not be a fan if you don`t get affected by Wolverine killing Jean. Magneto was also fabulous playing with the bridge.
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RE:"why do you think you are one of the very few amongst all of us comic lovin geekdom to feel such?" Possibly because I'm one of the few, still willing to use said "Paper weight" for actual thoughtand reasoning, as opposed to the counter-balance that's seemingly occupying the space between your ears, right behind your eyes. Possibly.......you think? (ooops, sorry, "you" and "think" in the same sentence; what am I THINKING - my 'paper-weight'must be getting heavy.)
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You are just a sad creature! and full of ego. your "paper weight" is just taking up space that could other wise be used to store those naked pic of your mom that you currently have stashed under your mattress!!! The funny thing is you'll go see this movie. Tool!
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Listening to the score now, and DAMN if that opening track doesn't get you psyched for this movie NOTHING will. Hearing the classic themes blasting out is enough to bring a tear to your eye. You know how everyone's just sick of the Star Wars main themes (well I am) well it was like the opposite listening to this. It was surging through me like a vibrator to a whore! Anyhow...the rest of the score sounds like X2 but more epic.
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Wooow, the 'Mom' joke. That quick, huh. Most intelligent people usually wait until they have nothing left in the tank; until they've completely exhausted their logical faculties, before reaching for the "Mom" joke. That was quick. But then again, for you that's not saying much, nor should it be surprising to anyone. Nice record though. Next time, I would suggest that you try lasting more than 2 posts before reaching for the 'Mom' joke; that way, you might just stand a chance of passing off as having grade-school level reasoning capacity.
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it's intersting how the interaction of online film blogging changes the style film reviews are written: after the notorious -already a ritual- description of his passion of all things superman (500 words) comes the legitimation and "defense in advance" speech of how much he doesn't want to bash the donner flick (750 words). don't get me wrong, the aicn reviewing philosophy is certainly why i got stuck here in the first place. the beginning of the review though reads like an in advance response to all potential talk back critic supposedly ahead... funny and way nervherding but kind of understandable when you consider the fact that he really wants to convince us because he's so convinced himself, which i firmly believe. i basically like and often love harry's reviews but some more obviously drawn degrees of joy, passion and cheer would be helpful to really give a movie a more credible judgement.
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comic book adaptions ever... it really could have been something... but the combined effort of singer, ratner, fox, and halle berry's shitty acting tore it down. It could have been the superman for those of us who preferred marvel comics over D.C. in our childhood...X-men were marvel's damn justice league for crying out loud, and fox made it a mockery... They'll never remake the x-men in our lifetime and it's a god damn shame... sure we'll get wolverine movies but i want a real phoenix saga, and a real sentinal saga (with master mold), i want gambit, jubilee, ROGUE @#$%ing flying and bashing shit, bishop, cable, hellfire club, omega red... or anything remotely awesome. but nooooo, the studios could not stand to keep making money... was it way too easy? Is it that easy to keep making money so easily that even blood thirsty suits wont do it? .... i mean i dont want to see AVP calibre with the x-men but X3 was almost there if not there. nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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There are far more people way more excited to see Pirates 2, a sequel to a huge movie they remember seeing just a couple years ago. Superman is our parent's super-hero. And "Returns" is a sequel, I don't care what anyone says, to a movie that is 25 years old. People are just not that into it.
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If you paid attention to the SII, then you realised that he had his powers taken away before he banged Lois. Gooood! I can't belive I'm a biiger geek then you dweebs.
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Remember Clark's powers were removed by the red-sun chamber before he got between the silver sheets with Lois. That doesn't mean his genes didn't get passed on, though. Just like if a man paralyzed in an accident had a child, the child wouldn't be paralyzed. What? Bad analogy?
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the subtext of the XMen -- the abused, hated, disenfranchised, and downtrodden battling for acceptance in a world of bigots that hates and fears them; and the opposing ways of dealing with that intolerance (Prof X's moderate response to Magnetos infinitely cooler radical response) -- is what will always make the XMen more relevant and compelling than GODMAN, aka Jesus, aka Ubermensch. Point blank: heros without vulnerabilities are BORING. So even the fact that Ratner is a hack is irrelevant; people feel the pain of the XMen, they get it, it makes sense; its compelling in todays world. Ain't many people who can relate to being invincible, infallible, omnipotent and godlike. How can you root for a guy who can't possibly lose? Yay! GOD beat the badguy! No way, really? Whatever.
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But exactly how is Lois, having a kid out of wedlock, then staying with another man being A good Superman movie? Thats an Character Assasination. Lois and Clark is the GREATEST romance in COmic history. This is just a traversty. Please explain
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What if he dies? I mean, everyone says it..."Superman isn't cool because he's already invincible, yada yada yada..." You can't really kill Lois because she's too central to the mythology and the public would crucify Singer for it, but what if you introduce a new character, someone you can really mature in the sequel and have Superman know for sure is his son. Then in the third and final chapter, he dies. What greater challenge could their be to the Man of Steel, but his only son dies...and perhaps even by the hand of his arch-enemy Lex Luthor? Just a thought I had, but I do think it's very much a possibility since 1) it seems Singer and Co. realize that the challenges you have to put forth for an invincible superhero have to be emotional and 2) Singer and Co. signed on knowing full well that they will probably need to develop plot points that carry through a trilogy. What better way? I don't know. I'll probably get flamed, but I think it would be completely baddass and give Superman that angst-ridden edge that people love Batman and Wolverine for.
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He's a character whose strength always has been and always will be center stage. Why not have him realize that there is shit that he can't change, people he can't save. Sure he might saving a plane on one side of the world but on the other side a kid has just drowned. I'd like see the look on his face when that ephiphany hits him.
Put some brains behind the brawn because he's always been 1 dimensional and has always been little more than a flag waving, smiling douchbag. -
Harry does the big drum roll...the wind-up...the "You think I'm gonna say this movie sucks arse" fakeout...then...another pile of hype for some overhyped clunker!
I really doubt this movie is any good. Harry has just cried wolf, in a positive way, too many times. I wouldn't trust him if he gave Citizen Kane a good review. Writing a knock on The Omen doesn't make you trustworthy. -
What the hell? Do you even realize how much he and whoever wrote that piece of crap watered down King's novella (one of his last truly great pieces of work, IMO)? The ending could have been truly spectacular, but much like Keith Gordon's THE CHOCOLATE WAR, was softened for mass consumption.
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Parker posey should have been Lois Lane and by the by harry liked daredevil...'nuff said.
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fuck. that. bootleg on Canal St. will suit me fine.
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Put some of the badass villians in these films. Stop reusing Lex for Christ sake. He's yesterday's news.
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Who wouldn't pay to see Schwartzman wronging all of Superman's rights?
Hopefully this time around we'll get to see more of the Superman universe explored.
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...that can of V8 I pretend to drink every morning is indeed a cocktail of freshly drained Christian and Muslim children's blood. Being a "king" of talkback requires drastic measures. You listening, Darth Hater? Huh? You got what it takes to school sweaty, feverishly masturbating haters and trolls? Well, do ya? *sluuurrrp*
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His review of "Blade 2" can never be topped.
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http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=21063905&imageID=151964849&MyToken=b66180ea-e891-4fa4-be7b-49a5aea73c30
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When you consider that Harry liked King Kong and the Star War prequels, it pretty much destroys his credibility. While all of the aforementioned films do have some wonderful CGI effects, too much eye-candy will make you fat, Harry.
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Margot Kidder then? Wait, is Margot dead? WEll my point stands, especially since theyr'e posthomunously using Brando...
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On Smallville she is.
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The effects will be great and acting will be good enough. Even Routh will probably be fine. The kid is a bad idea but I can live with that.
The main reason I just can't get psyched for this film is that the basic premise is just so wrong for the character. The idea that Superman left for FIVE years to find himself and Krypton is just inane and shows how little Singer knows of this character. Its ridiculous. Completely out of character and hardly "super" or "heroic." What about all of the tragedies and deaths he could have prevented in those five years? Why abandon the adopted "big blue marble" planet he loves so much? The "real" Superman would not be able to live with himself for being so selfish. Its akin to having Batman quit and get married - it just would not happen.
Singer does not know Superman. And it shows. -
I think he based his vision for the X-men movies solely on him having seen some of the animated series, and it shows. I think he's basing the Superman movie solely on having seen the Donner films, and it shows. That's not so bad if the source material is good. With X-men, the source material was still relatively recent and up to speed. With Superman, it's 30 years old, and a whole lot of shit has happened since then, including two origin reboots, the death and return of superman, power changes, new enemies, new allies, marriage to Lois Lane, development of Clark's personality to be more confident and likable, and tons more.
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For that reason alone, it's dq'd.
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Hey doc sorry it took me so long to respond. I was busy collecting the drained corpses of those lil christians & muslim children to grind into pulp for my sloppy joes mmmm I loves me a rightious sloppy joe mmmm. Punk!
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Your rant on Superman was about as insightful as all your other posts regarding anything.
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CANES WIN CUP!
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ooooh, I've been schooled in the appropriate timing of the usage of the "mom" jokes. you is a soooper genious Kai... i am's befuddled. me thinks I should just quit while me is behind....what's that mrs Kai? oh sure I'll tell him... hey Kai your mum says stop shootin' your load in her hair while she's sleepin' she doesn't love you that way! Listen on a serious note stop tryin' to respond to me ya like shootin fish in a barrel. I feel bad already dumpin' on a twelve year old. now go to bed it's late. BEWARE THE POWER OF THE DARK...I LIKE CHEEEEESE.
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Which would be just about where your mental age is. But seriously, no need to sully the talkback with what you do in your love-life with under-age children. Despite the fact that it doesn't surprise anyone; no one really needs to see that. And I think what you meant to say was that YOU responding to ME is like shooting fish in a barrel. Not the other way round. Yes English can be a hard language, especially when a major league jackanape tries to use English expressions he clearly doesn't understand: your whole post imploded (and the subsequent intended insult) in itself on that F-up. C+ for effort though.....
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have got me psyched to see this (though, true, I didn't really need any help; my main quibble was that Routh couldn't come close to Reeve, which seems to have been proven wrong). But now, of course, here comes someone more than willing to rain on the parade; David Poland by name. Wanna read some sour grapes? Chow down: http://tinyurl.com/zrn5o
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hey tooly Mctool. If you equate typing skillls with the ability to speak a given language then turn that O smarter than thou eye upon yourself for you are obviously the Jackanape amongst the TB circuit. As i just posted over in the other thred I'm starting to reconize some of your phrases. Damn this will be funny if I know you. Plus shite for brains you assume english is my first language, typical egotistical elitest that you are must be an AMERICAN! BASTARD!!!
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........I just said that when idiots (native English-speakers or not), try to use English expressions they clearly don't understand, they end up looking like, well, idiots. I could care less whether or not you're an native English speaker: if you think you're going to bash me in this particular langauge and can't even muster the capacity nor concentration to use it properly, then expect to be called out. Oh, and keep digging, it's always fun when someone thinks they know who you are and then start playing th ludicrous guessing game. (hint: there are a LOT of peopel out there in the world who've not only mastered the language but are also clearly way way way way waaaay smarter than you are. That doesn't necesarily mean they are the same person: get it?)
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Don't mean to be a dick (or maybe I do... not sure), but you write "[...]when idiots (native English-speakers or not), try to use English expressions they clearly don't understand, they end up looking like, well, idiots." and then you go on to write "I could care less[...]" Umm, the expression is "I could'NT care less". Lot o' that goin' around.
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wow you got a lot of pent up anger and your just stupid. I don't think I'll bash you in a given language I HAVE been bashing you the whole time, you're the only fool who can't see it. Just so you know you sound like a pompous jackass where I sound like I'm havin fun cuz I am. night twinkles.
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GET BACK ON THE FUCKING SUBJECT and stop with the "nyahh nyahh so there" crap?!?
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Jun 19, 2006 11:39:51 PM CDT
Maybe it's because the subject has been touched upon in
by ourmaninmontr
17 previous reviews on this site alone. Then again, I had too much to drink watching the game, so it might just be me. Oh joy, I'm shutting up now. Ta.
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.....right. for someone so prescient as yourself as to infer what I meant to say ( as if I didn't know), I would have imagined that differentiating between a typo and a blatant misuse of an expression would have been a walk in the park. OR the difference between providing useful information and poking one's nose with unsolicited spell-check services. But that's just me. Oh, wait, you said you might have been trying to be a dick ( is is that dickhead?), so I guess it squares out. Thanks for playing though,....but you're right lot of it ( making one's self look like a dopehead) IS going around.
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...and yet you still keep posting. Both here and in the other talkback.
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Read em and weep: http://tinyurl.com/ebla9
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they pull me back in!" Ok, I feel bad, cause you're actually being a good sport and being fairly polite and I admit I'm buttin' in on shit that don't concern me (then again, a forum is a public affair), but come on, admit it: that wasn't a typo. You say "I could care less", blatantly misusing this colorful expression (and in effect end up looking like, well, an idiot). Or actually, you used to say it, cause you'll be careful with it from now on. Keep up the good work.
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was actually like Storm. You know, characterization and all? She at least attempted an African accent and her scene with Senator Kelly going all jiggly is like the character's earlier incarnation in terms of her vulnerability and insecurity. She needed to be more exotic, though, and have better lines. But then Berry definitely went for ordinary in the next two films instead of the kinds of choices a real actor would make to make things as interesting as possible with the little time they had in an ensemble piece instead of arguing for more screen time to be boring with.
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people who think the Kill Bill speech about Superman is correct.
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Cause that makes, him, like, human. That is the new modern superhero formula. Being really heroic is just too judgemental. Besides, I want to see Superman on the toilet taking a dump - it's so realistic! Like, what kind of toilet paper does Superman use? Are his personal grooming skills better than mine?
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five years. Hardly heroic, no matter how supposedly vulnerable that makes him - it's completely out of character. Until now! What's next? Lois cheats on him with Batman and then they all cry and go to therapy together?
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YOU ASSHOLE. WARN US OF SPOILERS IN YOUR REVIEW DAMNIT.
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so far and that is SAD!!! X3 was horrible all of you who debate that fact basically either: Like bad movies which is fine or you have something against Harry and Supes in a way so you have to support it. All the other movies this summer have sucked or have been for kids and/or bad comedies. I for one can't wait for Supes and Pirates and everything else in July so I can at least watch some cool movies. I don't understand all the hate towards these flicks mainly SR. Do you want more movies like Click and the Breakup during the summer? Those could come out in Novemeber and be fine. So go Supes!!! I hope this movie does well anyway so we can have Brainiac in the next one.
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wrong with the other X-Men films. In fact, it was better than the first one.
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Yeah, if you rant and rail against the buffonnery of Otis and Miss Tessmacher from Parts I and II, then you have no businesses assuming your mantle of SuperFan. A SuperFan enjoys every single last fucking thing about Donner's characterizations, that includes Otis and Eve. Oh and about that Otis theme you mentioned. It's officially Lex's theme, because it pops up in the godawful Part IV and there's no sign of Ned Beatty, is there numbnuts? Oh and next time Harry, put my robe on after I'm out of the pool.
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Harry why don't you tell everyone the truth? Singer was hired and Supes was greenlit off a 27 page treatment and in production within 5 months. They rushed a BAD script into production to meet a date (July 4th). Why don't you ever mention this, Harry? Or why haven't you allowed the script to be reviewed on AICN? Trust me, it's BAD. If you think a "kryptonite continent" that Lex is going to charge rent to live on sounds like a good/intelligent plot for a villain, then you will love this movie. Or, if you don't mind that Supes kid has superpowers (even though he was born under a yellow sun and not a red one) then this is for you. Let's not get started on Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Kate Bosworth. Then again, Harry probably thought nuclear scientist Denise Richards was a plausible character.
And, as far as the pricetag, Supes has a budget north of $265, not the $200 bs number Harry is trying to sell here. Just do the math, harry! They shot from March until end of November! Its one thing to write your review back in february, but please don't start lying to people about the facts, Harry. It's why people think you are just a shill for WB and Singer. -
Not about the movie...Who cares? A few thoughts about the talkback
1) For some reason, the true kryptonite is the word "B-I-A-S" in this talkback...Seriously people, it's four letters...It's not that hard.
2)Being in tears over a Harry Knowles review might be a symptom of bipolar disorder, not a genuine love of a movie
3)People have a love for Supes that is WAAAAAAYYYY creepy
4)I know this is AICN, but let's dial down the exclamation points
5)Please don't use a numbered list to mock me...It's predictable
6) Mom jokes are poor form, and the mark of a lazy satirist.
7) Once I got past the history of your life, it was a very good review, Harry
Sounds like a very good movie...Can't wait to see it. -
Superman is one of the most hateful character in the comic book universe. what? what? Superman is Jesus analogy? Yes your B.S. Im sick and tired of this over budget flying cow!
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Wow, what a great review Harry! I've been a huge fan of the Christopher Reeve Superman since first seeing it as a child in the 1970s, just like you did Harry. The first two movies were...classic. The last two were just horrible. But I still stuck it out and supported Reeve all the way. So, when I found out Bryan Singer was going to direct Superman Returns, I was really excited. Singer casting an unknown actor to portray Superman was a great idea in my opinion. Along with the casting of Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor being just pure genius casting, I was ready to believe a man could fly again. Now, after reading your touching and positive review of Superman Returns, I am ready to see it now! I am going to pre-order my ticket to see it in IMAX-3-D on opening day. I trust your review and appreciate your thoughts and opinion of this important film. Superman needs a "jump start" after years of being gone from the spotlight of the movie screen. I hope everyone heeds your review Harry, and sees Superman Returns again and again. I am ready to believe a man can fly...again! Thanks Harry.
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Jun 20, 2006 3:16:29 AM CDT
Van- if you think that's how I really spell the word
by seppukudkurosawa
Then you've obviously got some deep, ingrained, hidden baisedsd.
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Very nice. You saw the snark, respected the snark, and returned the snark in kind. Well played...Well played indeed.
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Thanks SatanSteve for the link to the Soundtrack. You just made my day, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
It usually goes that if Harry really hates a movie then it turns out it's good and vice versa but with the new Superman I think it's a safe bet that it's going to be at least a whole lot of fun! Harry hated the 3rd XMen and I really enjoyed it but I can't see how the Harry Knowles Good/bad review curse can possibly spoil this unless Singer has completely lost the plot. The only problems I have with the new version is it looks like a little too much of a re-tread and they've used Lex Luthor as the bad guy again!? but at least it's Kevin Spacey and I guess if Singer had strayed too far he'd be getting a whole more flack! -
you know that shit is going down for real. Superman is the 'marriage material' Batman is the dangerous 'bit on the side'. That is why I will always think Batman is cooler than Supes.
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credits?
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It doesn't matter what kind of sun he was born under. Yellow sun gives kryptonians(and half kryptonians) powers. Whether they were born under a red, yellow, blue, turqoise, or green sun, a yellow one will give them powers. I agree with you on the kryptonite continent, however, and agree with superninja on all points.
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Tokyo Drift are the best films so far. So sad how mindless brain candy like drifting cars, hot Japanese girls, chases and crashes, and a loud booming sountack can top the mediocrity of X3. So what if 10 coked up monkeys in panda costumes wrote the script while being forced to watch Battle Royale and listen to Utada. I'm allowed junk every now and then right? Right? Who am I kidding I need help. Bring on the mutherfucking Snakes on the mutherfucking Plane!
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Kids. Kids don't remember the Donner movies. And if older kids remember them, they remember them being Cheesey. You are not going to win over the new generation with a movie that is a sequel/remake to an original movie from 20 something years ago. These kids watch Smallville and Justice League and read the comics. They are not going to want to see Superman as a dead beat dad getting over a depression and finding true love. When they first showed the Superman Returns trailer a couple of months back at a crowded theater in my area, when it ended the crowd was really silent, and someone yelled "Gay" and the theater laughed. And I agree that POTC2 will make big bank. The trailer gets everyone hyped. And it looks better than the overrated original that made a killing. Superman is the King Kong of 2006.
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TOO SOON for that kind of joke bud.
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Wow....Kai-Nah'gra and darth hater....And I thought Fifty Cent and The Game had beef. I live in Illinois, FARM COUNTRY and I've seen less beef. Good thing this TB hasn't degenerated into a fucking pissing contest......oh...wait! Oh, and MY grandmother is a whore!! That's a pre-emptive strike against myself in case there are any other genius MOM pulls.Supes will own all of our asses! Deal with it!!
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...to wait and rent this. As I read all of those other reviews -- the ones that hinted this movie might be an enjoyable diversion but that it was riddled with flaws -- I thought I might give it a go in the theater for the special effects and fun factor. But in reading your review, which seems carefully constructed to refute the points raised by other reviewers as negatives, I've decided I shouldn't reward lazy film making. And how is it lazy, you might wonder? Well, aside from the kid plot device (which I actually haven't minded a bit since first hearing about it ages ago) everything in this movie seems to be a higher-tech retread of Donner's original and the follow-up. Supes saves plane? Check. Supes gets depowered? Check. Lex gets a hold of Krytponite? Check. Lex plans to make a killing in real estate by manipulating seismic events? Check. Lex's henchwoman takes pity on Supes and ultimately proves Lex's undoing (soemone will need to confirm that one for me, as I heard it from a source that may or may not be reliable). Point is, there's nothing new here that necessitates my box office dollars and Harry's predisposition to like this film while having bashed the quite entertaining X3 as long and as hard as he did is really just a huge turn off. Nice work, Harry.
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and I didn't see 'Cars' because I don't dig on Pixar films but the visuals look awesome.
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Was better than most action films.... I don't care if you can fly a plane through the many plot holes and silly situations. It is the only enjoyable and thrilling TV show on right now. I say the WHOLE season was better than MI3, but not the last episode. That's pushing it, as some of the other episodes (Jack shooting Poltergeist Mom in the kneecap and the Nerve Gas at CTU) were better than the last episode.
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I have to agree with both of your observations. Harry's reviews for "X3" and "Superman Returns" were telegraphed months in advance. You could see them coming from miles away. While I have not yet seen either movie to formulate my own opinion (and probably will avoid doing so in the theater), it's disappointing to see such an obvious bias. I think it's embarrassing for the site as a whole and it's the only time I've ever called out Harry on anything.
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The "Transformers" teaser trailer hits July 4th and is slated to appear before POTC2. FYI.
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I was just havin' alittle fun at Kai's expense, but his assurances that Supes would produce poor box office numbers was just too silly to pass up. AS for mother jokes, going to them so soon was part of the humor. I find them base but funny. You have to admitt his mad scramble to one up me and others was cute. He's funny.
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I can't believe all the debate. Were all going to see it. Some ae even going to pay a ridiculous amount of money at IMAX on the first day. I know they can use better vilians, but who gives a damn at least he's back. Yes Supes leaving is out of character, him having premarital sex also out of character. But who cares...It is a damn movie. I am a Superfan. But I'll take any freaking thing right now. It's been to many years since he's been on the screen and frankly whatever happens will be better than having Nick Cage as Supes or Evan Marriott. Let's not forget they were going to have Mr I hate My life (Tim Burton) as director. He would have screwed up nay fucked over Supes, I don't want a depressed boy-scout. I want a happy go lucky yes Jesus man with the world on his shoulders. And all you asses going why didn't he mention the JLA in passing...It's because who would really miss him if he were gone where is the impact? Right now its like there are no other hero's out there just him and he left, so what would the world be like with out a Superman. You know like a day with out a Mexican only world wide. Now I want an enchilada buy geeks.
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Stretching the talkback, assuming a 1024 by 768 standard.
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I didn't come here to read the Harry Knowles biography. I just want the damn review without the crap at the start.
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....I'd like to put you in a big jar and keep you in my basement. Then you could eat Raisin Bran with me every morning and Beefaroni every night. After dinner, I could tell you about the rabbits and you could tell me about the time you saved Tom Welling's life.
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hi my name is Kai_Mah'gra i'm gonna pontificate Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah this film make less and less sense WAAAAHHHHH! Did you have a good night sleep? I did.
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... X3 was GREAT and I have nothing but high hopes for Superman Returns. And yes, Harry is biased for reasons I've stated before.
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..."My negativity towards Ratner and X3 came from the fact they started production without a strong script, without proper pre-production time and a rushed schedule that only a hack would agree to. X3 should be coming out in 2007, then when you realize that X3 and SUPERMAN RETURNS cost the same and you see every dime on SUPERMAN's screen - and you realize the rushed production on X3 was directly related into them wasting money that could have been better spent on a more fully developed story and effects sequences... with a realistic time-schedule for fx delivery... you'd begin to understand my frustration." So you've basically admitted that your negativity towards X3 is due to so many things that doesn't relate to what we see on screen. You, with all of your industry knowledge of the project, can't look favorably on the end result. Whereas I, who avoided all possible spoilers and went in to X3 fresh, thought it was a great movie and will see it again and again. You've just proved my point... spoilers SPOIL!
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I really am glad, I dont mind the spoiler you gave us either about the kid. Thanks for not telling us every little detail about what happend in the movie also.
I cant believe its been that long, since 1990!?! I was ten then. I'm 26 now.. I get what your saying about Superman, I never 'got' superman. He was always too super for me. Nothing ever fazed him at all. But he represents hope. I get it. That's cool.
I like that analogy. It gives him alot more appeal to me now. If the movie is sucessful as you say in exposing that defining characteristic in him, then I'm all for checking out this movie more then ever.
I always liked the Superman movies. I never expected much from 3 or 4. But I liked them anyways. 4 was actually the first one that had Supes fight a super villain.
I always looked forward to that, but there's not really any supervillain for supes to fight cause Superman is too powerful.
But, I cant wait to see this movie! Thanks Har -
...X3 wasn't bad, it was just produced that way? Personally, I thought it was a blast. Harry it seems like you're the one who has been gone from Earth for six years.
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I cannot blame Singer for leaving to make Superman Returns. It was his calling. He knew in his heart this was his bliss, this made him happy. I blame Fox for not waiting alittle bit, and letting him finish this movie and allowing him to work on X3. Harry says it perfectly. It's worth the wait, all the years, everything, when a movie is done patiently, and you get the right Directors, and Writers, - CAST, then it doesnt matter how much you wait.
They should have been patient and waited for everyone to come back. It would have made X3 a classic. They put Ratner on the spot and rushed him on a project, and then it comes out not terrible, but not very good either. -
If there is a way to reconfigure this entire talk back website, so I could quote some people and respond to the comments they are making about Xmen and Superman, it would make it much better..... oh yeah, and and the smiley faces too! so they could see how upset I am! Yeah that works..
Someone on this Talkback said that you described everything about rushing the Xmen movie as opposed to the Superman movie, how they both came out at the same time, and the two movies showed how one could be a possible classic when time is taken to develope and polish a story and another bombs when its rushed. He said you didnt mention anything about what was on screen..
I'm sorry, I thought HE DID!!!! He doesnt have to mention what happend on screen cause any moron would know that if you are talking about the developement mistakes of a movie, obviously its going to show ON SCREEN.
I'm glad Superman took so long to be made. I remember wayy back when Kevin Smith was approached to do Superman movie, and remember the stupid ideas that was given to him, about a super dog or something along those lines, and he walked away from it. Warner Bros. woke up somewhere (maybe thanks to the sucess of the Marvel Movies), and said, lets take our time, and make a movie that reflects the greatest aspects of our comic books, and character. -
-- and make a post counter, and whoever gets like 100 or more posts, and then 500 or more posts get prizes or something. Or can have their own Avatars etc. That would be sick!
Cant wait for Superman!!!! Damnit Harry, NOW I CANT SLEEP TILL THE PREMIERE! I"M SUPPOSE TO BE A SPIDERMAN FAN!!!!!!!! -
There is a character element to him being Superman. And it seems as though they've lost that. And that's a shame. Sure, if he was made angry enough. Sure, if there was a tragic event that made him a media target and unpopular with the public. Sure, if it involved a threat from another planet. Create your reason. There's plenty to pick from... while retaining the reason his character is just as super. But, yeah. I'll go see it, anyway. I'm just not feeling all that hyped. It's a good thing for Warner Bros. that I'm already a Superman fan.
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Need some attention? Baby want a bottle? It's nice to hear you had a good night's sleep, so what's the problem? Did you soil your diapers and are now looking for someone to change them? Maybe Polly wanna cracker? There there, now, I'm sure you'll eventually run into your intellectual equal at some point in the future. Given with just how low cerebral wattage you're bumbling to express yourself, one would be inclined to believe that that's practically impossible, but the Law of averages states that you're bound to run into someone as monumentally stupid as you are. But you have to be patient since it WILL take a while......
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"...that I'm already a Superman fan." Yes it is, JDP. Even better for them (in terms of pre-exposure and advertising) that Harry is. It just sucks for those of us who wanted something fresh, faithful and interesting. I don't know if any comic movie adaptation has acheived all three of those things (I'd argue that the Spidey movies, Batman Begins and the latter two X-films came close), so maybe it's just an unrealistic criteria to hold a comic film to. But one can hope.
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Son, you're going to have to become a member of The Zone for all those fancy avatars, bells & whistles. (See the link above?) However, it is severely pussy-fied and lacks the "You've Got To Be Quick On Your Feet" quality that these more anonymous and venomous Talkbacks require.
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For the record, Darth: AICN "catchphrases" like your little "dark" routine, are bigtime gay.
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... what?
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"Given with just how low cerebral wattage you're bumbling to express yourself" Now do you believe me? your OWN words your OWN word!!! ADMITT IT you're of low IQ. Your command of the english language is also suspect!!!!!! That aside bud, how ya been? are you thinking about girls yet? Don't rush it. That's the problem with pre-teens these days always rushing to lose their virginity. Just because your logic is befuddled regarding movies such as the soon to be great SR, does not mean you should be befuddled and rush into dating. I know this is you DB you know it's true. BEWARE THE POWER......hee hee hee
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Seriously, Brandon Routh, Parker Posey, Kevin Spacey, Frank Langella...to hell with them. Eva Marie Saint is awesome, and I suspect she will do for Superman what Rosemary Harris did for Spiderman. I'm glad there's a reason for me to see this actually, because when I found out Lex Luthor's evil plan was to create a new continent....yikes....what the hell? http://tinyurl.com/fevne
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you know that hurts. I actually am fond of your posts. I only flame the dopes so I'm gonna let you off this time. now choose you enemies wisely. As far as the catchphrase why is it gay? does it sleep with other catchphrases of the same sex? NO it's funny and deep down you know it. Douchebag filler? are you calling me vinegar? cuz that's just mean!
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SUPERMAN WAS RUSHED. They threw out all the previous scripts/ideas and made a 27 page treatment that was in production 5 months later. Warners didn't "take their time" - they rushed this thing to make July 4th. Honestly, read the script. I have. It will shock you how bad it is. Two words: kryptonite continent. If the movie is any good, thank Tom Sigel and Ottman for pushing a nice shine on a piece of turd script. If the story and script are so good, why isn't Harry allowing a script review? It was rushed. Just go back and look at when Singer and his boys were hired and compare it to when they started shooting if you don't believe me.
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They don't call me Nice for nothing. Actually, I was trying to get your attention in an effort to save you from using that embarrassing catchphrase of yours. I would hate to see you fall into the same obnoxiousness as say Gallerie Chappe or Zod. And after watching you and Kai_Mah'gra go at it in more than one Talkback, I suppose it just got to me. I'll try to be more delicate next time. After all, it's not like you are Ginger Twit, Ringwearer9, or homewrecker. May he RIP.
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RE: the catchphrase, BEWARE THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE... I'LL TAKE IT UNDER ADVISMENT.... also I am new to the forum and feelin' things out. Now back to what these TB's are for, do you think you'll like SR? and do you think it will gro$$ well?
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than Superman Returns. I don't dounbt SR will make have good sales but how much did it cost? Is it the most expensive movie ever?
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Superman is a PROJECT PICTURE at most theatres...project picture means the theatre promotes it because it is destined to do bad...previous project pictures include Racing Stripes, Hebie the Love Bug, Are We There Yet?...Superman HAS to be better than these movies (obviously) but the fact is that it will enjoy a good 5-6 day gross where it NEEDS to make more than 175 million to head towards being a financial success...The film cost way too much and the marketing alone adds at least 100mil to the ticket...Studio execs are shitting themselves right now because once Pirates opens Superman will drop 80% from its opening weekend...Plus 2 and a half hours?? Seems a little long to me.
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Hey Bryce, I'm not sure. I happen to think there is such fever regarding Superman that this has potential to break records. There are a lot of factors beyond our geekdom. Chris Reeve became such an icon beyond Supes with his accident and all. A real champion and that I believe becomes attached to future Superman projects or at least the first one out of the gate for no other reason then to compare. That coupled with the majority of popular reviews I thinks adds up to box office gold.
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SR? Aww, who knows. I was never a Superman fan and I never read the comics. I suppose I remember the first 2 Donner films with some childlike admiration...Hackman cracked me up. But to me, Supes is just an old school character that doesn't really translate well in the modern world. At least not in my opinion. That being said, it will probably gross a ton of cash.
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Longer running length equals fewer showings, although 2.5 hours versus 3 or more hours...? Anyway, will that be a significant factor?
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Yeah I think it will be a factor, X3 did *everything* in it's power to be profitable. Completed to budget, on time etc. They also had it trimmed down to a brisk 104 mins. (A lot of people say that they could have put more of everything in but it would have affected the 3 things I've mentioned.) SR being 150 minutes will limit the showings especially as kids being taken to this won't really be in the 9pm onwards shows. It may well boil down to SR being more critically acclaimed than X3 but X3 being the mre profitable movie. Just my opinion. Anyone else see it differently?
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hmmm, good questions. Lets start with super saliva, I believe it would break her down like yesterdays lunch which is very disturbing indeed but we'd need to know exactly what food was on Krypton perhaps K saliva does not perceive human flesh as something that needed to be broken down. Now both the hard-on and fart both come down to the mythology we're following, is the suit from Krypton? in which case it too would be super or are clothes on his body protected by some super forcefield a'la John byrns writing? either case his super suit is protected but in human clothes, no doubt a fart would tear right through as would his wood. I hope this helps
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... the general audience, on the other hand... Well, really, I think it's gonna do pretty well. I'd be very surprised if it didn't do at least a near-record opening, if not more so.
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they can hurt a film now-a-days which saddens me. I usually like a longer movie if of course it's good (no brainer) Like King Kong I really liked it. It really was beautiful but it was an example of a movie that needed to be trimmed. Now The Titanic is the other example, whether you liked it or not it "hit" that nerve and was three hours long and it is the record holder for gro$$. I think SR has that potential to "hit" the nerve.
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...there's a free movie pass inside.
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... with all its flaws, at least he had red kryptonite in it (it wasn't red, but it was there), and a cool Superman vs Superman fight in a junk yeard. How cool is that? (it didn't have Superman 1 and 2 epic feel and gravitas, but hey, Suppy had week-end adventures too, not just the "save the world" thing)
But Superman 4, yeah, we should just forget. -
Have Tim Burton's art department chum build Bizarro World. Have Tim direct all the Bizarro World scenes. Have Singer direct all the normal Earth scenes. That would be swell.
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I ordered from Amazon, wonder if I'll get a free pass. If so, I guess I'll see it. Though their super-save shipping says June 30th is estimated date. Oh wow, that was worth the 4 freaking bucks I saved. I WANT JUSTICE LEAGUE NOW! I also wonder if a free pass comes with Superman Volume 3, or the brainiac attacks movie. I could end up with a bunch of free passes.
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(just having fun dude) I sort of agree with you about the age thing but I think you're thinking about it the wrong way. The Donner film used it to their advantage because even though Reeve was about the same age as Routh he SEEMED older. Kidder wasn't as 'pretty' maybe but she nailed the personality of Lois - which is more important (look at the screentests with the other actresses and Kidder acts them off the stage)? It's a subjective thing that's not necessarily based on actual logic as much as emotional logic and what 'fits' according to a director. Yes Routh and especially Bosworth seem young, but Singer has said that if it's a trilogy at least they won't be old codgers by the time we get to film 3, so in that respect and taken as a whole they're RELATIVELY (sorry best I can do with no italics) the eternal 'thirtysomething' characters of the comics. If you think about it how on earth is Indiana Jones old enough in Raiders to be an esteemed professor of archeology AND have all that 'field' experience? A three day growth and a low voice distracted us from that evn though Ford was in his early thirties. Not saying I agree with Bosworth mainly as there doesn't seem to be much 'pluck' or 'dame'-like behaviour/humour in her performance (as opposed to serious/professional) which I reckon defines her as a character. There are plenty of inconsistencies with the film, but if people are going to complain about that they should also hate the comics for keeping the characters ageless while the decades pass and the world around them is allowed to change. See? The comic version of reality is just as subjective and symbolic. Besides, we're all so used to seeing highschool kids in American movies and TV being played by actors pushing 30 it's pretty much an institution (not so much overseas) that the whole argument is sort of redundant!
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But why are they showing Superman's past when it was already covered in the Donner movie? Singer really is a great director but he's really reaching story wise with this. Why the fuck would you call this Superman Returns and negate the first two films (cuz 3-4 sucked and should never be mentioned again)? Clarks childhood was explained in depth in the first film so it was kind of wierd to see it revisited in the trailers
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http://www.starz.com/features/bunnyclub/superman/index.html
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I meant to say even Alex Ross' Superman is symbolic as being the prototypical (in actuality and morality) superhero he is metaphorically the 'elder statesman' and even though Ross has shown him in ages that sort of conform to his real-life chronological creation, his forties style silver-tinged haircut will probably be the defining Ross interpretation (emphasis on that word). All this is from an artist's/film guy's perspective, so take that as another equally valid opinion! I like the idea that his ageing slows as he gets older. Is that a comics thing?
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You ever notice Harry has to be the expert on every movie he likes? He actually watched the first Superman film four times this year? This is just like when he reviewed the War of the Worlds. He read the book six times a year. He watched the movie 14 times in the Spring before release. He listens to the radio broadcast every Easter and Halloween. No one can be a bigger fan than him it seems. It has moved from fanboy to fanbsartist. You are not good at being a fan. You are, obviously, not very good at writing reviews. Hell, even the heavy dude on Lost is a better at being a fat guy than you. It is not like we don't want to hear what you have to say, Harry. Stop trying to validate a suckup review with some sort of mastery of the subject matter. Does showing off how big of a Superman fan you are make the movie suck less (I am not saying it does, I have not seen it, but it looks fairly decent). Tell how good the damn movie is, stop telling us how good of a fan you are. Can't wait to see your review attached to the tv spots "Harry Knowles says "Routh is pure genius because of my mylar poster. Two hot dogs up."
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You make a lot of good points with your arguments, particularly with the casting of Reeve/Kidder versus the casting of Routh/Bosworth. But personally I think Donner cast the roles closer (agewise; despite the fact that Reeve was indeed 26, but he did look like an older, closer to 30, twenty year old) to the comic version than Singer did for this movie, and I think that WB had a lot to do with that decision this time around. Merely, based on the fact that they would be likely to want the movie to appeal to a younger demographic ( who are the best targets for repeat-veiwings, merchandising, sequels and spin-offs),as well as to save themselves the trouble of re-casting for sequels. Only the way Singer did it ( casting a 26 year-old who looks younger, or at least not as mature as the comicbook version, or Donner's version - as well as the Bosworth choice), just besets a lot of problems for the movie in terms of any intended continuity methinks. But in any case the age issue was less of a problem for me than the other problems I mentioned - the introduction of a kid ( why?), the uncharacteristic ( at least, as per his established character) joytrip to Krypton and abandoning earth, especially after the ending os Superman 2, and the myriad other logic plot holes and inconsistencies not just in relation to Donner's movies and the comic, but particularly within the movie itself. Oh, I'm sure the action and special FX will be great and everything; but is that really all we have to show for revisiting the greatest Superhero franchise after 20 odd years? Really?
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really quick if he wants to compete. Or, adopt a kid from Kandaq or something.****By the way, is Superman going to even bother getting married? I mean, that is so old-fashioned. :P
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the loveable 70s sensitive/slightly silly Superman and go for a bolder, more sophisticated, more iconic vision of the character. I like Chris Reeves very much (he is the reason the films are watchable), but the definitive Superman is The Animated Series version because it rounded out the character very well and created a consistent vision in the same way it did for Batman after The Animated Series. The Batman/Superman movie is still by far one of the best comic book films around because of the way it handles the different facets of their personality and encompasses what and who the characters are and their strengths and weaknesses.
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...one more thing. I think the fact that characters in comics ( and by extension cartoons and animated programs like the Simpsons) don't age, for me represents one of the strongest distinct things that captivates us with that kind of world and Universe. It's the antithesis of what defines our own existence: Mortality. And to try to change that aspect in a movie translation, to me, just loses that gist. It's one of the reasons I believe for the fact that Superman was written as someone who ages relatively very slowly compared to normal humans; so as to crystalize that image we have of him, whatever the period or decade he's written in. It's something we all hope to be ( just like Superman) but thanks to our limited existence can only dream of and live out through our heros in the comics.
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the same age as Bale. I think they are still keeping a Batman/Superman film in mind. Which is why it made no sense to make an extension of the Donner films with two actors that look a decade younger than the leads in those films and expect them to have some sort of established, emotionally mature history.
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apparently. HINT HINT- giving someone a gift YOU'LL LIKE is not really giving them a gift. Did you give him what he really wanted (peace and quiet) or did you talk his ear off during the whole thing?
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that Singer basically made Superman into Jesus. Again, this film is for people who think the Kill Bill speech about Superman is correct.
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They have a clip on there where Lois and Richard White are in the Daily Planet offices discussing Supe's powers while Clark eavesdrops from afar with superhearing. This scene is fun and well-played by Bosworth and Marsden. But it's RUINED because the kid is running around the office with a trash can on his head and making monster noises. I couldn't believe it.
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full advantage of the medium. I mean, the effects are there to do an Invasion of Apocalypse story. But instead we get a dead Krypton, Kryptonite island and Superman saving a plane. Amazing. Don't they have slightly more imagination than this?
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the logic framework of the Donner films is really sort of breathtaking in its myopia. This is a Superman film, and he wants to make a Kryptonite island because the Fortress was made from shards of Kryptonite in the Donner films. And have Lois pregnant, because Superman had sex with her in a Donner film. Wierd.
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happened. Mysterious!
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.....age as Bale." Um....Christian Bale is 32 years old. Brandon Routh is 26 years old and looks every bit it. And the rest of the post makes no sense neither. So, instead (of casting truer to the comics and Donner's films) they cast younger actors with, er let's see..."some sort of established, emotionally mature history." You mean like Superman knocking up Lois Lane and then absconding his duties as protector of the world,..... oh, and as a DAD, and then taking off for a joyride to the far side of the Universe to sightsee a dead planet? That kind of emotional maturity? Certainly rings true to me too.
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Would have started with Superman getting the shit beat out of him by Doomsday. Pull a JJ Abrams and reverse back to how he got to that situation. Re-introduce the character of Superman and his origin. Had Rachel McAdams as Lois. No super baby. No Everwood episode masquerading as a superhero movie. Made Lex Luthor more evil and more like the Justice League Cartoon Lex. And finally end back to the start of the movie with the fight and have it be a huge action sequence that would be what the final fight in The Matrix Revolutions wanted to be. Superman needs more action. It shouldn't be about making fanboy's cry like little pussies. And seriously, can Singer make something that looks like he spent money on it? Why do all his films look dull visually? Jesus, X2 cost 135 million and The Matrix Reloaded was estimated at 110. So how come The Matrix Reloaded looked expensive, while Jean Grey's Phoenix effects in her eyes looked like some shit straight out of Xena?
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But you have a point. However, you misunderstood the rest of my post. If Singer is going to base this on something that happened in Donner's films, he should've chosen more mature actors.
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I'm still asking myself how the hell anyone does a Superman movie pseudo-reboot in the 21st CENTURY and not do a Doomsday story. Especially with all the technology available. Especially after Neo vs. Mr Smith. I mean COME ON! I mean, look at Marvel, they're pulling out all the stops with Spiderman 3 and 4 with Venom, and Sandman after having had a great villain with Doc Ock. They dropped the ball big time. And Superkid will do to this reboot what Solarman did to Superman 4: can yousay franchise killer? Looking forward to Superman reboot version 2.0 in 10 years or so with James Cameron doing Superman all the justice he deserves!!
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oh, you're right, we're of the same mind there - I misunderstood you. I always thought the only way to go was either complete reboot with no connections whatsoever to the previous movies ala Batman Begins, or else do it right and make sure you're casting ( and storyline) is consistent with the Universe that Donner had set up. Good call
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And here I thought we were in agreement. :) Doomsday is, by far, one of the worst Superman villians. He has no personality - he can kill Superman. Who cares? That means you have run out of ideas. All of the great things Superman stands for, all of the themes inherent in the narrative, and you want the guy that can beat him to a pulp. No way.
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which reintroduces Superman in a visually and emotionally clever way with the last 1/3 (which is inferior storytelling) instead an attempted invasion by Darkseid (setting it up for a sequel) and have Lex Luthor team up with Superman to get rid of him. The whole thing is about the nature of power. Lex likes freedom, but once he has that freedom he uses it gain more power to control others. Superman (Kill Bill speech to the contrary) does not. He attempts to preserve security and order, not lord his power over others. That's why Luthor hates Superman: Lex might have built Metropolis, but it will never love him. But both would attempt to stop Darkseid if he invaded Metropolis.
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Bruce Timm is producing a "Death Of Superman" direct-to-DVD. Yes, with Doomsday!
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*****Nothing in
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Basically there are so many other stories, villans and actors that could have made this something special from doomsday to braniac instead of rehashing a movie that was made for another generation and making it blah. i agree with you on smallville crator although my fav bit is were clark flies for the first time as kal-el. that was something special. these reviews make me think of when someone important says something is great and everyone else follows along like sheep because they dont want to look stupid.
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I couldn't have said it better myself. King Kong was total ass. It was overhyped and completely boring. Not to mention that idiotic dance for Kong she did. I was laughing my ass off and not in a good way. Now if the overrated Lord of the Rings will just drop off the radar along with this asstastic film I'll be happy.
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and then ran off. It doesn't bode well for Harry and Yoko's relationship! "Where are you going Harold? We need to talk about this!" "I have to return some video tapes! Be right back..." ;-)
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Do not debate him on this!
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Any other story that is not this exercise in mediocrity. Shit, at this rate it looks like fucking Wonder Woman will be more entertaining than this (Only if they cast a tall, healthier looking girl with charm like Anne Hathaway and make it more like Justice League's WW.) I was never wowed by ANY Superman Returns trailer. Call me a jack ass or say I have no soul or that I hate everything, but whatever. Superman is lame if there is no one there that can give him a run for his money. Superman vs Kevin Spacey? Yeah OK. That mutherfucker put one severed head in a box and has fanboy cred for life? Please. I knew I was not really interested and this "review" solidified that I am not going to rush to the theater to see this. I can only hope that the sequel to Batman is set for 2007 and kicks ass.
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...we could go." I think Brett Rattner said that.
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He's obviously a fan, but I can't tell if he has had any experience with the man of steel other than the animated series and the original movies.
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I can't wait to see this movie in Imax. I'm wondering how the 3D thing is gonna work out though. Speaking of which, there's a site giving away like $50 in Fandango Bucks. Use it to get some advance tickets! Check it out here... http://tinyurl.com/hezgg
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Stern has given SR 4 1/2 out of five stars said it blew him away. Only reporting it, I'm not implying that this proves anything. It is however another immensley positive review. It would seem that a lot of the nits and picks on this talkback don't seem to bother most people who have reviewed this. Some points he made. Kate great Lois, Brendon perfect Supes, Spacey great Lex, effects and action amazing, 2 1/2 hours not enough wanted 7 more.
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BEWARE THE POWER OF THE DARK...TEACHER SAYS EVERY TIME A BELL RINGS AN ANGEL GETS HIS WINGS. That's for you Kai >: [
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o6Rq7EA9xc
funny -
Ralph later called in to say it was good not great, great great moments but not a great film. Now I'm convinced Ralph trolls these halls. Who are you Ralph come clean, give up your secreat identity.
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Harry,
Probably the best review ever on AIC. Thank you so much. I too saw the original superman in 78 and I was totally amazed. Thank you for putting my feelings and many other superman fan's into eloquent words.
Super review! -
The hypocricy of fans, including some reviewers. Supporting the outdated Donner takes of the Superman characters rehashed here in 2006. Why? Most of you, including Harry, raked (and I'd argue rightfully so at the time) Joel Schumacher and Warner Bros. over the coals over the portrayal of Batman & Co. in *Batman & Robin*. Why? The argument is the same. The supporters of this film will say that despite these characterizations being inferior to the Byrne updates, they were still rooted in the old comics. Well, so were the inferior takes on Batman, as Schumacher claimed at the time against his critics (batnipples excluded). Weren't the 1950s Batman comics lame after the Comic Code Authority wussified him? Yup. And that was long before the Batman television show hit the small screen. Yet they were all legitimate characterization takes based upon what had gone on before in the comics. But us fans biotched loudly and Warner Bros. listened to us even though *Batman & Robin* was profitable for them (not counting creative accounting). We finally got *Batman Begins* which is by far the best interpretation of Batman outside of the comics ever (or equal to the Dini toons). Arguably, the fans got their # 1 pick of actors for the role too. *Batman Begins* rightfully negated the prior films while this movie rehashes what has been done before. For a long time, I've maintained that the Smallville cast were the ones that should transition to the silver screen despite arguably poor scripts that have plagued the series since its inception. To me, there's no contest between Welling and Routh. Same goes for between Rosenbaum and Spacey. So I say for those that are in agreement, don't pay to see this movie. If it isn't a stellar success on its opening weekend, it is doomed because Pirates will destroy it thereafter. If you think the Smallville cast got the shaft (which they did), then don't see it. And then maybe Warners will give just as much respect to this franchise as they did with rebooting cinematic Batman. The same goes for the upcoming Bond film. The producers (gee, one could say the same thing about the Star Trek producers) were the ones that should have been sacked from the Bond franchise; not Pierce Brosnan. But that's for other TalkBacks.
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I strongly disagree that they should have brought over the Smallville cast, but agree that they should have rebooted. Besides, if they brought the Smallville cast they would have had to cancel that show, which they are currently happy to make money off of. And frankly that show kind of finds itself stuck in Donnerland too, sometimes.
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*Smallville* got stuck in your so-called "Donnerland" due to the suits from Warner Bros. Pictures demanding that the folks at Warner Bros. Television and the WB Network start adding "Donnerisms" to the show so that viewers would not be confused with differences once *Superman Returns* hit the theatres. You really think the producers of the series wanted to kill of the Jonathan Kent character? Nope. But Warner Bros. Pictures made them do it.
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As a follower of many interviews and the show and stuff, it is obvious that was their intent since last season. I saw it coming a mile away and was really pissed off when they made the perfect episode(ep 100), then halfway through ruined it by bringing that worthless character Lana back to life and killing Jonathan. That was ALL Millar and Gough. Not that I would put anything past the suits. Afterall they put the Bat-embargo on Justice League so people wouldn't be 'confused'.
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Last season (Season 4, not the "just" completed Season 5) was the season in which the Warner Bros. Pictures suit monkeys started making dictates about changing *Smallville* with "Donnerisms" so that it would not conflict heavily with their upcoming Superman film. They were even pushing for *Smallville* to end/be cancelled so that its fans would be "forced" to go to the theatres to see the further exploits of Clark Kent instead of casually tuning in each week for free to the WB Network. So no, it was not ALL Millar and Gough.
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Superman film: Braniac Attacks, and they crapped it up to jive with Singer's version. RUINED Lex Luthor completely to incorporate the cheezy car salesman version.
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negative review on Rotten pretty much nailed exactly what I thought the movie was going to be. It sounds like insipid unoriginal trash and will be thankfully crushed under the heel of POTC. All these other critics can make man love to singer to avoid the he hates gheys label but we all know how much this is gonna fuckin suck.
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dude, relax, and everybody else who's pro or con the movie. SEE IT FIRST, THEN FORM AN OPINION!!! i know this is a "geek" site, and believe me, all of you are proving it to be so; but for God's sake, quit nitpicking every possible storyline in every issue of Superman the comic book that's not explained in the movie. NOBODY CARES! the same people that will see this movie are the same people that paid to see the craptastic Fantastic Four, and made it a blockbuster. So Kai, no matter how brilliant you think your knowledge of Superman and the canon are, it doesn't really matter in the long run....SO SHUT THE FUCK UP.
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Hey. the last time I checked, I was not only allowed to form and have my own opinion (in whatever fashion and order I feel best suits me), but also - and here's the kicker - express it too!! So here's another opinon for you. Why don't you take your suggestion,........ and stuff it all the way up that toxic dump you so liberally call your ass, and then shove it all the way right up to the waste of space between your ears? Better yet, save it and sing it to the birds in BALTIMOREJACKISTAN, where personal opinions are not allowed or have to be policed and approved by major twat. M'kay?
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See it first and reward them with our dollars for their flawed film? I think not. Did you have the same conviction about *Catwoman* or *Elektra* to pay full price at the theatres? No? Then shut it.
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lynxpro you has gots to be kidding me!?! Catwomen and or Electra? you did not just compare the tailer and other footage to those two crapfests did you. Listen Kai and lynx and other "hesitant" to see this (see I'm actually trying to debate), I agree they could have chosen another villan/story line and still adheared to some of the Donnerverse but I guess they felt a re-launch as opposed to a re-boot would net the largest audience. Those nastolgic, those new to live action Supes, those Smallville lovers and those comic geeks. This anables them to follow up with perhaps Darkside invasion or Brainiac. I was really hoping that when early stories were leaking of his five year absense that he was a prisoner on Apokolips but I think they felt that lesser know villians would Alienate new veiwers, I don't agree with that but I think the siuts may have. Any ways, a slight rehash with an updated feel may just turn out great. Which it would seem a lot of people feel. I may go see this and be dissapointed but I don't think so. BEWARE THE ahh never mind. Peace.
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Just so you know, since the 2005 uprising BALTIMOREJACKISTAN has been on the road to democracy, it's a little shacky but they do experience some freedoms. Also major Twatt was found in an underground bunker in his own filth, he is currently on trial. Lets all try to stay up with current events.
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This is an Elseworlds episode.
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But I got three free passes out of the various Superman DVD's I bought, so why the heck not?
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Why do you take issue with what I wrote to Baltimorejack? He (and others) are saying us naysayers should go see *Superman Returns* first before declaring that it is awful. My retort used his logic and asked him if he paid to see *Catwoman* and *Elektra* at the theatres before concluding they were krap films. Same logic. Did one have to pay to see *Tank Girl* before logically deducting that it sucked? Nope. If you want to go even more extreme with the logic - and to invoke Godwin's Law at the same time - how about applying that logic to pre-WWII? As in "hey, I think that Adolph guy is bad, but maybe what he does with Poland will turn out good...how about we wait and see before deciding to attack him over it?" I do not claim to be Sherlock Holmes, but I am not impressed with what I've seen, what I've read about the screenplay, the annointed cast, or how Warners shoveled this out to the public instead of waiting for *Smallville* to finish and then take that cast and transition them to the big screen. With that written, I don't have to waste my money to see this flick in the theatre to declare it a turkey. You guys can waste yours but I'll be buying a burrito at Chipotle instead with my $9. And Harry & Co. can slurp all they want to from their Brandon Routh 7-11 Cups but that's not my forte. It might be a different story had there been a free iTunes download with the cup, but I digress.
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You just invoked Godwin's law and therefore lose the argument. P.S. I LIKED Tank Girl.
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Is the fire too orange? Do the miniatures look too CGI? Gotta love the people who have made up their mind before seeing it. I have to admit, the trailer didn't get me excited, but with reviews this good (and the job Singer has done on other films) I'll give it a chance, and have an open mind.
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The haters aren't citing stupid reasons like that, they are citing real reasons like the plot being a rehash of the first movie and the script being apparently weak, and Superman acting highly un-superlike and such. Now whether you agree with those statements or not, there is plenty of information on the movie out there that people could fairly form an opinion based on those things.
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Look at what you said, the script "being APPARENTLY weak". That's a matter of opinion, and one that can only be determined by seeing the movie. I think it's incredibly closed minded to assume the script is weak just because some guy wrote that online. Look at what you wrote, you really think it's just as valid to base an opinion on descriptions of the movie as it is to make an opinion of the movie itself. "Man, I hate their hamburgers...never had one...but this guy told me they are way too salty..."
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ok the movie is really really good........But i was little disapointed.
Not as good at the first one. Not as good as batman Begins. but better then or equal to Spiderman 2. -
You were saying stupid reasons like "Was the fire not orange enough for them? were the special effects to small?" etc. The reasons people dislike the movie are mostly story and character driven, and you can find out the whole story of the movie if you want, and they did, and didn't like it, nor what was done with the characters.
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There's much more to a movie than how the synopsis of the plot sounds. And I'm not talking about people who dislike the movie. I'm talking about people who haven't seen it yet who assume they will dislike the movie based on what they've heard. It's not possible to dislike a movie you haven't seen.
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kai, nope, you got me all wrong. just don't like haters like yourself. and lynx, you are right. i did not see CW or Elektra, though i was tempted just to see halle in the leather with that whip, but i digress. what i don't do is stand on a pedestal and yell to the world "DON'T SEE THIS MOVIE B/C IT SUCKS. NO, I HAVEN'T SEEN IT, BUT IT DOES SUCK B/C HIS CAPE ISN'T RED ENOUGH!!".if people like you and kai get off on that, fine, but the people who read this site are intelligent(most anyways) and if something looks like shit, they are smart enough to stay away. i thought Fantastic Four looked like shit and i stayed away, finally seeing it on cable(thank God i did not pay for that); i didn't however, go on this site and bore others with why it looked like crap . by the way, i bet both of you will be at the 10pm shows on june 27th, then will hurry home and talk about how much you hated the movie, no matter if you liked it or not.
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I'm not taking issue with what you said, really. I thought it funny/harsh to compare clips from SR with Crapwomen or Electra. For instance there wasn't even the slightest resemblence to anything Catwomen ie characters name, origin, supporting characters, personality. It was strictly a vehicle for Halle Berry and was Catwomen in name only. SR really didn't stray too far from canon, other then the kid. If we're going to get into Supes acting un-super like, then he did it back in Superman II when he had premarital sex in the first place. I'm just surprised this is rubbing some the wrong way. I can't imagine not being phsyched for a new Superman. Good or bad it's gotta be better than a burrito. Bon app
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I'm not taking issue with what you said, really. I thought it funny/harsh to compare clips from SR with Crapwomen or Electra. For instance there wasn't even the slightest resemblence to anything Catwomen ie characters name, origin, supporting characters, personality. It was strictly a vehicle for Halle Berry and was Catwomen in name only. SR really didn't stray too far from canon, other then the kid. If we're going to get into Supes acting un-super like, then he did it back in Superman II when he had premarital sex in the first place. I'm just surprised this is rubbing some the wrong way. I can't imagine not being phsyched for a new Superman. Good or bad it's gotta be better than a burrito. Bon app
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don't know how that double posted. sorry folks.
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Please point out to me in any of my posts anywhere I suggested that people should not see this movie because his cape isn't red anough. In fact point out to me anywhere I tried to dissuade anyone from watching this movie for whatever reason whatsoever. I merely discussed the movie's weaknesses as expressed in the Reviews that have so far been written about it and from all that is known about the script as well as all that has been revealed by the director, and the actors. And my primary argument centers on the weaknesses of the movie which evolved as a result of their attempts to try to make a compromise movie; in between being a true sequel to Donner's films,(yet lacking the necessary contiuity to be considered an actual sequel) and the sort half-assed attempt at a reboot of the franchise with their casting and storyline choices. At no point do I suggest that people avoid watching this movie because of this fact. If you are okay with what they did, then good on you, enjoy the movie, as I'm sure you will, you happy. My contention and opinion is that they (WB, Singer et al) are likely to fail in their attempts at bridging the 2 demographics that they are trying to capture with this "in-between" reboot-sequel as they are more likely to alienate more fans of both sets of groups with their decisions. I may be wrong. But its my opinion and I reserve the right to hold and express it just as you reserve the right to disagree. If you don't like the fact that I don't view it through the same rosy-coloured glasses you do, then I can only but sympathize with you, because there's lots of us ( non-believers: of the Man-can-fly motto) out there. Will I catch in the theatres? Possibly. But certainly not on the 27th or 28th. If the word-of-mouth, from my trusted sources is not good, then trust me, my 8 bucks will be spent on POTC instead and I'll await the DVD. If they do prove me wrong and it turns out to be a great movie, then trust me, I'll be the first in line clamouring for the sequels.
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now you're flush with Warner's cash, i wish i hadn't come here, after reading that review I now can't see superman. You did force me to watch X-Men 3, which i actually didn't mind.
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Anyone else noticing the recurring pattern and theme here?
The same cocksuckers bitching and crying about Superman Retuens are the same jaded cocksuckers that lobbied for the cast of Stoolville to transistion over to the big screen.
Bah, HAH! Obi-Wan laughs at your apocryphal, non canonesque' faux Superman series that shits all over 60 years of continuity just so a few lazyass generation Y'ers can pretend like they understand an archetypical LEGEND such as Superman.
I'm GLAD shitville got the shaft.
It will go the Lois and Clark route of QUICKLY being forgotten thank God. -
Fuck ALL of you running anyway.
Superman isn't intended for your sorry asses anyhow. He is far too dynamic, pure, ethical, moral, STRAIGHT edge for the ME ME ME turd generation. Of course some rancid rank cocksucker that is emotionally crippled, cries about everything, feels sorry for themselves, hates every fucking thing, has never had an original idea in their life, is technologically savvy but lacks a modicum of wisdom , would prefer a tainted, torn, self doubting, jaded character such as Batman or Wolverine to a messianic character such as Superman. I tell you what, if you are over 15 and under 25, stay the fuck home anyway! No one wants your smelly, lazy, cynical, bitter, self absorbed , no hope, no inspiration asses tainting up auras anyway. Superman is a kid and older adult thing, Fuck Generation Y up the ass. Fuck Marvel comics. Fuck Batman and his petty personality issues. Fuck The X-men and their fanbase of rejects that relate to them only because they themselves are outsiders.
Superman has returned, and that's all you'll EVER need. -
Please ban the mental midget that stretched the TB, or at least implement WIDTH=100 into your HTML code. Pretty please? Thanks!
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Saw it today at a screening in Sacramento. I thought it was boring and the ending dragged WAY too long (think Return of the King long). I did like the acting, Spacy was great and the new Superman was good enough. The story just seemed to be...lacking. Oh, and the major event everyone is talking about (I won't say here in case people haven't read about it) I found completly lame and not necessary. I liked X3 much more, but that's just my opinion.
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Another person I know has seen it and says the kid proves to be Supes by giving him a transfusion and hints at becoming Superboy.
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Don't know who you talked to, but there was no transfusion or hints that I saw. The lameass kid does have some powers though...I really hated the kid...
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Three and a half stars out of four for me. Sure, I had a few issues with it: about five or ten minutes too long toward the end and Lex's Big Plan seemed a bit familiar, but so what? It was the first time this year that I felt entertained from start to finish by a movie. Go, have fun. Singer has done a fine job with this film. Scary to think that Tim Burton, McG and Brett Ratner were attached to Superman at one point or another. Burton might have been able to make a decent film, but the other two would have given us something even worse than Superman III or IV.
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Kate Bosworth looks smokin' hot in the new issue of Interview magazine check it out on the web
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What, no "generation dumbass" remark?
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Since I don't have time to read all of this talkback--why are some of the reviewers acting surprised that Singer tailored this Superman as a messiah/saviour/Christ like figure? Superman's story, especially in the movies, has always had a Christ-like theme. I even believe that the original 38 comics portrayed a story towards the question, "If a Messiah came back now, what might he be like?". This got a big "duh" factor from me when reading some of these reviews. Am I wrong here? Same thing with the Matrix, SW, Dune (the most obvious) etc. Anyway, hope this movie is great!
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Finally...somebody has the balls to review a comic movie and say yes there is a story here too, and yes, there is supposed to be a story and not just 2 hours of explosions and chase scenes! That was one of the many charms of the original SUPERMAN!
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Of course you're not wrong, Mjayace. People get pretty distracted by the whole American Myth thing, but of course he's the Christ Myth. I like that it's the Christ thing by a couple of jews though (and of course there's the Golem and stuff in there). As for "the American way", that wasn't introduced 'til much later (which makes total sense considering the time period), and by the way what does that mean now? I always assumed it meant freedom (what did Reeve say in the first movie? Can't remember), in which case why couldn't they just say that, as it's a bit weird to say an alien likes one particular country's moxie above all others. Do Americans get first dibs for saving 'cause he crashed there? Yes considering the current state of the country no wonder they sidestepped it for the new movie. It is a bit jingoistic not to mention myopic for the prototypical hero, and after all, do we really want all those foriegners chanting "Fuck YOU, Superman!" all the time? Right. I'm rambling again. Guh.
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Did your gen y girlfriend/girlfriend leave you, Obi-Wan? Jesus!
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My proofreading is slipping. Zuh.
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Just someone that's been visiting since Pre-Phantom Menace days utterly fed up with the banal incessant crying and whining that goes on in the talk backs about every movie that comes down the pipe. Nothing more or less.
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I don't obsessively "cry" over films coming down the pipe. Just the ones that suck and should be better than what we are shoveled and told to like. And I too have been here since before the B&R days.
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Meant to put a ;) before. You go girl.
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I thought you haven't seen this movie yet. Therefore, you don't know if it sucks. I agree with obi about the people who piss and moan based on tidbits read online instead of thinking for themselves. Quit crying and being so obsessive. It's just a movie, if you don't think you're goin got like it, just save your eight bucks and stay home.
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Just listening to the Ottman score. Seems to echo what Harry says. Cant wait!
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Which brings me to yet another gripe. Instead of emulating John Williams, why not just hire the man to do the score? Lucas certainly did for the Prequels, and I don't think any of us can criticize the work of Williams in any of those flicks. You know, if I was a record producer and I wanted to produce a Beatles-esque song, I'd contact Paul McCartney first to see if he was interested before I lowered myself to calling up Oasis with a contract offer. Get real, get Round Table.
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Can we not agree that Oasis is the greatest British rock band since The Beatles?
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...to not trust Variety, Time, Newsweek, and Hollywood Reporter. Sheesh! What pompous idiots!
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Time Magazine is part of TimeWarner, Inc. Same goes for Warner Bros. Pictures.
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...Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly? All I'm saying is that people are reacting as though AICN is pimping a movie everybody else hates. That would be true...EXCEPT EVERYONE ELSE LOVES THE MOVIE, TOO. Well, just about everyone else. Those powerhouse folks over at Movie City News didn't like it, which may dramatically affect its box office.
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As is Sports Illustrated People Magazine Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Fortune, Essence, Money and a whole host of other mags and periodicals. Can you say Monopoly?
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Here's Times fact sheets.
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/businesses/index.html -
Jon "Freakin' Polar Bears" Peters produced the film. Considering how he screwed up *The Wild Wild West* with his mechanical spider, do you really want to pay to see this film and reward him with his percentage share of the box office? Seriously, rent *An Evening With Kevin Smith* and you won't want to do so after hearing about Smith's take on Peters.
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Obiwan you posted:
"Fuck ALL of you running anyway. Superman isn't intended for your sorry asses anyhow. He is far too dynamic, pure, ethical, moral, STRAIGHT edge for the ME ME ME turd generation. Of course some rancid rank cocksucker that is emotionally crippled, cries about everything, feels sorry for themselves, hates every fucking thing, has never had an original idea in their life, is technologically savvy but lacks a modicum of wisdom , would prefer a tainted, torn, self doubting, jaded character such as Batman or Wolverine to a messianic character such as Superman. I tell you what, if you are over 15 and under 25, stay the fuck home anyway! No one wants your smelly, lazy, cynical, bitter, self absorbed , no hope, no inspiration asses tainting up auras anyway. Superman is a kid and older adult thing, Fuck Generation Y up the ass. Fuck Marvel comics. Fuck Batman and his petty personality issues. Fuck The X-men and their fanbase of rejects that relate to them only because they themselves are outsiders. Superman has returned, and that's all you'll EVER need."
I love you. -
I didn't know this. So for the already-SR fans saying that Routh is a better acting choice than Welling, read it...Welling beat him for the Clark Kent role on *Smallville*... http://tinyurl.com/mkpsz
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That's one of the reasons that Darkseid is so popular-he's the antichrist figure that can totally beat superman. To this day, I dont know why Luthor was being chosen as the villain and not Darkseid for Superman Returns. Well..I suspect its because of Singer's mediocrity as a film maker, but i could be wrong. I'm still there opening night, but i'd be a liar if I said i wasn't apprehensive in light of who's directing this, the casting and costuming decisions, and the whole remake thing. Yes, I realize that this film is supposed to be a sequel, but if it werent for the reusing of Brando and Williams' score, you'd never know it. This film retells Supe's origin, casts actors who are obviously 10 to 15 years too young for the part, and completely retells the story of Superman 1--plot point by plot point.
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Jun 26, 2006 11:38:31 AM CDT
Clark Kent and Smallville Clark Kent are two different
by engineer_at_peac
characters. You can't really judge him on that criteria. Just because an actor is better for one character doesn't mean he's better for another one.
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Yeah, checked the print last night at midnight Last Action Hero style at my local theater, pays to have a cousin as a manager. I have read many reviews and seen lots of feedback so far. And I say to you with no reservation whatsoever. If you do not like this movie, then you are an asshole. Your life has been wasted because somewhere along the line, reality has bled your soul of joy and raped your mind of fantasy. In fact let me go one further. If you do not stand up and cheer for the pure cinematic splendor of Superman Returns...then you should hang yourself.
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Dude, that's exactly what I say about X3, and we all know how divided poeple are on THAT, don't we?
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X3 ruled like a cool fool in a swimming pool! you just had a gaggle of Marvel die hard arm chair critics fucking it up with all their comic book based insistencies! I still say X2 was the best of the three but X3 was an awesome entry that streamlined the story and pathos into it's 90 minute run time just fine. Awesome double endings too!
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I think there is a very fundamental issue that is being overlooked here as to why Luthor is repeatedly the villian in the films.
There is an old maxim in storytelling, whether TV, novels, or motion pictures, in which you can only give an audience one stretch of logic at a time, otherwise the sheer weight of lunacy collapses on itself.
Superman is a grown man wearing skin tight spandex, that can fly , and shoot laser beams out of his eyes. That is a stretch of logic and reason. If you insert that concept in a film, then sprinkle other stretches of the imagination such as big rock guys that shoot omega rays out of their eyes and have a ducksuck sounding voice, you are stretching your audience entirely too much and everything is reduced to silliness.
Donner , God Bless him, used to run around the set with post it notes and signs which read "REALITY people".
Let's ground this fantastical idea into reality and make it larger than life, but not Burton or Shumacher campy.
Remember Batman Begins? Same basic principle. They grounded the film in reality, as much as possible, and that's why it was so warmly recieved. Scarecrow wasn't over the top ridiculous, just a guy wearing a sack on his head. Qui-Gon Jinn was just a normal albeit extremely skilled assassin ninja type. See my point?
When you start inserting silliness into the films, it goes the way of Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher. Which fucking sucks! -
He is the antithesis of Superman's persona in every way. Assuming his character is given the hollywood treatment, I dont see how Darkseid would stretch credibility...
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They're both aliens. One uses his power for good, the other to take over the universe. Here comes Darkseid to take over, Superman, defends it--end of story. Hell, it would play to the donner ideals, as well. The hellish figure attempting battling the messiah. Now, if some extra dimensional or mystical character were introduced, I'd agree with you. But when its a character with similar origins, and goals that are on the same spectrem, I'd call that a perfect supervillain. Hell, following the logic that Darkseid strains credibility would be like having a spiderman movie without the green goblin.
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I doubt Singer has ever read a comic book in his life. If you mention the name darkseid to him, he'd tell you "god bless you."
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What about superman's heatray or x ray eyes? Darkseid IS evil superman.
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I wasn't going to see Superman Return or at least not so soon, but I most admit this review certainly changed my mind about not waiting until the DVD release; Tuesday night it is then. I thought the X3 review was right on the nose so I'll trust Harry for this one
HEROES & COMICS
http://groups.msn.com/HEROESCOMICS -
The exact things that I worried about are being mentioned in reviews. Dull, plodding, a "brooding" superman, no sense of wonder, Brandon Routh has no spark, etc. I'll see tomorrow, I guess. Oh and for the record, I trust Harry's reviews about as far as I can throw him. He MEANS well, but he is just too close to the business to look at anything with a critical eye. King Kong was a laughingstock, and everyone knows it, but he tempered his criticism of that movie because Pete Jackson is his buddy.
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The LA Times review of this film was less-than flattering. Sorry, but all the rah rah rahs that Harry gives this film makes it that much harder to believe anything he writes about the big budget films.
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AND YES - a REAL VILLAIN for the next film. I, for the record, believe Lex can be a real film but NOT as he is currently imagined in this film cycle. Darkseid is a great idea. I was thinking that during the entire film. Oh - and he should also deman to marry Wonder Woman if he does show up. ;)
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First off, I'd like to say, to the guy who sat in front of me, two rows from the back, at the ten o'clock showing at my local cineplex, you know who you are, Mr.I'm wearing a Batman shirt "to be different", Mr.I think I'm clever clapping at a certain point in the Consolidated Theaters "lobby" ad, Mr.I try to get attention by letting loose with the most obnoxious laugh known to man at any given moment (whether it's called for or not), "congratulations son, you're a meathead". Now, on to my thoughts regarding the biggest film of the year...... I feel the same way about Superman Returns, as Harry feels about X3. I'm disappointed, something I loved didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. Of course, he has more canon to fuel his opinion than myself, and mine is a bit out of the norm. I'm disappointed that they chose to take the franchise in a certain direction one that will prevent Millville from ever getting a spinoff. I'm dissapointed how the characters were handled (although, I will admit, when there is far more depth to them on that show I mentioned...once you look through the "Dawson's Creek" and "freak of the week" storylines, and spotty writing, you'll find one of the best comic themed properties to grace the small screen, and should have one day graced the big one as well. I told myself "I'm not going to try to preach the gospel of Smallville, because I know from experience it will only fall on deaf ears", but you know me. And, I bet it would be easier than trying to get BendersShinyAss to check some of the classic X-men comics out. Smallville is about the character of Clark Kent learning about his powers and trying to deal with them and have, or at least attempt to have a normal life in the process. He is more in the vein of a Peter Parker on the show, and I dare say, he is handled much better than what Sam has done with Pete. Sure, it's a departure from Supes being a "god" who only poses as one of us to fit in, but frankly, that is boring. Yes, I said it, BORING. Smallville tried something different, and knocked it out the park, but unfortunately the majority of Superman's fanbase were impatient or put off by certain themes. Which I can't understand when, we are talking about a teenage boy, doing teenage things. People knock it for it's teeny bopper romances, yet they can live with the Supes/Lois relationship that (sometimes) weighs down the films. They knock Welling's acting, when Routh was as wooden as they come. Routh isn't as bad as Reeve, mostly because the script doesn't have him ham it up, yet what he is doing is still a impression of Chris. That's it, that's all. Welling has made the role his own over the last five years, but instead of the hope of a Superman for a new generation, we get a rehash of the old one. Of course, most of you will say this review was written months ago, due to me being the most outspoken Smallville supporter on this site, much like you claimed Harry's X3 review was written last year, but......unlike Harry, I can admit to enjoying something I have such a grudge against. Yes, I was looking forward to this film, and as I mentioned, rather explicitly in my X3 review, the third trailer blew me away. And certain things did blow me away, the action scenes, were amazing. The effects of Supes being Supes on film, have finally been realized. (I smell a Oscar) Supes setting the plane in the ballpark, Supes do some major landscaping near the end of the film, all awesome. But, the most memorable moments, were not from Supes, Spacey's Luthor (who is much better than Hackman, but pales in comparison to....you know who), Bosworth's Lois (who was much better than I had expected, but still didn't display at least a hint of the firecracker we love about her character), or the kid (who wasn't as annoying as I had feared from the dreaded "trashcan" clip), no, the most memorable moments came from......James Marsden. Yes, I said James Marsden. I'm a X-men fan, first and foremost. Of course, you may question that, for me liking The Last Stand (It was nowhere near what we wanted, but I still enjoyed it). In Superman Returns, there is a certain scene involving Marsden that reminded me of one of my first issues of Uncanny. Issue #176 to be exact. And it made me a little more pissed off at Tom Rothman for doing X3 without Bryan, it had me wishing Cyclops was as heroic as Marsden was here. That was a glimpse of what we could of had with the double shot of X-sequels Singer had planned. Hopefully, we will get more of James in Superman Returns Again, or *crosses fingers* a resurrected Scott Summers, he has really become a likable guy. I dare say, he should have been casted as Superman, he's that good. The story and pacing is a bit meh, and once again Singer lifts a major plot from a Star Trek film, but it is light years better than Donner's efforts. I just wish Bryan would quit playing "homage" *cough*rehash*cough* and come up with something new for once. Overall, the film is good, but not great. It's not the holy grail of comic cinema that some proclaim it to be. But considering we haven't got many film's vying for that crown, it sets awful close to that title. Maybe next time, and maybe they will do something different. Considering that Supes has a kid now, it most likely will be. Of course, Bryan will probably play "homage" to Smallville with the boy. *sigh*
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Between promos and competitors bashing or whatever other agendas, I personally recommend this film which I though was pretty good and far superior in quality and entertainment value than any other movies this year
I give it a rating of between 8.5 to 9 out of 10 stars; nice work
Warning first time don't always work well with me as overtime movies tend to grow on me with each viewing, and I think overtime I'm going to like this movie more and more; I got the feeling this movie will be popular for generations to come of home video what ever critics & box-office say, in the long term long run Superman is the winner
And in no way this is a kiddy or gay agenda movie, Bryan Singer made one real cool superman movie in my book and he gets all my applauds and respect for yet again an other great film, and as far as I'm concern he can make any superhero movie he wants from Superman & Batman, Justice League, Justice Society, but if he wants to do Green Lantern he will have to sign in for all three generations from Alan Scott, Hal Jordan, to Kyle Rayner and the whole Green Lantern Corps; as far as I'm concerned he could even do Captain America, Thor, Iron Man or the whole freaking Avengers
Tuesday night 10:00PM showing it was a FULL HOUSE even a few costumed Superman at the showing
Again nice job
Harry was perfectly right about X3 and he's still right about Superman Returns, right on the nose -
FUCKING SPELLCHECK! WTF? MILLVILLE?
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I was 10 years old when Superman the Movie was released and must have seen that movie in the theater about 15 times. I am a true child of the 'blockbuster era' of movies, so I was much looking forward to Superman Returns. My short & sweet review is that it is a good reintroduction of the Man of Steel but it doesn't live up to the expectations of those of us who are fans of Superman the Movie. Routh is great as Superman and I don't have as much problems with the casting as I do with the story. The story concept is good but the action and conflict between Lex and Superman and its resolution are what really bog this film down. How bout this for a nitpick, if Luthor knows everything about the 'crystal tech' and the workings of the Fortress of Solitude, couldn't he free the 3 supervillians from their fortress prison if necessary.
Anyway, lets hope that a sequel lives up to the promise that this film seems to have squandered. -
... Harry was NOT right about X3. Check your facts.
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I'm sure at some point in the movie some my have said to themselves if not right out loud in the theatre, WHERE THE #@!!! IS AQUAMAN.(quote from my Justice League Movie fan page)----> Looking at Superman Returns which was very cool, I couldn't help to think at times in certain scenes where original Justice Leaguers would have fitted right in perfectly, like in some strange way, despite their complete absence, the movie still reminded us and made us think about them. That scene in the city where Superman was a bit taken by surprise and overwhelmed with all the chaos everywhere around, I imagined the Flash Barry Allen running in and lending a much needed helping hand. And also Green Lantern Hal Jordan overhead shielding innocents bellow from buildings falling glass and debris. And that scene with Superman unconscious sinking to the bottom of the ocean, where I was waiting for Aquaman to swim in to the rescue. Or with Superman affected by Kryptonite taking a severe beating, I was hopping to see Batman raining down from the sky with a little tactical Bat-Jet air support; I would have love to have seen Lex's face then. And in the end the Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman not affected by Kryptonite, helping Superman to push that gigantic piece of rock into space. ----> http://groups.msn.com/HEROESCOMICS/justiceleague.msnw
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Honestly, this shit about Luthor in the original has to stop. Luthor was great. I'd have given money to hear Luthor's theme in this movie instead of the white noise that was on whenever he was on screen. And yes, it was LUTHOR'S THEME not, Otis's you fools! You hear it when Otis is on screen for the first time because it's anticipating Luthor--you hear it with Luthor from then onward. And it's a good playful villain theme. This shit that Luthor was goofy before--NONSENSE! He is considerably more of a light touch in the new movie with the single exception of the scene where he actually stabs Superman with the Kryptonite--and even then I think the moment only work because of what had already been done with the role in Hackman's care. Spacey is good, but not very great. He lacked a good one on one scene with Superman, almost as if they didn't want to let Spacey overpower Routh in acting--something I don't think would have happened but maybe they weren't sure. Seriously, I don't think Luthor was "fixed" in Superman Returns one fucking bit. He's actually worse I think without Hackman and Beatty. I liked Kitty Kowalski, so much that I didn't like where she ends up in the movie, particularly after her convenient change of heart. I wanted Superman to save her from herself. I felt them building to it and then they didn't. I hope she's in the next movie clutching that dog still like it's the only thing that might ever love her. She was a sad portrait of the typical villain's girl, and I'd say she was more memorable than Spacey in the movie.
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I think Superman Has Been Back for Awhile will be a better film the same way Spider-Man 2 was better than Spider-Man. But Singer needs to make the next one a bit darker... maybe even edgy. Make Bizarro one of the bad guys manipulated and controlled by Luthor or Mr. Myxtlplk. Yes I know I spelled that wrong. Geek. They'll probably go with Brainiac, though. I found Superman Returns tediously slow in parts and the opening credit sequence was a total snore. The scenes with Superman being super are totally freakin' cool and worth seeing. Every other aspect of the film needs a little something more or other to make it work better in the next Superman film.
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Having seen the film, I am baffled by this review. Wanting the film to be good doesn't make it good.
Seriously, this is a 2 1/2 star picture that you will be guaranteed to sleep through on DVD. It is way too long, and way too slow to get going, and way too self important. The most original idea in the film involves the Superman costume, which looks pretty spiffy. The technical filmmaking skills on display are amazing. Which it's SUPPOSED to be, given the budget and talent involved.
The big problem: Superman is suppposed to be larger than life, and heroic. Instead he gets his face rubbed in the dirt by nameless characters, spends time in the
hospital, has a beer with Jimmy Olsen, has romantic/family problems well-suited to daytime TV, and thank god for the modern comic brilliance; he burps. Some of this is in service to the plot, and some of it is in an attempt to make Supes more of an everyman. It makes for a dull movie with no real
sense of adventure or joy.
Longing to be human and the attendant loss of power was addressed with humor and efficiency in Superman II. These are two qualities Superman Returns would have done well to emulate, as the gravity and humorlessness of this turgid film proves inescapable.
One of my favorite things about Superman is that he's not human. He is NOT one of us. He was in fact sent to help us. I'm glad that he's not conflicted about this role at least,
or the film might have proved to break the three-hour barrier.
My short form analysis: "Superman Returns" is a Marvel comics treatment of a DC character. -
Since when does a 4 year old kid take science?
And to comment, in a Superman Free World, North America and Parts of Europe would not be destroyed because Lex was using Superman's Crystals, which would also not exist in a Superman Free World. -
Great review, Harry! You touched on all the points that I found interesting and fascinating. The best movie of it's kind - EVER! Beats the original movies by a landslide, and being a BIG fan of Superman 1 & 2, and Chris Reeve, that is saying something. Brandon was superb as both Clark and Superman, and he made the part his own. And the part at the end, with Ma Kent in the crowd outside the hospital really choked me up. Brian Singer has my gratitude forever for bringing such a wonderfully written and beautifully filmed story to the screen. I can, and will wait for the sequel, which will be even better than this! Kudos to everyone involved!!
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Just got back from a preview screening in Dublin, Ireland (the movie doesn't open here until Friday the 14th) and I loved every second of it. Brandon Routh was note perfect. Spacey was a great, evil, bitter and nasty lex. Kate Bosworth did a good job as a slightly more mature, motherly Lois. The kid was even good. Singer knocked it out of the park. Using elements from the original flick was a great move (the score, the odd in-joke, the opening credits font). The action was spectacular, the story was great and the drama and emotion was there too. Didn't feel too long at all. Well done to all involved. This should be a lesson to Hollywood producers - let those with a genuine affection for the characters and the story make the films. This was made with genuine love, care and attention and it showed.
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Does one fantastic scene make an entire movie? Because that's the question I have after watching this movie.
I walked out of the theatre pretty jaded at the final part of the flick. While everything in this movie was well done, and mostly well acted...the lack of a story kills me!
Trust me, the opening plane scene is really dope, nobody would doubt that. Maybe the best bit of superhero on the big screen, and maybe the best "air" scene in movies I've seen.
But the rest is a downer after Supes shows off in the middle of a baseball game! What a great scene, but then it's on the the classic "MONTAGE!" of Supes back on the planet, rescuing gas station clerks and falling work-men.
Superman Returns should have been Lois Lane and husband Return...with Jimmy Olsen's stupid face and occasionally an even stupider (yet funnier) Clark Kent.
Finally Supes is portrayed as an eves-dropping, arch-back-flying, long-jesus-lettuce, show-off pussy. No American boy scout. No truth and justice. BOTTOM LINE: No Superman kicking ass!
Singer really loved showing off the flying FX. Holy crap, how many times did he go into space just to pose in slow motion for some bullet time, and then come blazing back to earth???!! Good FX, but enough already! How many times did he pose lifting something heavy over his head? It got old, real fast. That was it. No kick-ass fighting or any kind of threat!
Spacey is good, and does the job. But Harry's review makes the evil plan sound pretty incredible, when really the whole crystal island can be just lifted into space. Now, this is somehow done by the same Superman who just 20-mins. earlier couldn't blow up a balloon on the same kryptonite infested rock. Oh yeah, and Superman is required to do this heavy lifting after getting a beat-down by 3 thugs in the biggest piece of bullshit for a finale fight I've ever seen.
Exactly Harry, you reference the mad props to those of us who have waited for this movie - and we get a Superman beat down by Spacey and a couple of thugs? It was a cool moment, but I feel the bar has been raised and the ante is much higher for a 3rd act of a Superman film in 2006.
We've seen Neo and Smith battle to the extreme, and we all knew in the back of our minds the kind of fight we were expecting when Superman came back to the big screen.
Smallville is the best, and has created hundreds of "Oh, snap." moments for a Superman fan. This film comes close once.
It's a luke-warm start for a film who's best scene should have been saved for last. Have Superman "killed" by Lex after the same beat down and Krypto-stab. Then life without Superman and Lex living large on his new ROCK (Superman's biggest opponent in this movie. he lifts it. that's it.). THEN Superman can return to earth, make his grand entrance at the ballpark and learn about Lois and how boring she's become.
It is a well made film. Just not up to the high standards of other classics, and nowhere as good as Batman Begins. And for the record, I mostly liked and enjoyed X3. That movie did have some legendary scenes for X-men fans, and I walked out of the theatre on a totally positive buzz.
Today, I was smiling with a Spidey 3 teaser and the first half of Superman Returns. After that, it went downhill in a laughable way, turning into a different movie about the White clan, who have a naughty Super-secret. Oh man. -
Lucked into seeing this Saturday morning at Leicester Sq (a Time Wanrer promotion) a week ahead of the offical UK premiere, and it was absolutely class. Never have I been in an audience in a British cinema where the following happened: After the first big action sequence, people cheered and applauded - and when the film finished it was also greeted with enthusiastic applause. It was a real buzz just being there, everyone came out of there smiling - kids and adults - everyone seemed to love it. As for the running time, the guy next to me it could have gone on for 5 hours and he'd have loved it! Have to say - you really should see this on the big screen, its incredible. In an age where film-makers have access to all kinds of effects and CGI, it takes something to really get a crowd going - we've all had overkill in terms of big budget set pieces, but the first sequence is just superb, glad I wasn't the only one who felt like cheering! Brandon Routh and Kevin Spacey are superb as the two leads. Kate Bosworth was also excellent and I wasn't sure she'd 'fit' the role. But Routh was spooky at times, almost like he was channelling Christopher Reeve. Not in a bad way, not doing an impression - but his own take on Clark / Superman, but with tremendous respect for what has gone before. I was only a baby when the first 2 came out, so saw them on the telly (lots), and this just made me feel like a kid again - a superb job. See it! I will, again, when its out properly. Can't wait! After the mess that could have been "Superman Lives", "Superman I", "Superman and the case of the overbearing Producer" - it was a joy to see this reach the big screen in such a classy, respectful, fun and thrilling way - with no giant Spiders. Well done to all involved.
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How did Superman knock up Lois ? I mean, if all of his body parts are "super", wouldn't he have blown a hole right through her he had his "super climax" ? I know I'd be worried about that if I got a shot at Kate Bosworth, even if I'm not "super".
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Great movie. Too slow at start but really the first time I ever got to see a fully realised superman movie. Great scenes, great peril, great action. This is the best comic book super hero movie ever. hats off to all involved.
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Pirates is going to kill this film. Biggest ever opening and a much better film.
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Love to see you guys on an jury - "Well, he looks guilty...".
Get a grip you friggin losers. It's a film. In a post above, I saw some reference to 'not going to see SR' as being similar to 'not liking Adolf Hitler despite never having met him'. Which would have been more than bad enough. Except Adolf was spelled Adolph. Groan. And references to it being like Catwoman? Which got universally slammed from conception? Yeah, nice one- thats the same. Christ almighty, you're about as pathetic as those goons on craignotbond.com. Wah! The film doesn't have my favourite superhunk Tom Welling- Wah! Wah! Wah! I don't want to see it -
No-one else should either! Wah! Now I've no doubt that you've already posioned your own minds into hating this film, even if you did see it, but at least give it a chance?! I'd hate to go through life setting myself up to NOT enjoy things because I don't think they'll work.
And why hate a film that doesn't reference a mildly popular cult TV show? Because they aren't referencing a show with 5 years of history, that hardly anyone has seen? Because they instead reference two films that most people have seen? I friggin loved the film, everyone I was with loved it, everyone in the cinema was cheering and applauding and I've never seen that in a UK cinema. Its a spectacular film. The Casting is note perfect. The film is a joy and I'm going to go, again and again. At least My box-office tickets will make up for your pathetic boycott. -
I disagree with Harry's review. They totally screwed this up. Jon Peters strikes again! Mr. Singer did a poor job and I am not looking forward to the sequel. Harry, I was stunned that you loved it. The review over at Dark Horizons seems much more appropriate. Cheers!
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Cos I can't believe you hated the whole film, and if so, I presume you aren't fond of the Donner films. Anyone who liked them can't have hated this, surely.
Your comments above don't really tel us anything. 'I disagree', this was 'screwed up'. Forgive me if I'm wrong, I just get the sneaking suspicion that you haven't even seen this film. You've read the few bad reviews and gone with that because you're a) A Smallville fan (sad when a fan of the mythology of Superman doesn't like a Supes film) or b) One of those bizarre 'POTC2 will rule!' geeks. Who gives a crap about which film will take more at the Box Office? I can't understand why, unless you had a vested interest in SR or POTC2 - personal involvement say - that you'd give a crap. It does my head in. Why not rejoice in the fact that us geeks (and we all are geeks, coming here) get two potentially GREAT films this summer. Instead a ton of you bitch and whine, picking sides! Why not SR and POTC2 will rule! We've had a Superman film and a Pirate film within a couple of weeks and all people can do is get competitive about it?! This is the side of geeks I hate - the judgemental, on their high horse, uncompromising, whinging about things that aren't specifically to their tastes. The attacking of these films when they should be supported by this community. What a bizarre bunch of people. -
I did see the movie. I didn't go into detail b/c everyone else said pretty much what I felt. I have the write to express my opinion just as you did, with as much info as I wish to present. Parker Posey gave the best performance in the film. SHE should have played Lois Lane. Kate Bosworth portrayal lacked toughness and heart. She didn't care for Clark Kent like Margot Kidder did. We need to see that otherwise she just being indifferent and dismissive to him. And just because she gets knocked around in an airplane, that does not make her tough, Lois is tough. Did you see how skinny she was? Gimme a break. So, I could go on, but I won't. I don't care if you think I didn't see the film. I saw it and I didn't like it. I did see all the Donner films. This did not come near the first two. If you want to talk to me about this, I'll be happy to give you my email address.
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Jam Banjo I have to agree with hermisicoso on this one. I loved Superman 1 & 2 but Superman Returns was not close to either of them. Those movies were alive, filled with great actors, acting wonderfully.They made you believe a man could fly. Superman Returns felt void of life and story.The flying sequences looked liked they were airbrushed.They just didn't look right, it looked fake to me. But to be fair so did Spiderman and flying Neo in the Matrix. A good portion of the Superman 1's flying sequences looked better than Superman Returns. It might be because they used more live action back then. I thought Superman Returns was way too long and way too boring.Some scenes carried weight.(The sinking boat scene was very powerful and emotional, I liked it.)I hated the scene in the fortress where Supes got his ass handed to him. I also hated the scene in Superman 2 where he gets his ass handed to him in the diner.If Supes is only heroic when he has powers, who cares. It doesn't take much courage to face bullets when you can't be hurt by them. A real hero rises or attempts to rise to the challenge even at their weakest.They get it right in the Comic's and they got it right in Lois and Clark. The movies have a lot to learn.Lex's plot with the crystals would have made more sense if the created land didn't look totally uninviting. Luthor better have had one hell of a terra forming machine in his pocket cause I don't know anyone who would've wanted to live on that shit. I liked how he infused the land with Kryptonite so Supes couldn't live there.(Nice touch Singer)Although Singer's Superman had some nice touches it wasn't a complete movie experience as Superman 1 & 2 and not a worthy Successor either. All hope is not lost though they can rebound from this and make some pretty good sequels that deal with the Lois and Kid issues and hopefully make Clark a real person.
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X3 was just more FUN, despite its occasional cheeziness and missed opportunities. Except for one great set piece (the plane rescue), and some nice cgi flying / space shots (like the unconscious Superman re-entering the atmosphere like a flaming piece of space debris) SR was disappointing. Routh just didn't come across as that heroic to me. I hated to see him get the crap beaten out of him by Luthor's goons and then that look on his face like, well, sorta like a coward who realizes that w/o his superpowers he ain't got nothing. Which isn't true for Superman. I wanted to see him get angry (does he ever "really" get pissed in the whole film?), take a few swings back at the goons with human strength just to show that he can fight with or without superpowers. Routh just didn't give a lot to the role emotionally. I didn't buy his love for Lois either; he just seemed cold. Tightening up the film by about half an hour might've helped a _little_, but overall it just needed to be edgier.
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knossis: Fair enough, I understand some of your points and good to see someone not automatically see the bad in everything and see the possibilities of sequels... but seriously, I don't know how you think any flying sequence in SR wasn't as good as Superman I or II! They were great in their day man, but c'mon! The bluescreen is clear as day! And as for Luthor's land scheme, well its a matter of supply and demand - if thats the only land to live on, people would have to live there. He knows it isn't the most inviting but thats why he doesn't just try to make an island in the middle of the ocean, he plans to wipe out half the world in doing so.
knossis and pewterschmidt: As for the sequence where Supes is affected by the Kryptonite, he was fighting back despite being almost killed, and as soon as he recovers he takes a step that he knows is necessary, yet he also knows stands a good chance of killing him. No hesitation, no thought for himself. He knows he has to stop the growth of the land mass, and in doing so, he will expose himself to more Kryptonite. Damn heroic, to me.
pewterschimdt: I thought X3 was beyond average. Liked Beast, but that was about it. Too many rushed sequences, purely for shock value. The thing with Supes is he has to stay in control of his powers or else he'll kill someone. That's his sworn oath. Same as Batman. Doens't want to kill anyone - just hand them over to the police. When he's caught by Luthors goons, he's incredibly weakened, not even as strong as a human. He struggles and tries to fight back, but with no strength (not just no superpowers) its an impossible task.
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I'm just back from the cinema and I have to say I'm a little disappointed by superman returns. they got alot right-the look of the film is beautiful, brandon makes a great superman and the effects are pretty hot. But what really makes this movie suffer is that nothing is expanded upon or played out for long enough so the whole thing feels sketchy...almost like an idea for a movie rather than a finished one. Not one set-piece is left to play out for any length of time...like the final showdown.... lasts all of 2 minutes...the shuttle...all of 5. Its just a shame because I really think theyve got the right cast and the right director...hell I even liked the whole concept of the story and how it pushes the boundaries of what we see in a superman film...theres some really nice dilemmas in there. but I dunno...how can a 2 and a half hour movie feel like a 1/3 of a movie? I also think that superman having a son is going to be difficult to write into further movies but I like this enough to hope for a better sequel. Disappointing summer all round...man I cant get over how much of a mess POTC2 was....and last xmas we had king kong whcich was also a mess......shit! roll on indy 4,die hard and spidey....
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...is a 100 times more entertaining at its best than this. Routh was really good, Spacy was rubbish and my God, where was the magic? I'm so let down I can't even put my finger on it in words, but this was a very poor film in many ways. All that money and time and this is all Singer could come up with? Shame on you. I'm trying to convince myself this isn't Phantom Menace levels of suck, but in reality...
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That the only person who would be able to bear Superman's child would be wonderwoman!!! Supes child would kill a normal human woman, the first kick from baby supes would rip apart the womb. That is what ruined it for me, anyone with me?????
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Wasn't Superman meant to have not developed his powers till puberty?
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F69, that is exactly what my buddy said. But with exposure to the yellow sun before being born the baby would have some powers. I guess I wanted to see Supes and Wonderwoman hook up. Isn't that what happened in The Dark Knight Returns part 2?
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Am I the only person who thought Superman Returns is poor? Okay before anyone says it, it LOOKS good, its got a quality to it but like CGI nowadays, its not enough (in my opinion) to carry the film.
Whats good: Rouke picks up from Mr Reeves quite well and you can see he could nail the Reeves Clarke but then you don't see an awful lot of Supes alter ego.
Whats bad: Louis is too straight, too normal reporter, no spark of mischief...crap
The plot (SPOILER ALERT)
Lex's great plan is to build new land to make money but who the hell could live on what resembles a moutain top? No one lives in the desert cos its dead, nothing grows there. It woulda been better if he had done something with the advanced weapons he talked about but you never saw. Why not make himself like Superman or create a super advanced army, great set pieces commences, world armies fall at Lex's feet, he has taken over the world, then Superman returns and bam, its time to rock.
That woulda been a cool storyline and visually you would of had a field day, but instead we had inconistences!
Has anyone else seen it, what do you think? -
And holy shit, is it glacially paced. Sure, it's a good movie but it's incredibly dated and fairly dull by today's standards. I have to say I like Singer's new one better, flaws and all. The original is WAY more focused on the flirting and romance, the plot is WAY more corny and nonsensical, and Hackman's Luthor is a joke, not menacing at all. Not to mention Otis, and his cheesy tuba theme (reminded me of Snarf's theme from thundercats, and JW's use of similar cliches for both Jabba and Jar Jar). The whole theme of isolation and not really fitting in is straight out of the first movie, Supes's parents have a whole discussion of it when they send him off. Honestly, I think most of the flaws in Singer's film (other than just spending WAY too much, which isn't all his fault) come from following the original, not from making arbitrary changes. At this point, looks like it won't make it to $200M, meaning no sequel. That's a shame, this was a decent reboot and I would have liked to see where they went with it.
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I thought the movie was horrible...from the terrible costume (burgendy cape?!)to the snail like plotting...ponderous...the worst is the idea of the kid...SUPERMAN SHOULD NOT HAVE BABY MOMMA DRAMA, A BLENDED FAMILY OR ANY OF THAT CRAP...terrible idea...
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And its great. Lots of little and big beats that did not make it into the film. Can't wait for the DVD. I know a lot of people were disappointed with this film but Singer, Dougherty, and Harris all state that the film was not about Lex Luthor and his evil plan. They did not want to find the biggest, baddest villain to fight Superman. It was about a guy returning to home and finding his world changed. And for that I LOVED the film. For those out there who also liked or loved the film, the shooting script is definitely worth checking out.
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Finally got to see this the other day. Overall, I really liked it and would recommend it to anyone who is or was a fan of Superman. Brandon Routh and Kevin Spacey both nailed their parts.
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THERE IS NO SENSE OF DANGER AT THE CLIMAX OF THE MOVIE. Supes' takes some severe punishment, but even in a coma, Routh still looks prettier than most supermodels. I'd have liked to have seen him bloodied up a bit more, maybe some oozing sores, gray skin, and patchy baldness due to kryptonite exposure. And since when can Superman handle kryptonite barehanded and still function? Again, I really enjoyed the movie, but I might have loved it if it created more concern for Superman's well-being.
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why wasn't this movie PG? I know it's become standard for superhero movies to be rated PG-13, but there was really nothing in the movie that couldn't be seen or heard by four or five-year-old kids. It might test their attention span during the gushy parts, though.
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X3 for me was better. Superman Returns had some great moments but lots of bleargh ones as well.
Singer does not know how to pace an action movie.
Fuller review: http://www.rantatdapo.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=45 -
First?
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...time posting on this movie website for accountants. At least that's what I thought it was given all the talk about box office. Anyway, I love SR. Love it. Beautiful. Singer's take on Supes is how I envision him - a god like figure that is also somewhat sad and lonely. I liked the entire cast, loved the score (new and old bits), cinematography, everything. And I like the kid. Supes has been around for 70 years, more or less unchanged. If you're going to update him, make him relatable and vulnerable, what better way than to give him a child? Certainly better than a black suit, polar bear guards or a gay robot butler. And when he repeated Jor-El's speach to the kid at the end? Got me, it did. My only hope that Singer doesn't totally abandon the quiet, bittersweet tone of this film in favor of pyrotechnics for the sequel.
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Wonder if it really does need $200M for a sequel?
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Your comments to me about my review was uncalled for. If you had been informed correctly, you would have read all the complaints about Brandon Routh cast as Superman on other websites.Also,since the first photo of Brandon in the new costume was unvailed, there was an uproar over the changes that Bryan Singer ordered. And apparently you were unaware that Tim Burton was involved in the preproduction of a Superman film and his choice for Superman was Nicholas Cage.Can you see Nicholas Cage as the man of steel? Neither could the studio. Also, Wolfgang Peterson was set to direct a Superman film, but that was also scrapped. Bryan Singer was the right choice to direct this film and I am more than confident that the sequel will surpass Superman Returns. I have read a few of your comments, and it seems that you would not like anything that Byan Singer was involved in. So, my advice to you would be not to see any movie that Bryan Singer directed, because I am sure you would hate it before you see it. I'm done. Comment if you want, but I won't read it because you have nothing to say that I would be interested in reading.
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Superman Returns was the gayest superhero movie ever made. No action, lame romance, a wussy Superman that doesn't throw one punch. Who could seriously like this movie?
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dude, you are pompous, whiny and I have no idea what you are talking about.
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Do it!
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I am glad I came back to this.
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Hey
Your all probably preparing your Runescape Accounts to attack me but this is Real life
Anyway this Film was shockingly bad. Every Second made me regret ever being there. Superman Returns made me want to chew my own arm off! It was the most boring Film I have ever seen and only Geeks would like this in my Opinion!
Thanx
Jago -
I really liked it...... for what it's worth !
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and while I thought it wasn't as bad as many people thought, I had a real problem with 1) Supes spying on Lois for his own personal reason 2)Luthor's plan - as stated I'm sure my a zillion other talkbackers, dumb, dumb, dumb!!! 3) how can he lift the island with all that krptonite????
While not as bad as I thought, I didn't see the movie that Harry did. Batman Begins, another story...
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