Movie Title: Superman Returns.
Starring: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden, Parker Posey, Frank Langella, Sam Huntington, Marlon Brando, Kal Penn.
Time & Date of Showing: 6:15 pm showing on Sunday, July 2nd.
Theater Status: While I was surprised to see that only 75% of the theater was full during an opening weekend showing, this was the first movie of the summer to receive post-movie applause from the audience in my theater.
Movie Synopsis in One Sentence: After five years away, a young Superman returns to Earth and finds himself reacquainting with his family, friends, Lois Lane, and, of course, Lex Luther.
The Good: I am a HUGE Bryan Singer fan (he directed the first and second X-Men, as well as the amazing Usual Suspects) and he really delivered with this movie. The movie has a great degree of depth compared to various other 'superhero movies' that forget a movie is more than special effects. Of course, this movie also has some of best special effects of any movie I've ever seen; the airplane sequence literally left me gasping for air as I sat on the edge of my seat. In terms of the cast, Brandon Routh is a PERFECT match for the look, talk, and mannerisms of Superman, and the talented Kevin Spacey gives a great performance as the whimsically evil Lex Luther.
The Bad: The movie is over two and a half hours long, which is certainly longer than anyone expected (then again, you do get a lot of movie for your time). Certainly some casting issues, including Parker Posey (who I find a little annoying as an actress, mainly because she's so over-dramatic at delivering her lines), Kal Penn (who was given a role as one of Lex's henchman with no speaking lines, which could have been performed by any extra), and most importantly Kate Bosworth who really just gave an average performance as Lois Lane. Also, it felt like the script was weak at certain points (and I really can't remember any specific parts, but I just remember feeling like some of the lines were a little awkward during their delivery).
The Magic of Superman: It's time to put this whole "isn't it so obvious that Clark Kent is Superman" debate to rest. Yes, to the audience it is very, VERY obvious that Clark Kent is Superman, mainly because, aside from less shiny hair and a pair of glasses, they look exactly alike, they speak almost exactly alike (Superman adds a little bass to his voice), and Clark is ALWAYS disappearing right when Superman arrives. Ok, I get it. But, you have to consider that the people around Clark Kent see him as a bumbling klutz, so it is certainly hard for them to associate Clark with super-human qualities. Also, the Superman suit is certainly a distraction when it comes to comparing the looks of Clark Kent and Superman. Regardless, the MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is that the movie is about an alien from another plant that is faster than a speeding bullet charged with the duty to save the world from the evil plans of evil people...if you're watching a movie like this, do you REALLY have THAT much trouble suspending your intuition when it comes to the people around Clark Kent linking him to Superman?! I rest my case.
The Verdict: An incredible superhero movie with stunning visual effects and a dramatic story, matching (and potentially exceeding) the greatness of previous superhero franchises like the Spider-Man series.
If You Liked______, You May Like These Movies: Superman I & II, Spider-Man 1 & II, X-Men I & II.
FINAL GRADE: A-
1 comment:
I went on the evening of 29th and there were maybe 20 people in the theater in North Brunswick. Disheartening since it was such a great movie.
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