Why the World Needs Superman
If you're reading this and you haven't seen "Superman Returns," go now. Log off the computer, take some of that sick time you've been saving from work, and catch a matinee in your local multiplex. You'll thank me when you get back I promise.
Not a Superman fan? Well, did you ever lie on your back as a child and dream of flying? Did you watch movies and wish you could save the girl and beat the bad guy? Did you daydream in class about the adventures you'd have if you ever got the chance? This movie is for you. There are two sections of this post. The first is for those that haven't seen the film, no spoilers just overall impressions on Singer's job with the Big Blue Boy Scout. The second section (which will be adequately marked) will feature my take on the story itself, including (necessarily) some spoilers. Again spoiler territory will be marked, and I beg you not to peak at that until you've seen the film.
1987 brought us the last image of Superman on film, although the quality of that final impression has been justly questioned. "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace" was a terrible movie. The first two Christopher Reeve Superman films however, were transcendent. They are largely responsible for the world's knowledge and love for the Last Son of Krypton. Bryan Singer understands that and uses it to full advantage.
When I heard that the first two Superman films would form a "vague backstory" for the new chapter, I didn't understand. I do now. Those films are much bigger than just the character of Superman. Superman is just another superhero, a character for dime comics and newspaper strips. But the film representation of Superman, as embodied by Christopher Reeve, was something else. Donner in those first two films captured the Messianic qualities of the character that his creators had never imagined. The world needs a savior. Donner knew it. Singer knows it. And he delivers in spades.
The film is beautiful. If you have the choice to see this film in a state-of-the-art high tech theater, or a discount establishment, do yourself the favor and splurge. It's worth the extra two bucks. Singer's previous films had mood by the bucketload but never before has the visual sophistication matched the emotional levels. Here there are moments that literally take your breath away. From the first big action set piece, to the final image the screen is full of life and (most importantly) light. Singer has had a habit of relying on the darkness but with "Returns" he fully embraces the light. Newton Thomas Sigel is again Singer's Cinematographer so new blood isn't to blame for the switch in focus. I imagine the subject just cried out for it. Superman is powered by our Sun after all, it only makes sense that some of that light would come out on film.
The performances are all solid, Frank Langella and Sam Huntington do superb jobs bringing to life Perry White, and Jimmy Olsen respectively. Both roles are iconic and have been done well before, but the actors live up to them nicely. James Marsden is fine in the thankless job of Lois Lane's other man, and Kate Bosworth brings her "A" game to the role of Lois. What you really want to know about though is the big two. Kevin Spacey isn't doing a Gene Hackman impression with his Lex Luthor, but he is genuinely funny at times. He is also frightening. Perhaps no other actor and role are more intertwined in the history of film than Christopher Reeve and Superman, but Brandon Routh, the young, mostly unknown, former Soap Opera star, fills out the tights nicely. Yes, I'm speaking figuratively. He doesn't make you forget Christopher Reeve, but why would you want to. If anything this film is about remembering. Remembering what it was like the first time you saw a plane take off. The first time you read a comic. The first time you saw a movie. The first time you watched Superman fly into the sunset. If that sounds like something you want to remember, then do yourself a favor. Go now. Superman has returned. Rating A+
@@@@@@Spoilers Ahead@@@@@@Spoilers Ahead@@@@@@Spoilers Ahead@@@@@@
Now that you've seen the film (and you better have seen the film), let's discuss a few critical points. One really. The kid. Tristan Lake Leabu is the little boys name, and to me he just carried his first film. In the first few minutes of the film, we hear Marlon Brando's monologue..."My life will be seen through your eyes, and your life through mine. The Son becomes the Father and Father becomes Son"... That's what this movie is about, and it's all on the shoulders of Tristan Lake Leabu. There he is on Luthor's yacht, helpless, gasping for breath, watching his mother's murder with no chance to stop it... but he does have a chance. He doesn't have to gasp for breath, he doesn't have to watch his mother die. He can be the hero. He was born to be the hero.
None of us dreamed as children of working a nine to five, pushing papers and filling out forms. No one ever longed for the day they could report a one-third percentage increase in sales to the home office. We dreamed of saving the day, righting wrongs, being stronger than we were. We dreamed of Superman. Brian Singer has done a wonderful thing with this film. He has given us room to dream. I for one plan to enjoy it. 'Till next time, I'll see you at the movies.
Not a Superman fan? Well, did you ever lie on your back as a child and dream of flying? Did you watch movies and wish you could save the girl and beat the bad guy? Did you daydream in class about the adventures you'd have if you ever got the chance? This movie is for you. There are two sections of this post. The first is for those that haven't seen the film, no spoilers just overall impressions on Singer's job with the Big Blue Boy Scout. The second section (which will be adequately marked) will feature my take on the story itself, including (necessarily) some spoilers. Again spoiler territory will be marked, and I beg you not to peak at that until you've seen the film.
1987 brought us the last image of Superman on film, although the quality of that final impression has been justly questioned. "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace" was a terrible movie. The first two Christopher Reeve Superman films however, were transcendent. They are largely responsible for the world's knowledge and love for the Last Son of Krypton. Bryan Singer understands that and uses it to full advantage.
When I heard that the first two Superman films would form a "vague backstory" for the new chapter, I didn't understand. I do now. Those films are much bigger than just the character of Superman. Superman is just another superhero, a character for dime comics and newspaper strips. But the film representation of Superman, as embodied by Christopher Reeve, was something else. Donner in those first two films captured the Messianic qualities of the character that his creators had never imagined. The world needs a savior. Donner knew it. Singer knows it. And he delivers in spades.
The film is beautiful. If you have the choice to see this film in a state-of-the-art high tech theater, or a discount establishment, do yourself the favor and splurge. It's worth the extra two bucks. Singer's previous films had mood by the bucketload but never before has the visual sophistication matched the emotional levels. Here there are moments that literally take your breath away. From the first big action set piece, to the final image the screen is full of life and (most importantly) light. Singer has had a habit of relying on the darkness but with "Returns" he fully embraces the light. Newton Thomas Sigel is again Singer's Cinematographer so new blood isn't to blame for the switch in focus. I imagine the subject just cried out for it. Superman is powered by our Sun after all, it only makes sense that some of that light would come out on film.
The performances are all solid, Frank Langella and Sam Huntington do superb jobs bringing to life Perry White, and Jimmy Olsen respectively. Both roles are iconic and have been done well before, but the actors live up to them nicely. James Marsden is fine in the thankless job of Lois Lane's other man, and Kate Bosworth brings her "A" game to the role of Lois. What you really want to know about though is the big two. Kevin Spacey isn't doing a Gene Hackman impression with his Lex Luthor, but he is genuinely funny at times. He is also frightening. Perhaps no other actor and role are more intertwined in the history of film than Christopher Reeve and Superman, but Brandon Routh, the young, mostly unknown, former Soap Opera star, fills out the tights nicely. Yes, I'm speaking figuratively. He doesn't make you forget Christopher Reeve, but why would you want to. If anything this film is about remembering. Remembering what it was like the first time you saw a plane take off. The first time you read a comic. The first time you saw a movie. The first time you watched Superman fly into the sunset. If that sounds like something you want to remember, then do yourself a favor. Go now. Superman has returned. Rating A+
@@@@@@Spoilers Ahead@@@@@@Spoilers Ahead@@@@@@Spoilers Ahead@@@@@@
Now that you've seen the film (and you better have seen the film), let's discuss a few critical points. One really. The kid. Tristan Lake Leabu is the little boys name, and to me he just carried his first film. In the first few minutes of the film, we hear Marlon Brando's monologue..."My life will be seen through your eyes, and your life through mine. The Son becomes the Father and Father becomes Son"... That's what this movie is about, and it's all on the shoulders of Tristan Lake Leabu. There he is on Luthor's yacht, helpless, gasping for breath, watching his mother's murder with no chance to stop it... but he does have a chance. He doesn't have to gasp for breath, he doesn't have to watch his mother die. He can be the hero. He was born to be the hero.
None of us dreamed as children of working a nine to five, pushing papers and filling out forms. No one ever longed for the day they could report a one-third percentage increase in sales to the home office. We dreamed of saving the day, righting wrongs, being stronger than we were. We dreamed of Superman. Brian Singer has done a wonderful thing with this film. He has given us room to dream. I for one plan to enjoy it. 'Till next time, I'll see you at the movies.
posted by Daddy Rogue at 11:06 PM
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