Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by RGA (A) on July 20, 2006 at 08:18:02

In Reply to: the worst Superman movie... posted by Mr Underhill on July 19, 2006 at 14:06:11:

The difference between Batman and Superman though is very large. Batman is a humourless brooding character and Batman Begins was the only one of the Batman films I would recommend. Though Jack Nicholson was fun to watch but the rest of the film was utter caca.

Clark was hired sie unseen -- they needed someone and Clark Kent was there. Being a clutz and doing the job properly didn't pull me out of the original Superman -- Reeves actually portrayed a dual personality which really could have you believe that the glasses were not the only thing separating Superman from Clark Kent. I can;t say that about Routh. Remember Superman is the only major comic hero who is originally the superhero who is PRETENDING to be a human being.

Spiderman, Batman, etc are regular folks who put on a suit to become the superhero.

With Superman -- He IS Superman first and is trying to separate himself from anyone thinking he is superman by playing the fool. Reeves IMO is so far and away the better actor in this role -- Routh is a cardboard persoanilty wanting stiff trying to be Reeves playing Superman.

And as much as Routh was a completely banal uninteresting dead weight in the lead role -- he was actually the LEAST of the film's problems. Lois Lane was completely buthered -- this Pulitzer winner who FIVE years ago was at the Daily planet (and had been there fore many years) has a 5 year old son (who looks 8) is so completely miscast that it is a travesty. Lois here is such a wussy putz that believing she is a tough as nails reporter really makes you have to suck out your brain. Margot Kidder may not have been the prettiest cookie in the jar but despite her spelling errors you could at least believe she would be a rugged news reporter. Her replacement is one of the biggest flops of Superman Returns and her character is so important for this film to work that the whole thing is lost with her.

Which brings us to the casting -- why are these 25 year olds in this film? It is completely insulting to believe these people have any sort of weathered life experience and does not even fit with the 5 year absence. Te kid plot line also shot down any real vibrant play between Lois and Clark or Superman and Lois. Now we get this stupid family 3 way + kid story that took any fizzle out of the picture that could have remained.

Then we have Lex Luthor which was a complete and utter mess. I probably like Kevin Spacey about as much as he can be liked in the acting world -- more than most people here I bet, and he just doesn't work. I don't blame him - in a better film with a better script he could have done a better job -- Hackman played it partly for laughs -- more of egomaniac and bordering insane -- and yes for comic relief. I'll take it over the stupid Christian religious Jesus overtones of the new film any day of the week.

Special effects -- Margot Kidder is on the rooftop with the helicopter and she is dangling over the side -- this scene has tension and a wonderful concluding moment as Superman Saves her. The replacement scene in the new film is this tired plane goingto crash onto a basbelall field -- the effects are better, the effects are longer -- no tension and it was overall kind of stupid.

Music -- The original score was so much better and here they jacked it up and bash you over the head to say "this is really important" but it again is just loud and abnoxious. I am one of the few who really likes the Superman Themes -- especially the one where Kidder recites "Can you read my mind" -- the replacement music here is overbearing and impatient which must be for the video game minded.

I get the sense that this film can't stand still long enough to be in the same scene with itself for fear of being noticed for it's banality.

Superman III was terrible as well but IMO it's still better than this film. I understand to some extent that the Original Superman played it for laughs a number of times -- Clark Kent walking across the street and a cab hits him and breaks the car -- but to me that is part of the fun in watching this film -- the word FUN. I don't want the lead character to be a boring banal Jesus character. I want him to be an Alien fish out of water trying to fit in and not let anyone think he is Superman. Reeves does it SUPERBLY. Even he could not save the last two dregs.

Donner had a clue as to how to make films have a sense of wonder and joy about them. Ditto for the first two Lethal Weapon films.

I liked Superman II more than part one.

And for the record I think the best Comic book film I have seen so far is Spiderman II -- if it were not for being a comic book movie it may just be the smartest love story Hollywood has doled out in 15 years.