One thing I love about summer is the ever-present blockbuster. Even though disappointment comes easy, I still look forward to the big movies of summer. Superman Returns is an attempt to be that main blockbuster. It is successful.
I fall into a conundrum whenever I speak my mind about movies, usually. On one hand, I'm very critical, but part of me wants to be very forgiving. It's difficult because I want films to be good in every way. For movies like Superman, X-Men, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, I remind myself that these are action movies, BIG action movies that were made to be blockbusters. That means that any creativity was checked by money driven motives of studios and all the guys upstairs. They're made to appeal to the mass of moviegoers—the least common denominator effect—and that means that none of them will stray very far from the "proper" lines that define what these types of movies are supposed to deliver. Movies like The Deer Hunter or Lost in Translation are some of the best you'll see, but they're not nearly as popular or "successful" because a majority presume to judge those as slow and boring. So although it makes me mad that Superman and other movies will never live up to their potential, I try hard to forgive and forget the reasons why.
Superman is good, not quite as good as my wife thinks, but it is still a movie worth watching more than once. The animation and effects are great, but the sad thing is that they overrule the story and the execution thereof with the special effects, which is the way it should be. Kevin Spacey is usually great, and he was this time, too. Kate Bosworth shouldn't be Lois Lane. The movie is overly sentimental in parts, and I didn't really enjoy the Richard White slant to the story. Other than these criticisms, I really enjoyed Superman Returns and recommend all to see it . The special effects, despite what I said, are wonderful; it's simply nice to see Superman flying around again; and hearing the music from the 1978 Superman might just give you chills if you enjoyed Christopher Reeve's stint as the Man of Steel.
Commentary
Lindsey wrote:
Sometimes I feel as though you are too critical when it comes to movies. Usually I agree with you in theory, but don't feel it is as bad/too much of ____/too little ____/etc as you say.
This would be an exception to that normality. Yes, some of it was different than 1978, it had a bit more sentimentality than would be expected, and the Richard White bit came from left field. But I felt that these things were what set this movie apart from the old version; while the music, special effects, and plot held it to the original edition.
So, before anyone reads this post and links to mine; and begins to think that I am some over-emotional, unintelligent wimp, please note this comment.
July 2, 2006 02:11 PM
Brian wrote:
I didn't even intend to compare this movie with the 1978 Superman except the note about the music. Both are great in their own ways and I didn't want to compare them, really.
July 2, 2006 02:16 PM
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