Superman Returns (2006)

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by jess1581

Superman Returns is a frustration for me. I'm a fan of the classic Reeve movies and can even watch 3 and 4. So I appreciate Returns' evident affection for Donner's aesthetic. Bryan Singer put together a loving tribute, and a top notch technical presentation.

On the other hand, it is also TOO MUCH of an homage. Bryan Singer approached it more as a fan than a filmmaker which I believe limited his imagination. Routh was fine as Superman, though I think he was under utilized. Bosworth was just plain WRONG for Lois. Parker Posey would have made a better Lois than Luthor's babe. Spacey however was spot on as Lex Luthor.

I do also think the action feels more obligatory than exhilarating. The plane sequence was impressive, but beyond that there just wasn't enough wow factor.

The running time is also strenuous at 154 minutes. It could have used a much tighter pace. There's an alternate opening scene of Superman in his ship scoping out the ruins of his home world. They should have kept it in as it was a much better intro for Kal El. If anything most of the deleted scenes were of better use than what was kept in.

3/5 because it is a competently made film and entertaining to a point, but Singer should have dialed back his fandom and focused on making a more original worthwhile Superman film to justify his "return".

I agree with pretty much all of this. I can't believe that deleted opening wasn't in the movie, it's great. I really hope someday we get a new disc with that scene able to be watched at the front. Lois Lane casting, weak action/climax I also fully agree with. The somber tone is unique and I like it somewhat, but it perhaps was a little overdone.

It's an enjoyable movie but flawed. Like so, so many before and after it. The classics are classics for a reason.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I agree with pretty much all of this. I can't believe that deleted opening wasn't in the movie, it's great. I really hope someday we get a new disc with that scene able to be watched at the front. Lois Lane casting, weak action/climax I also fully agree with. The somber tone is unique and I like it somewhat, but it perhaps was a little overdone.

It's an enjoyable movie but flawed. Like so, so many before and after it. The classics are classics for a reason.

I also blame fans' love with the Donner imagination of the character for the explosive backlash against Snyder and Cavill.

*runs away and hides*

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

I also blame fans' love with the Donner imagination of the character for the explosive backlash against Snyder and Cavill.

*runs away and hides*

I'm sure that's part of it. It also clashes with the comics, which reportedly always portray him as happy, light and fluffy. I never read them, that's just what the rabid angry people in the comment sections usually say.

There's other factors too though. Some people just really hate Snyder for various reasons. The current hip style is the Marvel snark and colorful style, which the DC movies so far are the opposite of. There's also the fact the movie does have flaws, which if any of the above bothers you then you will tend to focus on.

[Geoff D]

As has been said (but I might as well join in becuz internet echo chamber), Returns is at once a gooey-eyed love letter to the Donner movies and also does its own Mopeyman thing and the two styles don't really mesh. Same thing goes with the production design, it's got this big art deco vibe but is clearly set in present day, again it just doesn't quite mesh together.

I do still like the movie a fair old bit though, the airplane sequence remains the single best action sequence that Singer's ever put together and is also a highlight for Superman's on-screen adventures too IMO. Ottman's music is excellent too.

Man, I really hope Warners release this on UHD someday as I can't stand the creaky bit-starved HD DVD encode that's currently residing on the Blu-ray. This may have been shot on 1080p Genesis but it was still a 35mm-sized sensor and it doesn't have a Bayer array like most modern digital cameras, it's got plenty there when it comes to the inevitable UHD upscale - but I'd kill for just a better encode!

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by Batmon77

Kidder has the best spunk and (great raspy voice) of Lois, but isnt very attractive in my book.

Shot'Em.....

Lois Lane was not suppose to look like a gorgeous, beauty pageant queen. Her character was meant to look like an average, plain Jane woman, which is probably why Margot Kidder was chosen to play Lois Lane because she naturally looked the part. The casting director for Superman didn't want to cast a pretty, beautiful woman for Lois Lane. Personally I though Margot Kidder was perfect for Lois Lane! Many actors and actresses were turned down certain roles for movies because they were too pretty or handsome, unless they were cast anyway just for eye candy for moviegoers to see and lust over on the big screen.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I'm sure that's part of it. It also clashes with the comics, which reportedly always portray him as happy, light and fluffy. I never read them, that's just what the rabid angry people in the comment sections usually say.

There's other factors too though. Some people just really hate Snyder for various reasons. The current hip style is the Marvel snark and colorful style, which the DC movies so far are the opposite of. There's also the fact the movie does have flaws, which if any of the above bothers you then you will tend to focus on.

"Gosh Lois " Clark wouldn't be realistic in today's world.

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by Batmon77

She Lois's mom on the train when Superboy/Clark runs by in Superman I.

She also played Gertrude ( not the boat! ) in Superman Returns.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Lois Lane was not suppose to look like a gorgeous, beauty pageant queen. Her character was meant to look like an average, plain Jane woman, which is probably why Margot Kidder was chosen to play Lois Lane because she naturally looked the part. The casting director for Superman didn't want to cast a pretty, beautiful woman for Lois Lane. Personally I though Margot Kidder was perfect for Lois Lane! Many actors and actresses were turned down certain roles for movies because they were too pretty or handsome, unless they were cast anyway just for eye candy to see and lust over on the big screen.

I believe you but Superman is THE ubermensch, it's not realistic with all the women in the universe he'd pick a human female that's not at least moderately attractive. Lois is also spunky and tough and brilliant, all of which of course drew Clark in but she's also(always been to me anyway, Kidder aside) at least moderately attractive.

[Ray_Rogers]

My two cents is Brandon Routh is far better as Ray Palmer/The Atom in the Arrowverse compared to his stint as a recast Christopher Reeve version of Superman.
But I'm glad I have this movie with the UK release of the SUPERMAN Anthology.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

My two cents is Brandon Routh is far better as Ray Palmer/The Atom in the Arrowverse compared to his stint as a recast Christopher Reeve version of Superman.
But I'm glad I have this movie with the UK release of the SUPERMAN Anthology.

That's because he's closer to being Bizarro than any other man to take up the name on the big or small screen.

[StingingVelvet]

I thought Margot Kidder was pretty good looking in the first movie, honestly. Like Marion in Raiders of the Lost Ark she isn't a beauty model but has a working girl kind of charm to her. It was the sequels where she started looking a little too old and substance happy.

[Batmon77]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Lois Lane was not suppose to look like a gorgeous, beauty pageant queen. Her character was meant to look like an average, plain Jane woman, which is probably why Margot Kidder was chosen to play Lois Lane because she naturally looked the part. The casting director for Superman didn't want to cast a pretty, beautiful woman for Lois Lane. Personally I though Margot Kidder was perfect for Lois Lane! Many actors and actresses were turned down certain roles for movies because they were too pretty or handsome, unless they were cast anyway just for eye candy for moviegoers to see and lust over on the big screen.

Every other version of Lois is cast as attractive and Lios is supposed to be plain Jane?
Thats nonsense.
Do u mean that what Donner wanted?

The first Lois was a pin-up model.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Batmon77

Her career was dead after Superman.

Not tru. She didnt start falling off until the 90's after she had a nervous breakdown. She did many films after Superman. Also how can anyone say she wasnt gorgeous?




Got Em!!

[dadaluholla]

Margot Kidder has always looked like a bag of rotten vegetables to me

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Also how can anyone say she wasnt gorgeous?

Basically like this: she wasn't gorgeous. Not even remotely. The words you're looking for are "skeletal" and "homely".

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by dadaluholla

Margot Kidder has always looked like a bag of rotten vegetables to me

So, sorta compost-lite?

No idea why Singer had to make an alternate Superman III and IV with RETURNS. Would've been much better if he adapted Kingdom Come, Red Son or Secret Identity cause of Elseworlds. But nope, had to continue on with the Silver and Bronze Age version from the Donnerverse instead of doing something new which is Man of Steel.
Cause there's dozens if not hundreds of different versions of Superman.

[Geoff D]

JJ's 'Flyby' script sounded nuts, but the bigger problem is that McG would've been directing it!

[captveg]

I may have said this in the thread before, but I really like Superman Returns as a capstone to the earlier Reeve films. It's flawed, but I enjoy it.

I'm glad they moved into a different direction with Man of Steel & the DCEU, though. Those look forward, not backwards.

[zman73]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

Basically like this: she wasn't gorgeous. Not even remotely. The words you're looking for are "skeletal" and "homely".

She was in playboy in the 70's too... I thought she looked decent in it, minus the 70's bush which was the norm... though these days I tend to think of the unhinged slightly insane woman she became later on before anything

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

Basically like this: she wasn't gorgeous. Not even remotely. The words you're looking for are "skeletal" and "homely".

Originally Posted by dadaluholla

Margot Kidder has always looked like a bag of rotten vegetables to me

Stay classy guys.