Post by atp on Sept 17, 2013 16:44:32 GMT -5
I just watched Superman Returned. I liked it. I can't all that much more than the other reviewers, but will say that it is vastly better to the theatrical movie. The simple act of erasing the stupid mansion opening scene was a great improvement. And focusiing on Clark/Kal-El for the first 20 - 30 minutes really was a great idea too.
Unfortunately, nothing can change the fact that Bosworth and Spacey were both awful in their roles. That's not your fault though, so there's no point talking about it further.
There are just a couple of things I'll suggest that could have been improved, and then I'll talk more about what I liked best.
a) It was a great idea to show the Brando footage at the beginning (pre-credits). Much better than the stupid postcard summary that we got in the theatrical. However, I would have liked to have even more of a recap. Specifically, I think it needed a bit of Jor-El talking to the council about the planet exploding. I also would have liked to see the baby's spaceship launching so that it's clear that the baby got sent to earth.
b) I never liked the scenery in the opening credits. Looks too cartoonish and bouncy. I would have preferred the background to be more like that which STM used.
c) At the very end, I wish the awful CGI Routh flying footage was gone totally. I'd have much preferred it if he said goodnight to Lois and then straight away gone to the earth flyby. In other words, exactly the same as when he said goodnight to the warden in STM.
d) A very minor point: When Superman is flying into space, I think Glen Ford saying, "One thing I do know son is that you are here for a reason" would have fit better than Brando saying, "Even though you've been raised as a human being, you are not one of them."
Surprisingly, I don't have a problem with "It's deadly... to him." It's become a classic line, just like, "My son was in the bus. He saw. What Clark did"!
As for what I liked best about the new cut, it is the way the structure mirrors STM much more closely. Both films begin with Kal-El in a spaceship coming to Earth from Krypton. Then we get some proper time seeing him in Smallville interacting with his parent(s). Then it's Metropolis where he meets Lois. (By the way, having him meet her as Clark first was a great move!) Then a big rescue. Then Lex's plan etc. etc. etc.
The way it flows now, it is like a remake of STM, but at the same time also a sequel. It's the same story pretty much, but takes place in a world that has moved on. And it gives the series closure.
If you think about it, the relationship between Superman Returned and STM is the same as that between Rocky Balboa and the first Rocky movie! Rocky Balboa is essentially the same story as Rocky, but the characters and the world have changed. And Rocky no longer has Adrian, just as Superman no longer has Lois.
So in summary, I definitely think this movie is much better than Superman Returns. I also (surprisingly) find myself liking Routh more than Cavill.
In closing, Mr Tomahawk please, try to work your editing magic on MoS next. Try to do it please!
Unfortunately, nothing can change the fact that Bosworth and Spacey were both awful in their roles. That's not your fault though, so there's no point talking about it further.
There are just a couple of things I'll suggest that could have been improved, and then I'll talk more about what I liked best.
a) It was a great idea to show the Brando footage at the beginning (pre-credits). Much better than the stupid postcard summary that we got in the theatrical. However, I would have liked to have even more of a recap. Specifically, I think it needed a bit of Jor-El talking to the council about the planet exploding. I also would have liked to see the baby's spaceship launching so that it's clear that the baby got sent to earth.
b) I never liked the scenery in the opening credits. Looks too cartoonish and bouncy. I would have preferred the background to be more like that which STM used.
c) At the very end, I wish the awful CGI Routh flying footage was gone totally. I'd have much preferred it if he said goodnight to Lois and then straight away gone to the earth flyby. In other words, exactly the same as when he said goodnight to the warden in STM.
d) A very minor point: When Superman is flying into space, I think Glen Ford saying, "One thing I do know son is that you are here for a reason" would have fit better than Brando saying, "Even though you've been raised as a human being, you are not one of them."
Surprisingly, I don't have a problem with "It's deadly... to him." It's become a classic line, just like, "My son was in the bus. He saw. What Clark did"!
As for what I liked best about the new cut, it is the way the structure mirrors STM much more closely. Both films begin with Kal-El in a spaceship coming to Earth from Krypton. Then we get some proper time seeing him in Smallville interacting with his parent(s). Then it's Metropolis where he meets Lois. (By the way, having him meet her as Clark first was a great move!) Then a big rescue. Then Lex's plan etc. etc. etc.
The way it flows now, it is like a remake of STM, but at the same time also a sequel. It's the same story pretty much, but takes place in a world that has moved on. And it gives the series closure.
If you think about it, the relationship between Superman Returned and STM is the same as that between Rocky Balboa and the first Rocky movie! Rocky Balboa is essentially the same story as Rocky, but the characters and the world have changed. And Rocky no longer has Adrian, just as Superman no longer has Lois.
So in summary, I definitely think this movie is much better than Superman Returns. I also (surprisingly) find myself liking Routh more than Cavill.
In closing, Mr Tomahawk please, try to work your editing magic on MoS next. Try to do it please!
