Superman Returns, the nonspoilery review

[trinityvixen]

Very enjoyable. I felt that all of the two+ hours were well spent, something that I think Singer does very well, never wasting a shot. It's very pretty, and the CG, though still noticeable in many places, was impressive. darkling1 pointed out that Superman's cape moved as fluidly as you'd expect it to, which is a hard sell. I especially loved the flying poses Superman adopted--they remind me of the more graceful arcs that someone unbound by gravity could easily loop through. A lot less stiff than any live-action Superman flight to date. It reminded me heavily of the poses you'd see the animated or drawn Superman do: pointed toes on take off, arms floated out to one side or tucked expediently to one side or another.

There was so much tribute to the first two films, that I would recommend seeing one or both before you go. The kid (and boy, he does look young) playing Superman does an admirable job, though I still cannot shake my love and faith for Christopher Reeve in the dual roles. I will say that the cinematic versions of Superman have done the best job making the two characters of Clark Kent and Superman look different enough that I think some people who knew both would be fooled into thinking they were different people (OH NOES! I SPOILED!).

Really, my impression that lasted through to today? I want to give Superman a hug. There's a tremendous, seeping melancholy suffused through the film that makes you ache for the Big S, and in that much at least, the cast and crew have done a fantastic job with what is sort of an otherwise average (plot-wise) but touching tribute. I cannot say I loved loved loved the film (I cannot say that about any Superman movie, to be fair), but I enjoyed every minute and wouldn't be opposed to seeing it again. Plus, I have that free ticket from buying Superman the Animated Series Volume 3. Woo!

Comments

[droidguy1119.livejournal.com]

As long as you know Ghost Rider is going to be a masterpiece of stupidity.

And in case you haven't heard (and thusly you haven't wanted to kill yourself), Fantastic Four 2 is officially called Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer. Hopefully we can both agree that that's a terrible title even if you didn't loathe the film like I did (too distracted by another masterpiece of stupidity, the 1994 Fantastic Four).

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

I have no qualms about saying that, visual effects other than Johnny Blaze's head aside, the only thing Ghost Rider had going for it was the CG (the bike and whip-chain thing looked kinda cool). Masterpiece of stupidity sounds about right.

As for the FF sequel, I really cannot ask for much. I enjoyed the first one way more than I should have (like I said when I originally reviewed it, it had all the elements that should have made me hate it--the angsty monster guy, the snarky young guy, the bimbette that is somehow worth fighting for--yet I didn't). I definitely agree that throwing Silver Surfer in there is just stupid, putting it in the title even more so.

And now that I've seen Superman Returns I can go read your review :)

[droidguy1119.livejournal.com]

There's also this but I suppose you can't read it and I'm afraid there's some off-topic hyping of your sworn enemy.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

Look, I don't hate Keira Knightly. I only hate that she butchered Pride and Prejudice, okay?

And the fact that she isn't really acting in anything I've seen her in. Or at least not trying to act...

But for most of her roles, that's been okay (I don't have a problem with Elizabeth Swann! Really!).

And no, I can't read that yet :)

[droidguy1119.livejournal.com]

Okay, okay. Maybe it's just the volume of hatred you have for her in Pride & Prejudice that leads to be getting confused...

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

Yes, that hatred is voluminous, probably depthlessly so. But most people I know would say that only means I have taste.