Re: Superman - Summer 2006
Okay, took in an IMAX viewing, and the 3D is more hit, and not too much of a miss (when the action gets a little too fast, my eyes were going crossed-eyed at times), and so enjoyable nonetheless, and the final fly-by in 3D right before the credits is worth the price of admission for me. Damn, that was just sweet. I really enjoyed the IMAX presentation both visually and aurally. The sound effects were impressively presented and added to the power and majesty that were the super-feats on display in the film. I encourage anyone who has access to an IMAX theater to see this film on an IMAX screen.
For me, the film was paced better the second time around . I wasn't caught up with the expectations of some massive build-up throughout the film, but sat back and just soaked in all the scenes, and enjoyed the journey.
The crowd applauded loudly at the end of the film. That was gratifying to see and hear in person.
I figured out how IMAX fit 157 minutes of film into IMAX's limitation of 150 minutes runtime: They simply shortened the huge list of credits at the end of the film. I was going to watch the credits to the very end, but it ended within 2-3 minutes of the final shot from the film, while the regular theatrical cut ran the other 7 minutes of credits (and more musical scores).
I didn't realize that Lady Vanderworth was Noel Neill (one of George Reeves' Lois Lanes), but definitely picked out Jack Larsen (Jimmy Olsen) as the bartender. Richard Branson was one of the space shuttle pilots.
The heels of Superman's boot have the "S" symbol molded into them. Geez, Supes is a little obsessed with his family "S"-crest, eh?
One of the big scrabble words was "alienation"
Loved how Ma Kent's words about Clark "being the last of his kind, but he wasn't alone" came full circle when the presence of Jason changes Kal-el's perspective and life immeasurably. The same goes for Jor-el's words at the beginning and Kal-el saying them to Jason at the end.
There's a really great shot of Routh as Superman, it's during the Lois-Superman flight, and Superman is talking about hearing that people do want someone to save them, and the lighting of Routh's face is just amazing. It was like an Alex Ross painting, but better.
Definitely chuckled at the Addis Ababa, Ethiopia reference for the K-rock that Lex stole from the museum.
Loved the quick shot of "The Usual Suspect" lineup shot of Lex and his cronies in the basement of the Vanderworth house. Priceless.
James Marsden can't catch a break, always playing second fiddle (first in X-Men, now SR).
Routh plays Clark by pretty much making weird mouth movements/expressions. Thus, his "Clark" now has these tics incorporated into the performance, which can be a little disconcerting at times when Clark is on-screen, and he can come off more 2D than 3D. I don't think Routh gives Clark that octave-higher voice that Reeve did with his "Clark", which I would have liked, but it might not be in Routh's vocal repetoire. But when Routh speaks in his low voice to Jason in his room, it really sounded soothing and commanding.
If you pay attention to Lois's hairline, you'll see that it's all over the place within the film because it's a wig, and the hair/makeup person sometimes covered up more forehead, and other times exposed a lot of forehead (rivalling Klingon forehead space at times).
The fact that Lois can't even rattle off anything that Clark is passionate about gives you an idea that Clark is still vanilla to just about anyone working at the Daily Planet and lacks a hook for relatability. Sure, Clark is a good reporter, but after hours is where he's pretty much still a black hole, even to co-workers. I would like to see Clark more developed in the next installment.
I'm not all that put off by Superman's "unethical" eavesdropping on Lois and Richard. The man's been away for 5 years, he needs the drop on the 411! Plus, Superman hears so much, it's just a matter of filtering out the noise for the signal.
Quote:
Again, Lois. Lois is a great character, a GREAT person. I understand the need to make her a little brittle with her last five years. But I think they went way overboard. Her first appearance is as a bitchy TV reporter. She's completely dismissive (as opposed to comically dismissive) of Clark. It was off-putting.
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I am going to disagree with Chuck's characterization of Lois in the film. Go see it again, and really pay attention, it's not bitchiness she's exhibiting on the plane, it's being assertive. Sure, later she's on the scent of the right story (the EMP), but her editor keeps pushing on her the one topic she wants desperately to avoid. She's annoyed, but not a bitch. Clark's been off the radar for Lois for quite a long time, he shows up and Lois is supposed to just slide right into her "comically dismissive" schtick with him? That's unrealistic given her circumstances now. Again, watch the film again, I think you're projecting something that just isn't on the screen.
The simple utterance of the word "relationship" by Clark (after Perry forces Lois to cover Superman while Clark gets the story she wanted by default) is something that caused Clark all sorts of internal turmoil. It's like that scene with Bruce Wayne and Vicki Vale in "Batman" where Bruce has such a hard time uttering "I'm Batman, I'm Batman, I'm Batman" to Vicki.
As the return to Metropolis for Clark gets rolling, at the core, the Donner version of Clark has really only wanted to win over Lois by being Clark not Superman, but he's now got Richard to also deal with, and Lois has a right to be a little put off by Clark clumsy attempts to interject himself back in her life, who comes back and expects to pick up where their "work" relationship left off 5 years ago, but things change, other people take priority in the here and now. As it stands, Clark's stuck in a worse place than the Phanton Zone, he's in the "friend-from-a-half-decade-ago" zone. But as the film concludes, I can see Clark backing off of "courting" Lois, knowing that Richard is a good man, and would be a good father for his son, and provides the stability that Superman could not. These are the changes that bridge the Donner films with the Singer films. It's a subtle changing of the guard, and I don't have the problems with couching such a re-launch of the Superman film franchise within the beats of the Donner films. It think it's rather respectful of such good source material and inspiration, while paving new ground for future installments.
As to themes, the title is Superman Returns, but returns to what? He left because earth didn't have what he needed for his own persistent existence. Sure, he could save people 24/7, but altruism only goes so far for so long. Now, with the revelations, Superman has a reason to stay, to continue to retain his link to humanity.
I think Superman almost has to be more iconic, and change has to come from the people around him, who are inspired by him. That he doesn't have a massive character arc in his film missed why Superman has endured for so long in media. Pete-D talks about these changes that take place with Lois in the film, and he's right. Superman is more catalyst for change/inspiration because of his altruistic nature, willing to do for others who can't do for themselves. Note the effort by the hospital staff in doing what they can to nurse the man of steel back to health, and the crowds of well-wishers. Superman has this intangible way of getting people to want to do better and be better people. Superman is here not only to save the day, but help people be better version of themselves.
There were cheers for the Spider-Man 3 trailer.
