Supa-man

[Black.Ice]

Superman comes out tomorrow, and my cousins want to go see it. I never was a big fan of Superman, but a few of my cousins who are older than me love it, and want to see it. One thing that always bothered me about the series is that he takes off his glasses, and people can't recognize him. :)

From the previews, it looks like a decent movie. However, I don't think it'll do as well as X-Men or Spiderman. I think they're hyping it up too much, and I have a feeling that's a sign that the movie is bad. Anyone remember the Hulk?

So, I'll probably go see it this weekend. For anyone that does see it, feel free to post what you thought of it. For the rest of you, how do you think the movie is going to do? Will it flop, excel, or just be an average movie?

[Nuts]

I'm going to see it in about 3 hours. We'll see if my prior criticisms prove to be correct. I hope I'm wrong.

[Neo]

I would like to go see it for the following reason:

To see explosions and/or
Destruction and/or
Kickassery

I don't really plan to see an awesome plot or anything. Its superman -- he's a kick ass alien who has super powers thanks to the sun or whatever. I mean really, what else do you want? :p

To see him kick ass and/or get shot at and/or kick ass is all that is required.

Except for the older farts around... ahaha :P

-Neo

[Ender]

I saw it already. Got a pre-viewing at 10 PM on Tuesday night. It was pretty amazing.

Brandon Routh is a GREAT Superman. Like, really. Not only does he look the part (and since I'm out, I can say DAMN) but he acts it incredibly too. He isn't one of these sissy cali-boy actors like Orlando Bloom. The man is good.

Bryan Singer did an AMAZING job with this movie. I want everyone to keep in mind when you see this that this takes place after Superman 2. It totally ignores Superman 3 and 4, so don't get bitchy about it not covering his discovery of powers and the whole krypton thing and his beginnings and crap. The movie is REALLY well done. The acting is GREAT (though I feel that Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane kind of sucked, I didn't get a Lois Lane feel from her) and the movie has a fair bit of funny parts. It is really well written and well produced. Go see it. I've always been anti-Superman because he is SO over-powerful, but in this movie it really makes him seem reasonable.

Remember, this is made by BRYAN SINGER. The man who brought you the first two X-Men movies, and made by Legendary Studios, the group that brought you Batman Begins. That is THREE amazing Superhero movies. GO SEE THIS ONE.

[Nuts]

SPOILERS

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

Firstly, the iconic features in this movie were spectacular. Only an avid fan would notice some of them. Jack Larson (The original Jimmy Olsen from the TV series) as the bartender? Whoa, that was awesome, I mean, what an homage to the old series! And the point where Superman grabs the car being driven by Kitty; I'm certain that was a homage to the Action Comics #1 cover seen here. (http://superman.ws/tales2/action1/page-1.jpg) And of course, the imagery when Superman grabbed the daily planet globe; Atlas anyone? (http://www.askwhy.co.uk/truth/atlas1.jpg) Of course, Perry White saying "Great Caesar's Ghost" well, that was classic.

All in all, I was incredibly surprised how well Routh did. He seemed a bit rough around the edges, but I think it fit the character nicely. I agree with Ender, Lois seemed emotionally bankrupt. I didn't really feel any empathy towards her in the least. I think they would have been better suited to find someone like Rachel McAdams, a tough yet very sensitive woman.

But who didn't see the plot twist with the kid from the very beginning? But I was rather saddened by that a bit. Superman is supposed to be this grown up boy scout and here he is sleeping around with any ole reporter who happened to tickle his fancy. I know it's old fashioned, but some things shouldn't be messed with. I can get over it, but I wish they hadn't done it. Now we have to contend with this kid in future movies too, which could get messy if they try to include him too much.

The special effects were magnificent. CGI isn't anything new these days, but they managed to use it properly without over doing it, which is far too common as of late.

Oh and did I mention...Kevin Spacey is the f*ckin bomb! Sorry Gene, your character was stolen from you, bald head and all.

http://z.about.com/d/movies/1/9/y/E/I/spaceysuper1.jpg

Oh, and I have major respect for Bryan Singer for bringing back the old score along with the beginning credits. It's obvious that he appreciates Alexander Salkind's work.

[Ender]

Yes, Nuts, you are so right. Rachel McAdams. She would have been amazing.

[Nuts]

And another thing, I can't stand reading reviews from people who just don't get it. Sometimes these reviewers should just abstain and let real fans review the movies.

Roger Ebert (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060626/REVIEWS/60606009/-1/email_headlines)

We remember the chemistry between Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) in the original "Superman" movie, and then observe how their counterparts are tongue-tied in this one. If they had a real romance (and they did), has it left them with nothing more than wistful looks and awkward small talk?

First of all, everyone should remember that Superman erased her memory with a kiss. If you can't remember such elementary plot twists, then you shouldn't be reviewing a sequel. Of course Lois doesn't remember their intimate affair, Roger.

Spacey plays Luthor as sour and sadistic; he has no fun with the role, nor do we.
Are you kidding me? The scene where Lex has Lois and son captive on the boat? That was Spacey at his best! Seriously, which movie were you watching Mr. Ebert?

Watching Superman straining to hold a giant airliner, I'm wondering: Why does he strain? Does he have his limits? Would that new Airbus be too much for him? What about if he could stand somewhere?
Fiction FTW. This wasn't a biography Mr. Ebert, it was a fictional movie based on a "comic book superhero!"

Now about Lois' kid. We know who his father is, and Lois knows, and I guess the kid knows, although he calls Richard his daddy. But why is nothing done with this character? He sends a piano flying across a room, but otherwise he just stares with big, solemn eyes, like one of those self-sufficient little brats you can't get to talk. It would have been fun to give Superman a bright, sassy child, like one of the Spy Kids, and make him a part of the plot.
Because people want to see a movie about Superman, not Superkid or Superboy. First lesson in movie making, know your audience.

Roger, why don't you take your saggy turkey neck and you half paralyzed face and go find another career that can make use of your failed observational skills and your 2 second attention span. I hear McDonald's of Chicago needs a new fry cook.

[GrassDragon]

I plan on seeing this movie on Saturday. At first I was a little iffy about it, but I've only heard good reviews.

And as I was scrolling down the thread I saw "Rachel McAdams". All I can say is YES!

[Nuts]

And as I was scrolling down the thread I saw "Rachel McAdams". All I can say is YES!

Don't get too excited, she's not in the movie. ;)

[Neo]

Didn't read the above posts (zomg don't spoiler it for me) but thought I'd comment on this documentary thing I saw last night...

This show actually discussed scientific reasons for superman's powers -- heh. They dissected each and every single one, was pretty cool.

Started talking about Superman creating his own gravitons and stuff (to fly), compressing air in his lungs (super breath~!) and other stuff. They had a harder time explaining him flying in outer space without a suit though, heh.

-Neo

[Nuts]

There ain't no amount of compressed air that could do what Supes did in the movie. ;)

Oh, and the flying in space thing......it's magic, duh! :P

[GrassDragon]

Okay I reread the above posts now that I've seen it and I largely agree. I'm not a comic book reader and the only scene I can remember from the old movies is the one when Superman turned back time, so I don't know about the accuracy and all that, but I thought overall it was good, albeit long. Superman was great and Lex Luthor was AWESOME. Lois, not so much. I agree that Rachel McAdams should have played Lois. I also thought Superman lifting that giant crystal thing was a little unbelievable, seeing as how he still had kryptonite IN him and the crystal was full of kryptonite. I guess they can get away with that by putting him in a coma, but it still seemed a little farfetched.

[Black.Ice]

THIS POST CONTAINS NO MAJOR SPOILERS, BUT SOME PLOT INFO.

Wow, what an awesome movie! I had my doubts when watching it, but they did an excellent job. As Nuts said, I did notice a few of the small details but since I wasn't a big Superman fan, I missed out on some of the stuff that my older cousins caught on.

I actually had no idea Kevin Spacey was going to be in the movie. Ever since I saw "The Usual Suspects", I've been a fan of his. As Nuts said above, the scene between him and Lois in the ship was awesome.

The cool thing I liked about this movie is that I didn't see any of the plot twists coming... something rare for most of the new movies I watch.

I've never heard of Routh before this movie, and he did an excellent job. I think he fit the job perfectly. The actor for Lois was alright; I think she fit the part but didn't excel like Routh. Spacey was magnificent.

The directing was also well done -- it was one of the best action movies I've seen in a long time. Not only was it good as a superhero / action movie, the style that it was directed in was good. It didn't try too to bee too stylish, yet it incorporated everything in with a perfect balance.

Anyways, I think this is definitely a must-see movie.

[Nuts]

So we're agreed? 4 thumbs up? :D

ANOTHER SPOILER


Did anyone else appreciate the fact that they made Superman more vulnerable? The fact that Superman was capable of being injured, instead of just slowed down as in prior movies? I thought that really helped to cast him as a more sympathetic and flawed character.

[Black.Ice]

SPOILER.

I loved that part, Nuts. Even though I don't remember the first movies that well, I loved how they made him a lot more vulnerable.

Very few movies I've seen manage to walk the fine line of being too dramatic / too cheesy. The movie did an excellent job when Superman was injured, without looking too cheesy.

[Kingscrab]

MY MINI-SPOILER COMMENTS:

The movie was a little slow for my taste, and I did get kinda bored, but Superman has never been my fave superhero anyhow. I'm glad that they didn't cheese out and make the kid do tons of "super stuff". As Nuts pointed out, it IS a movie about Spuerman and not Superkid. I also predicted they would kill off the new husband for an easy way out of the love triangle, and I'm glad they didn't do that either. It was classy the way Superman backed off from the romantic involvement instead of playing the homewrecker.

The guy who played Superman was awesome. Perfect casting.
Spacey was damn good too.

Overall: B+

[Ender]

So we're agreed? 4 thumbs up? :D

ANOTHER SPOILER


Did anyone else appreciate the fact that they made Superman more vulnerable? The fact that Superman was capable of being injured, instead of just slowed down as in prior movies? I thought that really helped to cast him as a more sympathetic and flawed character.

THANK GOD THEY DID THAT!

Really, the man is so invincible it takes all the story out of it. I mean, obviously, we know he is going to win in the end, but at least now it is fucking hard for him.

[Toucan]

SPOILER WARNING

I finally got to see it last night, loved it, think it’s the greatest Superman movie there has ever been. I think the shuttle/passenger jet rescue is the greatest Superman rescue scene ever made.

I don't follow with him being more vulnerable though, I thought he was stronger than ever.
In the first movie, while exposed to Kryptonite he was unable to even lift a chain from his neck, in this movie even while exposed to Kryptonite he was able to lift that giant crystal into space.

[Beef]

In the first movie, while exposed to Kryptonite he was unable to even lift a chain from his neck, in this movie even while exposed to Kryptonite he was able to lift that giant crystal into space.
I think he still had that wound from that kryptonite he had jabbed in his side. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like the big rock was steaming and melting or something. I think that had kryptonite in it, I don't know.

[Toucan]

I think he still had that wound from that kryptonite he had jabbed in his side. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like the big rock was steaming and melting or something. I think that had kryptonite in it, I don't know.
Your right, the giant crystal was more or less made from kryptonite, Lex said the crystals will assume the form of surrounding elements as it grows, so he put the crystal that created the giant crystal in a kryptonite case.

[Nuts]

Getting your ass beat and stabbed is much more vulnerable than floating around in a private swimming pool drowning. ;)

[Toucan]

Getting your ass beat and stabbed is much more vulnerable than floating around in a private swimming pool drowning.
He was on an island made of kryptonite, he didnt just have a rock of it around his neck and as weak as it made him he still flew underneath it and lifted it in to space.

[Nuts]

He was on an island made of kryptonite, he didnt just have a rock of it around his neck and as weak as it made him he still flew underneath it and lifted it in to space.
No, I understand what you mean, but you were asking how we felt him to be more vulnerable. I mean vulnerable in the sense that he was beaten and stabbed by mortals like any other ordinary person.