'Superman Returns' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Holly · 07-05-2006, 08:19 AM

Not everyone is happy to see him back, particularly ever-present nemesis Lex Luthor and a surprisingly detached Lois Lane.

Nevertheless, the Man of Steel pursues truth, justice and the American way again after a long absence in “Superman Returns,” director Bryan Singer's slightly overlong but immensely entertaining revival of the movie franchise. The saga of Krypton's most famous son has continued on television in the series “Smallville,” but Warner Bros. wanted to keep that separate from the big-screen renderings, so Singer has basically picked up where the Christopher Reeve films left off ... well, the first two, anyway.

To that end, he has cast a Reeve doppelganger in the pivotal role. Brandon Routh not only looks a lot like the Reeve of the 1978 “Superman” movie, he also sounds and even moves a lot like the late actor. If his comedic panache as mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent isn't quite up to Reeve's level, it's close enough to get things off the ground (literally and figuratively) here.

After time spent back on the farm where he was raised -- in an introductory segment that goes on a tad longer than it really needs to, although it certainly evokes the desired feeling -- Kent re-enters Metropolis, where people greet to his sudden resurfacing with a variety of reactions. The one that counts most, of course, is Lois'; as played by a brunette-wigged Kate Bosworth, she doesn't exactly exude warmth. In fact, she's quite resentful of having been abandoned by the hero, and she has built a new life that includes her young son, a fiancé (James Marsden, re-employed by Singer from the “X-Men” movies) who happens to be the nephew of Daily Planet editor Perry White (Frank Langella), and her role as a crusader for a world that doesn't need Superman anymore.

Of course, it does, and the typically nefarious Lex Luthor is the main reason. Played with typical mastery by Kevin Spacey, he's hatched another of his conquer-the-world plots that incidentally happens to threaten untold numbers of people, and Routh acquits himself nicely in the saga's many action scenes. The show-stopper is Superman's rescue of a seemingly doomed airliner, and as expected, the picture's special-effects team knows just what it's doing. (Audiences near an IMAX theater have it even luckier, since in that format, some of the film's biggest scenes are in 3-D.)

Some may carp that “Superman Returns” plays it too safe by adhering to the style that director Richard Donner set down nearly 30 years ago with the first Reeve movie, but if you want to relaunch a success -- and the studio clearly does -- the best move is to go back to what made it successful in the first place. The image of the late Marlon Brando is even re-used as our hero's Kryptonian father, Jor-El, yet another big factor in asserting the link between the new film and the first Reeve vehicle.

Just as the movie's characters need someone to rely upon, viewers may (and should) be satisfied with the kind of Superman they've long known and loved. “Superman Returns” delivers him back to theaters, and it's a pretty safe bet it won't be long before he returns yet again.

(Rated PG-13)

comedyfreak · 07-05-2006, 09:47 AM

Here's how the movie has been doing:

'Superman' Revs Up Box Office

With more than $100 million in ticket receipts under his utility belt, BRANDON ROUTH celebrated his "super" box office success with a high-octane day of Nascar racing at the Pepsi 400 in Daytona, FL.

"It's fantastic," he said of 'Superman Return''s gross. "I'm really excited that it's doing as well as I thought it was going to do."

'Superman Returns' raced past the $100 million mark in just seven days, taking in $74 million over the long weekend for an impressive seven-day total of $106 million. The blockbuster, which opened last Wednesday, wasn't as powerful as 'Spider-Man 2''s $88.2 million weekend in 2004 but handily beat 'Batman Begins'' $48.7 million.

Brandon was the grand marshal for the Pepsi 400 and the inspiration for a specially painted 'Superman Returns' car driven by race car driver JEFF GORDON

The Flying Dutchmans · 07-09-2006, 03:14 PM

I loved that they used the original opening theme from superman the movie, ive seen it and it is a wonderful movie. I think audiences will feel they got their moneys worth.

GoldenGirlsFan92 · 07-09-2006, 05:37 PM

Was this movie good? I've heard that it is pretty bad.

Rachel3118 · 07-10-2006, 12:28 PM

I really liked it. I thought it had a good story line. Overall I mainly liked it because I love the superman story.

07-05-2006, 08:19 AM	#1
Holly I LOVE SUNSETS :) Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: Albany NY Posts: 5,748	'Superman Returns' Not everyone is happy to see him back, particularly ever-present nemesis Lex Luthor and a surprisingly detached Lois Lane. Nevertheless, the Man of Steel pursues truth, justice and the American way again after a long absence in “Superman Returns,” director Bryan Singer's slightly overlong but immensely entertaining revival of the movie franchise. The saga of Krypton's most famous son has continued on television in the series “Smallville,” but Warner Bros. wanted to keep that separate from the big-screen renderings, so Singer has basically picked up where the Christopher Reeve films left off ... well, the first two, anyway. To that end, he has cast a Reeve doppelganger in the pivotal role. Brandon Routh not only looks a lot like the Reeve of the 1978 “Superman” movie, he also sounds and even moves a lot like the late actor. If his comedic panache as mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent isn't quite up to Reeve's level, it's close enough to get things off the ground (literally and figuratively) here. After time spent back on the farm where he was raised -- in an introductory segment that goes on a tad longer than it really needs to, although it certainly evokes the desired feeling -- Kent re-enters Metropolis, where people greet to his sudden resurfacing with a variety of reactions. The one that counts most, of course, is Lois'; as played by a brunette-wigged Kate Bosworth, she doesn't exactly exude warmth. In fact, she's quite resentful of having been abandoned by the hero, and she has built a new life that includes her young son, a fiancé (James Marsden, re-employed by Singer from the “X-Men” movies) who happens to be the nephew of Daily Planet editor Perry White (Frank Langella), and her role as a crusader for a world that doesn't need Superman anymore. Of course, it does, and the typically nefarious Lex Luthor is the main reason. Played with typical mastery by Kevin Spacey, he's hatched another of his conquer-the-world plots that incidentally happens to threaten untold numbers of people, and Routh acquits himself nicely in the saga's many action scenes. The show-stopper is Superman's rescue of a seemingly doomed airliner, and as expected, the picture's special-effects team knows just what it's doing. (Audiences near an IMAX theater have it even luckier, since in that format, some of the film's biggest scenes are in 3-D.) Some may carp that “Superman Returns” plays it too safe by adhering to the style that director Richard Donner set down nearly 30 years ago with the first Reeve movie, but if you want to relaunch a success -- and the studio clearly does -- the best move is to go back to what made it successful in the first place. The image of the late Marlon Brando is even re-used as our hero's Kryptonian father, Jor-El, yet another big factor in asserting the link between the new film and the first Reeve vehicle. Just as the movie's characters need someone to rely upon, viewers may (and should) be satisfied with the kind of Superman they've long known and loved. “Superman Returns” delivers him back to theaters, and it's a pretty safe bet it won't be long before he returns yet again. (Rated PG-13)

07-05-2006, 09:47 AM	#2
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	Here's how the movie has been doing: 'Superman' Revs Up Box Office With more than $100 million in ticket receipts under his utility belt, BRANDON ROUTH celebrated his "super" box office success with a high-octane day of Nascar racing at the Pepsi 400 in Daytona, FL. "It's fantastic," he said of 'Superman Return''s gross. "I'm really excited that it's doing as well as I thought it was going to do." 'Superman Returns' raced past the $100 million mark in just seven days, taking in $74 million over the long weekend for an impressive seven-day total of $106 million. The blockbuster, which opened last Wednesday, wasn't as powerful as 'Spider-Man 2''s $88.2 million weekend in 2004 but handily beat 'Batman Begins'' $48.7 million. Brandon was the grand marshal for the Pepsi 400 and the inspiration for a specially painted 'Superman Returns' car driven by race car driver JEFF GORDON
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07-09-2006, 03:14 PM	#3
The Flying Dutchmans Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 30, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,017	I loved that they used the original opening theme from superman the movie, ive seen it and it is a wonderful movie. I think audiences will feel they got their moneys worth.
	__________________ A strange red light as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of which light the mast, spars and sails of a brig 200 yards distant stood out in strong relief." The Flying Dutchman

07-09-2006, 05:37 PM	#4
GoldenGirlsFan92 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2005 Location: Louisana Posts: 2,243	Was this movie good? I've heard that it is pretty bad.
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07-10-2006, 12:28 PM	#5
Rachel3118 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 13, 2005 Posts: 1,768	I really liked it. I thought it had a good story line. Overall I mainly liked it because I love the superman story.
	__________________ Rachel