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[The Overlord]

[The Overlord]

[fox_limbo]

Hola! Como esta?

There are a number of nuances that I loved. Firstly being the John Willaims redux. This is pretty well old-news, sure. But that theme / score still stirs me and it was as much of a nod to the original (Chiristopher Reeve movies) as anything else (no matter what you want to argue as what was the "biggest nod"). A new theme song could have been concieved, but it would have greatly paled in comparison; and possibly destroyed this film without it even getting off the ground. That theme song was, and remains to be, utterly magnificent. It never ceases to send chills rocketing up and down my spine.

In a previous thread, I stated that the past Superman movies were more awe-inspiring than, say, "Smallville". Outside of the nod to John Williams during the opening credits, the movie began fairly slowly and inspired lack-luster awe, if at all... until Superman struggled to put a mechanically-handicapped plane safely to the ground. It has been done in countless Superman film / television / comic incarnations (even the original 1978 film), still that sequence was visually stunning. But as hard as it tried to have emotional impact with having the Man of Steel, finally, return was a bit contrived (and, frankly, should have been left to breath a bit and build the suspence of Superman's return; i.e. Frank Miller's "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns". Still, from that moment the film lept to the heights that it did.

There was definately a number of nods to the first Superman films and Bryan Singer certainly followed Richard Donner's blue print. One thing this film did do was up the anti, a bit (is that how you spell "anti", in the gambling sense?). The Superman character is a difficult one to peg because, conceptually, he is so powerful. In the first two Superman films, the Man of Tomorrow was faced such looming catastrophies; which rivaled his very abilities. This current film followed that... and even managed to ratchet it up a bit. Superman was stretched to the end of his rope to save the day as he always does. So much so, I actually wondering how in the hell Superman was going get out of this one as he was getting his ass kicked on the obsidian Krypton(ite) landscape.

I loved the idea that he flew above the overcast clouds and charged himself like a Duracell to accomplish the task of lifting the island up, up and away. Still, a part of me was not convinced (as much as I really wanted to be swept away by the suspension of disbelief). I may be wrong (and a bit, frustratingly, distracted by a person next to me that managed to fall asleep during the movie; and at that point in the film had managed to use my shoulder as a drool deposit of a pillow), but wasn't there more than just that hunk of Krypton(ite) had hoisted, still piercing up through the Atlantic? And wouldn't there still be ramifications of the sprouting of this threatening landmass? And then, there is the whole thing with Superman coming out of his death / coma (I actually had more of a problem with that very loose, unsettlingly ambiguous development than I did with the "big reveal"; which, by the way, as aruable as the whole concept is, was handled fairly well)...

As the visuals and impending casualties have been ratcheted up from the original films, so was the portrayal of Superman as a secular messiah. There have been a number of past instances where Superman has been compared as a Christ-figure, and it has been blatantly presented in this movie with his apparent death and ressurrection.

Still, the question remains, what was it that stemmed the "ressurrection"? That point was not very well developed in the least, esspecially as important as it was the entire plot / film franchise.

As a whole, I think this movie was well-done. It rivals any other comic book movies, hands-down, even the original two Superman films. Still, I'm not sure if it completely surpasses "Spider-Man 2" or "Batman Begins" as the out-right best, but it certainly deserves honorable contention. Bryan Singer did superbly with this film, all things considered.

[JR]

Saw it tonite. For a super hero movie, I thought it was fine. Better than DD, better than Punisher, etc. Better than x2? Better than Spiderman 2? Nah, I doubt it.

I should say that I really thought Routh did a good job. all the internet trolls who said he wasn't physically imposing enough are on drugs, he looked fine.

My major problem with the film is that in Singer's efforts to make an homage, he sort of lost the story he was trying to tell. Was this the story of supermans return to earth? Was it the story of Supermans baby momma? His effect on the people? Luthors quest for power? It was all a bit muddled for me.

I hear that alot of the film was cut, so I am interested to see a DC for this, maybe it will clarify some of these things.

Also, Parker Posey is way hot. Spacey phoned in the entire movie.

Lastly, who cares if it was straight from the 78 flick? The land mass idea is ****. It made Luthor come across more of a two bit hood looking for his piece of the pie than a genius scientist that is in someways supermans equal. They cut the whole flying around the earth time travel thing, why not change this too.

Flame away, boys.

JR.
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Even though I'm broke I got a six pack of beer.

[hylozoii]

To elaborate on my opinion/review:

Lex's character was cheese. What Lex lacks in physical power, he is SUPPOSED to make up for in intelligence. That's why he is one of Superman's greatest foes. Singer or the writer or Lex should have looked at all the angles of this menacing yet funny diabolical plan. So destroy the US. Create another country in the place of the US, but don't call it the US. The US will let a known terrorist rule this barren black boulder (sorry, couldn't resist the alliteration)...sell land...then rule the world. Should I suspend my disbelief into stupidity? Even I know that plan wouldn't work in Sim City much less in the real/comic world. I suspend my disbelief to where it's magical. Not to where half of the US population may die only to have everyone accept some bald idiot who got out of jail because Supes didn't testify as their new leader. Forget money and power. Let's face it. The plan was just plain dorky.

Was the action scene amazing? YES! I loved Superman flying around in the sky. When I saw what they did in the Matrix 3, I knew a Superman movie was coming soon. Superman flying through the wing of the airplane was awesome. What a great example of what you can do on screen nowadays!

Do I wish Singer cast a character that was Superman's equal? YES! Let's see...Superman fought an airplane, got his butt handed to him by Lex, threw a big rock. A-mazing! Not really. Do I realize this movie was a jumpstart? Yes. That's why I can't completely bash this film. I understand what Singer was doing.

Put down your Superman blanket and stop rubbing your Superman trading cards for a second when you review the movie. This movie stylistically will never be better than Batman or Spiderman or X2. I do expect the next Superman movie to be awesome though.

-hylo

P.S. Absolutely nothing happened between Richard White, Lois, Clark, and kid. Yes yes, it'll explain more in the next movie, but why make this one 2 1/2 hours long with the plot going in 5 different tangents?

[the truebeliever]

This is what I thought of the movie. I liked the movie. I know it was Superman's son but it was a little too much with all of the super powers. It does make sense though. In the next movie I think the son should somehow die or something should happen to him where Superman will go over the edge and we will see his true power. That was another thing I had a problem with. At the beginning Superman had trouble with stopping an airplane but near the end he lifts a whole island, that was made of Kryptonite none the less, into outer space. I don't know how it could be to the fact that he was pulling a Barry Bonds where he was pumping steroids or he might have just been pumping more iron and going on a healthy diet, lol. I still liked the movie.

It was an -A for me. It didn't match my probaly my favorite movie and best comic book movie Sin City which is an +A. Some might agree some might not but this is my opinion.

[johndunbar]

Definitely an A+. I was pleasantly surprised by the flow from the Donner films. I'd heard they would be a vague sequel, but Singer defintiely took the core of those films and expanded on them with an epic film. Visually amazing, it had heart, and explored new areas at the same time.

[rgj]

This was definitly a super cool film. B+.

I don't think that Lex was as compelling as he should be. This isn't a guy that could someday scheme his way to the Presidency. As JR said, he comes across as an overachieving hood. Smallville's Lex is more intersting, psychologically speaking. But, that's my only real complaint.

The direction was amazing. And the special effects (which added the plus sign to the B in my grade) were phenomenal. I hope the next Supes film pits Supes against some kind of intergalactic bad ass and we can see some fantastic special effects.

rgj

[mhs_111]

I still can't vote. Is this closed already?

Anyway, I give SR A-/B+ (supe's kid?? fiance?? )
And A++ for the opening credit. It was awesome.
Great CGI, beautiful floating and flying scenes. Wish there's more dialog for Clark/Supe.

So far I've seen it 5 times.
Can't wait for the DVD to come out.
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sun tea

"...I don't have sixth sense
I just don't have the fifth."~Virge

[daredevil99x]

I could go on and on about what I didn't like about this film (the kid, the fact he ends up in a hospital, etc.) but there were some good moments. Not enough to bring it up from the C- I gave it though.
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"Why should I be frightened of dying?
There's no reason for it, you've gotta go sometime."

[daredevil-art]

Did anyone see Superman Returns in IMAX 3D? If so, what did you think?
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