MOVIE REVIEWS
Superman Returns
Anthony Ocean
So when writing film reviews I don’t like to write spoilers. You can see the film for yourself. If I could I would write about every single damn frame in this film. I would write how in every scene I was having geek-gasms. But you can read below for the review.
Acting:
Superb by all. Flat out, hands down the best comic book movie, right up there with Batman Begins. Brandon Routh IS Superman. He not only looks and sounds like Christopher Reeves, but he embodies the essence of Superman. I am not one of those people out there who was expecting the next Superman to be Christopher Reeves. Yes, he was great. But he is not going to play him again, so let go of your attachment of a Christopher Reeves delivery of Superman. In that light we are lucky though because Brandon is AMAZING as Superman. He is also a darn good actor. He did very well with emotion and keeping with the character. When he was Clark Kent, he WAS Clark. Bumbling and dorky, but still an ever watching observer. I have to admit in the beginning I was REALLY skeptical of this guy as Superman. But I was completely blown away by his performance. Jimmy Olsen played by Sam Huntington is fantastic. I just completely fell in love with his character. Kate Bosworth was just fine as Lois. Never been a huge fan of hers, but she did just fine and I liked her character. Lex. I have said for years that Kevin Spacey can play anything he wants to. HE CAN. He IS Lex. Perfect. I never much liked Gene Hackman as Luthor. Too campy and slapstick. Kevin’s is the perfect Luthor. Sadistic, smart, methodical, and really pissed off. I will never see Lex any other way than Kevin’s. I AM ATTATCHED AND I DONT CARE.
Direction:
My best friend worded it correctly. If I could have Bryan Singer’s children, I would. My God. A beautifully shot film and I love the style of the art deco. I am in love with this film. I will be seeing it MANY more times. Bryan Singer has always done great shots. Something I preach about often in films. The lack of shots and lighting and such in films these days. Well not with Superman Returns. He had everything. There isn’t a damn thing wrong with this film. Nothing. Lighting, sound, costume, acting, writing, set design. All of it. A beautiful vision. Bryan Singer is an amazing story teller, and that is what a good director should be.
Costume:
I wont say much on this. Just that I absolutely love the design in this film. Even the Super suit. At first I was really unsure about it, but then seeing it in the film was something else. It was damn great. There has always been something about the costume design in Bryan’s films. They always appear to have great weight to them. They look heavy and that draws me in more.
Special effects:
The best damn effects since Lord of the Rings. My god. They were really incredible, and just beautiful too. Can’t say much else about that. You’ll have to see it.
Cinematography:
WOW. Can’t say much about this either because it should be seen and not described. It does remind me of why I love films so much.
In general, I am crazy on how Bryan told more of a human side story of Superman. It really helped me to love the character that much more, and to identify with him too. The son is an awesome touch ensuring more Superman films in the future. I am so glad that they did a serious Superman film. So, I thought that the old Superman film (first) was great, however it was slapstick and campy in many parts. Even Superman occurred campy in parts. I actually loved Brandon Routh much better as Superman. He played every angle of Superman and played him well. While keeping the best parts of Christopher Reeves. The overall story was insanely good, and always kept my attention. Very emotional in parts. I won’t ruin it, but toward the end with Lex and Superman, then pretty much after that. Epic feeling and well done. You’ll know what I am talking about when you see it.
So in closing I will say that it is incredible and I am so glad that Singer did it. I couldn’t have seen it any other way.
