Superman Returns (2006, Bryan Singer)
Superman Returns marks the return to the big screen of perhaps the most beloved comic book hero of all time. After years of planning, the project finally materialized. When I heard that the screenplay was put on the lap of director Bryan Singer, I panicked. I saw what Singer did with the X-Men movies and to put it mildly, I simply expected the worst. I’m convinced Singer has never read a comic book. He has the sensibilities of someone who grew up in front of a playstation (it is no surprise to me that he is idolized by anyone who is 25 years old or younger). Very strange, since the man is in his 40s. But as convinced as I am that he is clueless when it comes to comic book myths, he does not do such a bad job with the material. The film is not bad, but it is indeed deeply flawed.
The film picks up exactly 5 years after the ending of Superman II (1980). I know it sounds strange but the movie is a sequel to the first two movies with Christopher Reeve (the film wisely ignores the events of # 3 and # 4). Superman/Kal-El has returned to Earth after a long absence, only to find out that the world does not care much for “saviors” anymore. The Christian subtext given to the series by director Richard Donner and writer Tom Mankiewicz (the two creative forces behind the first two movies), is still very much present here. And that is a good thing. But I do find odd how desperate Singer is of reminding the viewer of the older films.
I’m assuming Singer did not think he could top the first two movies, so he uses them as a sort of foundation for his movie. I will give him credit for recognizing that the older films are nearly perfect. But by adhering himself to Salkind’s productions, Singer (subconsciously?) acknowledges the inferiority of his baby. I think the movie pays a high price for presenting itself as the continuation of another filmmakers’ (Richard Donner’s) vision. Since Singer constantly reminds the viewer of the existence of the previous films, you are forced to draw odious comparisons. It’s especially frustrating the fact that Singer seems to want the cake and eat it too. He tries to make Superman appealing to an audience with new sensibilities while trying to play with the audience’s nostalgia for the classic films.
However, the movie does make a courageous effort to overcome its inherent flaws. I don’t have to tell you that the visuals are great, even though I was a little annoyed by how dark the film looks. Singer photographs everything using as little light as possible – occasionally I could not tell what was going on in some of the night sequences. My guess is that Singer was once again pandering to the teenagers in the audience who have become accustom to edgier narratives. I did like the way Singer psychoanalyzes the complicated life of the superhero. In fact, it has a little too much personal drama and very little action, but I was fine with that.
Brandon Routh is well cast as Superman (he even sounds like Christopher Reeve!) but he needs to spend a few more months in the gym. And he is a tad too young for the role – he looks like he just graduated from High School (in Smallville). Kevin Spacey is great as Lex Luthor, but he doesn’t have the great comic timing of Gene Hackman. I loved Eva Marie Saint as Martha Kent. In her few scenes, she did a great job of projecting Martha’s combination of great strength and vulnerability. I wished she had more screen time. Frank Langella is perfect as Perry White. Parker Posey is delightful as Luthor’s sidekick (a carbon copy of Valerie Perrine’s Miss Teschmacher). Kate Bosworth (as Lois Lane) is the weakest link. Lane is supposed to be aloof, which is why she never noticed Clark and Superman are the same person. Bosworth doesn’t pull it off.
If you are familiar with the storyline of the Reeve movies you will be able to point out more than a few BIG plot holes. Once again, Singer treats fans like fools. Also, the film is too long and I could never love a movie that gives the main hero less than 20 lines (in a 2 1/2 hours movie!). Maybe next time Singer will be plucky enough and will try to fly on his own. If you’ve never read a comic book you may like it more than I did.
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