Review - Superman Returns

[serai]

Honestly. I expected the film to be good; the trailers had prepared me for a real ride. But I was surprised by the poetry of it. It's not only lush and detailed, but the images have resonance and poignancy, and often express things that are inexpressible in plain words, which is what poetry is about. The bustling Metropolis, existing in a time that never is; the weird Lovecraftian grandeur of the New Continent, the vast sweep of the Earth's curve with its shimmering, tissue-thin atmosphere and jewel-like surface. Incredible visions of movement and power - the young Clark Kent's joyful leaps through the cornfields as he delights in his secret powers; Superman's intense speed, captured here with a visceral extremity that hasn't been seen before; his fall to earth, so fragile and ethereal a journey; and of course, those iconic images of him hanging above the planet he serves, the demigod and savior of the world that desperately needs him. (The religious imagery is indeed laid on thick in this film, but I believe it's appropriate. The theme of the saving One is confined neither to the American nor the Christian imagination, which is, I think, why Superman appeals to so many people around the world. We all would like to think that there's someone out there stronger, wiser, more compassionate, who would step in and save us from our folly!)

And what about that Savior? Could Brandon Routh be any more beautiful? DAMN. He is utterly breathtaking. A face built of clean, strong lines, with a mouth whose movements can be extraordinarily subtle, and soulful eyes that express sadness and amusement with equal grace. As for that body...*ahem*. Yes. And it's not just his physique, but his manner as well. He wears that costume with absolute self-confidence, as if it's the most natural thing in the world for him to go around looking like a human macaw. (The suit's color scheme has been altered a bit, by the way, but in tone rather than color. I find the change just right, fitting with both the production design and the emotional landscape of this film. And the texturing is superb!)

For myself, I definitely see this as the same Superman played by Christopher Reeve (Goddess bless him, dear man), albeit somewhat more serious and a little unsure, not of himself, but of his place in the world. And that's to be expected, considering where he's been and what he's seen. A more than worthy successor to Reeve, Routh not only captures all the aspects that Reeve layered onto the character - the straighforward purity, the touches of wry wit, the private doubts and hesitancy - but also does very well at adding the newer layers of regret and loneliness. And yet he's the same Paragon of Virtue, unfailingly kind and polite to a fault, even to the crooks whose escapades he foils. He's really everything we would want a superior being to be: neither vain not derisive, never wanton or cruel with his power, always on guard against using it for his own gain. You know that even though there is nothing on earth that could hurt him or stop him, he'd never hurt you, unless you're a Bad Guy. And even then he wouldn't hurt you; he'd simply stop you from doing what you're doing.



The next paragraph is whited out in deference to those who don't want to be spoiled. Highlight it if you don't care about that, but skip it if you do. I MEAN THAT!!!


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Which is what makes his shattering so visceral, so painful to watch. Routh's Superman is such a clear combination of exterior strength, goodness of character and open, loving heart, that Luthor's attempted murder of him is quite horrible. I didn't expect to get this kind of emotional jolt from the film, but I found myself flinching and nearly in tears as, weakened by an entire continent laced with Kryptonite, he is viciously beaten and humiliated by Luthor's thugs. Oh man, that hurt. I would go so far as to say that it felt like actual sacrilege. Just that gut-level feeling at seeing something that you know instinctively should not be. I say this in all seriousness: I wanted to kill those guys.


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And oh boy, Lex Luthor! YAY for Kevin Spacey!! He's finally gone back to the dark side, which he has avoided for so long because it's where his career took off from, and you know how actors are about being typecast. But his Lex is an utter delight - cheerfully amoral, playfully venal, avidly vicious within a veneer of sophistication. Again, this is the same Lex Luthor from the original films, tempered by a seething rage he keeps nicely bottled up, the product of five years in prison because of Superman. (I found the reason for his release especially amusing. Ah, modern jurisprudence!) His insouciance and intelligence make his hatred of Superman all the more shocking when he finally releases it. I am so damn glad Kevin was cast here. (Apparently, he's been in the running for the role since about 1996 or so.) Yet another damn good choice.

And you know, I wasn't even annoyed by Lois Lane. Nobody could ever fill Margot Kidder's engagingly quirky, clutzy shoes, of course; I wasn't expecting that. But I was surprised at how well Kate Bosworth acquitted herself. She's too young for the role (Lois at this time would be about 30 or so), but she handled the dialogue well, and has a sweet chemistry with Routh, matching his quiet sadness with an constantly unspoken cry of longing and abandonment. Every time those two look at each other That Way, you can see sodade in their eyes: the bittersweet longing for what might have been. Their flight into the heavens is not only a lilting and romantic interlude, but a poignant reminder of their first flight together, and the contrast is in their way with each other as well as in our memories. *sigh*

The script is excellent, by the way. The story is great fun, with some wonderful set-pieces to show off both Superman's abilities and those of the FX crew. The dialogue is sharp when it should be so, and soft when it wants to be, accomplished not only in what is said, but in what is unsaid. There are lots of clever touches (the scene in the emergency room had several that made my friend Spike, a trained nurse, laugh out loud), and the use of motifs and images from the original film are handled with grace and logic. I can't tell you how thrilling it was to take this ride hearing that magnificent John Williams music again! And seeing and hearing Marlon Brando as Jor-El was both beautiful and eerie, for he's now speaking from beyond the grave just as his character is. Inspired!

Oh my. All in all, just so wonderful. Exactly what I'd hoped (within reason, of course). Sumptuous, thrilling, romantic, soul-stirring - all of these. I am sure going to see it again, and I hope you all will go see it too.

And I still want that poster.



Speaking of romantic, I will leave you with the lyrics to the love theme from the original film, which were spoken wistfully aloud by Margot Kidder during Lois's first ecstatic flight with Superman:



Can you read my mind?
Do you know what is is that you do to me?
I don't know who you are
Just a friend from another star

Here I am like a kid out of school
Holding hands with a god
I'm a fool

Will you look at me
Quivering
Like a little girl
Shivering
You can see right through me

Can you read my mind?
Can you picture the things I'm thinking of?
Wondering why you are
All the wonderful things you are

You can fly!
You belong in the sky!
You and I
Could belong to each other

If you need a friend
I'm the one to fly to
If you need to be loved
Here I am

Read my mind

Comments

[julchen11.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, this poem is sooooo beautiful *sigh* Thank you dearie for your wonderful report and this treasure *hugs you*

[serai1.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I hope you get to see and enjoy this film soon.

*hugs back*

[estelanui.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your full report. I had feelings of both expectation and fear to find a poor movie. Your report was very helpful.
I have now to wait till Sept 1 to see it. *sigh*

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Ooohhh, I'm sorry you have to wait so long! But it'll be worth the wait, never fear!

[ghyste.livejournal.com]

I wasn't intending to go and see Superman, but you may have convinced me!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Yay! Well, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. If nothing else, it's very energetic!

[ladysunrope.livejournal.com]

same here -I was resolutely not going to see it because who could follow Reeve? Now you've convinced me, I have to go and see this.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, I SO hear you. During that whole period when names like Nicolas Cage were being bandied about, I completely lost heart and figured whatever they did, it was going to suck. Thank the gods Bryan Singer came on board! He pulled the film back from the brink of monstrosity and made it how it HAD to be made. I think you'll enjoy the result. ;)

[oohasparklie.livejournal.com]

I think I just would have curled up into a little ball and died had Nicolas Cage been cast.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

I swear I was ready to go saw someone's head off for that one! Cage's hangdog, depressive demeanor is practically the antithesis of Superman. FEH.

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the review. Now I can't wait to see it! I was so worried about a worthy successor to Christopher Reeve.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Well, you've got him here. He's just utterly yummy. ;)

[marigold6.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the review, dear. I adore Kevin, and this young man seems to have so many of the same qualities that made Chris who he was. And the song - ohhhh *nostalgic tears* the first time I heard that, so many years ago now, in the theatre, I began to get all verklempt - you truly did believe a man could fly. *big hug*

[serai1.livejournal.com]

It's that forgotten nostalgia that makes this film such a powerful experience. The absolute thrill of that first film had faded away over time, but this one plunged me right back into it, squeeing all the way! I hope you find the same to be true of your own experience. *big hug back* YAY

[westmoon.livejournal.com]

I'm counting the minutes until I can see it this weekend.

*frets*

[serai1.livejournal.com]

tick...tick...tick...

You won't regret it. Gorgeous man, yummy DROOL YAY. :P~~~

[oohasparklie.livejournal.com]

Gah, I love this. I got choked up just reading it. It's nice to see someone gets it as much as I felt like I did.

And as for that scene that you whited out...I was absolutely beside myself during that. (I'm dramatic, I know) but I was literally in tears and couldn't watch. It was like seeing a kitten being tortured...by that I mean someone who is innocent and harms no one being destroyed like that, it just filled me with great despair. Yeah, it's only a movie, but this is my childhood hero, and Routh managed to imbue him with more...vulnerability than we've ever seen previously and it made me just love him and not want anything bad to happen to him.

I guess I really didn't realize how much I loved this character until coming back and seeing this film. They touched on so many emotions that it's kind of turned Superman into an entire new thing for me. And I'm thrilled with it, seriously. I can't wait for the next one. I'm already counting the days.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Hey, there's nothing wrong with being dramatic! I've always been drawn to stories that have mythic dimensions, and if there's an extant American myth, this has to be it. That's the main reason I didn't want to see a "new take" on Superman. It's the kind of character whose steadiness and reliability are really the point. He's a vision of optimistic good in a world of conflict, contradictions and confusions. A beacon, if you will, and for that reason he, unlike other comic book heroes, must stay bright. If Superman becomes depressed and dark, vague and unmoored, than what the hell is the point to anything? Some things just have to stay pure, true to themselves, or else life loses some of its lustre.

And TEARS. It wasn't just the violence in that scene, it was the cruelty. The way they kept going just because they could, and when they held his head under the water, AW FUCK. I don't often feel murderous towards fictional characters, but that was definitely one of those moments.

My only gripe is that the next one is slated for 2009! THREE YEARS? ARRRRGHGHGHGHH

[oohasparklie.livejournal.com]

I think I might literally die if they wait that long.

[thd3.livejournal.com]

Great review! You really hit the nail on the head.

I saw it a second time this weekend and it was just as wonderful as the first time.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I got my third viewing on Saturday, and am already jonesing for a fourth, heehee!

[juljul9.livejournal.com]

clap clap. wonderful review. this is actually the first superman movie for me. so i didn't really feel nostalgic about it. but as a first time superman movie watcher, i have to say it's a WONDERFUL movie and made a superman fan! brandon routh was excellent as superman, though i wish i can see more clark. he's too adorable with his specs!

Thanks!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Well, you must rent the first one and catch up! Just keep in mind how old it is - back then it was astounding, but now it looks a little quaint. But I think you'll find it interesting to see the roots of the character that Brandon is playing. And Chris Reeve was no slouch where the Hotness was concerned, either!