Bloodless Coup

Superman Returns

Yes! A summer movie that's not only not a disappointment - it's a definite success.

What is this? Well, imagine a 1970's heroic tale with the budget, wit and effects that are possible in the new millenium. It's definitely got the feel of the first two Superman movies, and more of their plot and characters than you might expect - but it's much more fun and "better" in most ways. (The extraordinarily handsome) Brandon Routh does a great job, as does almost all of the cast. And even when characterizations that don't hit just right, that's more the fault of the script than the case. OK, it took me a bit to warm to the new Lois Lane (again partially the fault of the script as she is forced to do the stupidest and most unlikely things every so often - oh, and apparently her skin and bones must be made of titanium for all the beatings she takes without ever so much as losing her breath), but apart from her everyone deserves an A. In some ways it's much more reaslitic than the other films, and some of those touches are done surprisingly well (particularly when it comes to James Marsden's Richard), and that's helped along tremendously by the staging which highlights how Metropolis is almost our world. From the familiar and yet not quite right shots of New York, to the name of the wealthy widow who dies at the start of the film ... well, let me just say that Singer threads the line between reality and fantasy beautifully, and also does a remarkably fine job balancing humor and sincerity and throwing in a few bright touches for the fanboys. Finally, I've got to say something about the effects, so I'll just say WOW. Freakishly gorgeous and amazing work. I presume it'll be getting a bunch of Oscar nominations. Oh, and by the way,they've created what's got to be the best and most appealing villian's yacht ever. I desperately want The Gertrude. It puts the Disco Volante to shame.

Put that all together (and looking back on it I'm still taken aback by the brilliance of the script and staging - like the train set piece - brilliant!) and I absolutely loved the first two thirds of this movie. Then ... well then we get hammered continuously with the Jesus metaphor, and the film just won't end. And that's tiresome. But hey, that business doesn't ruin the movie by any means. And yeah, sure it could have used more Kevin Spacey, but its faults notwithstanding, it definitely merits a B+, is a lot of fun, and a most impressive work of filmmaking (but hey, it's Bryan Singer, so I should have expected that).