Review of Superman Returns (2006) by Dwgodwin — 01 Jul 2006

[***SPOILER***] I really anticipated "Superman Returns" and wanted to like it. Indeed, "Superman Returns" excelled in sheer spectacle, but it was disappointing in several key areas: First, the basic plot was a retread of the first Superman: 1) Lex's lust for land (think "beachfront property"); 2) Lex's conflicted lady sidekick (think "Valerie Perrine") 3) Superman being weakened by Kryptonite and in the water (right out of the subway scene in the first movie).

These are a few examples of Singer so intently trying to reflect the first movie that he begins to copy it. Second, it isn't the case that there is a duality between Superman/Clark. There are three people in there, apparently: Superman/Real Clark/Buffoon Clark.

The real "corn fed" Clark we have come to know through better development in "Smallville" and the buffoonish Clark that is the favorite personna of the Donner films (save for the few minutes we see Clark return home in the beginning of the film).

Even here, Clark isn't the nice young man as he is a bit mean to his dog. Perhaps it is intentional that Superman comes across more as the Clark we respect, and that the Buffoon Clark seems to be truly alien.

Why should Lois be attracted to buffoon Clark? Perhaps this transposition justifies Lois' infatuation with Superman. Third, Superman uses his powers in truly creepy ways in the movie. It really isn't OK that Superman spies on Lois and her boyfriend in her home, and I must say that "Richard" came across as more truly heroic, because without any special powers (not even mutant ones) he exhibited a heck of a lot of courage to protect his family.

Amazingly, I'm not sure this was intended. In contrast, Superman came across as more of a force of nature than human. The messianic overtones and overt references by Superman to this aspect of his personna seemed incredibly self-serving and unneccessary.

Having written these things, I must say that the visual effects (particularly the jet crash and the bullet scene - you know which one I mean) were spectacular (though one has to wonder who would actually think that civilians would actually be allowed to fly on a shuttle launch vehicle - the implausibility of this plot turn boggles the mind! Perhaps the administration saw it as a way to dispense with some pesky reporters.

..). I've read comics for 30 years, and have faithfully attended just about every comic-related movie that has been put forth, and there have been some bad ones. To me, Superman isn't Superman because of his powers - it is his humanity, caring for others and capacity for self-sacrifice that makes Superman unique.

Apparently, to Singer, Superman is Superman because of his powers. He is a messiah, not because of his essential kernal of humanity, but because in a god-like way he can apparently defy the laws of physics.

Perhaps the tone of this first movie was necessary to set the stage for better things to come, but it was not the home run I had anticipated.