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Superman Returns - Single Disc [2006]


RRP: £18.99
Our Price: £0.09 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

It's fair to say that Superman Returns probably wasn't quite the blockbuster many were expecting. It concentrates its action on a handful of dazzling, audacious sequences, it spends time working with its characters, and it deliberately pays homage to the heritage of the source material. Knitted together by Bryan Singer, the man behind the camera for the first two X-Men features, it's some distance away from the last time the Man of Steel appeared on the big screen.

But that's very much a good thing. Whilst it doesn't quite, and nor did it need to, perform the major surgery that Batman Begins had to undertake on the Dark Knight's adventures, Singer nonetheless leaves distance between his film and some of its predecessors (although there are respectful tips of the hat to the first two films, not least the nostalgia-inducing credits sequence).

The plot finds Superman returning to Earth after several years away, to discover that the world has moved on in his absence. It's not as safe, Lex Luthor is out of prison, and Lois Lane now has a family. Which is the cue for a lot of soul searching, slower, tender moments and character development that divided some sections of the cinema audience.

Yet, thanks to a stirring cast, led by newcomer Brandon Routh, the end product gels extremely well. Routh's performance is a fitting tribute to the late Christopher Reeve, while Kevin Spacey chews up anything he's allowed to as key villain Lex Luthor. Further, credible, support comes in the form of Parker Posey, James Marsden and Kate Bosworth.

It'd be remiss to call Superman Returns a flawless film. After all, the running time could use fifteen minutes taking off, there's not enough Kevin Spacey and there are occasional moments when the pacing feels a little off. But it is a superb return to form for the classic superhero, with the modern day blockbuster ingredients of some meat to go with the action firmly in place. Further instalments, Mr Singer, will be more than welcome. --Simon Brew


Huge disappointment
Review date: 2008-08-28 Rating: 2 out of 10

Superman is possibly my favourite superhero and Superman: The Movie was really the first of the superhero movies that had special effects that didn't grate (though of course it doesn't look so hot by today's standards). So I was really looking forward to a return to form after the disasters of Superman 3 and 4. But Superman Returns was a massive disappointment.

I thought Brandon Routh was OK but here are the main problems.

1. It was a sort of rehash of the first movie but not as good.
2. The cinematography kind of sucked. It didn't really match my expectations of a Superman movie.
3. Why wheel out Lex Luthor again? Surely there must be other villains in the Superman universe?
4. Kate Bosworth was totally miscast as Lois Lane. She wasn't feisty or sexy enough. The Lois Lane (Erica Durance) in the current Smallville TV series is way better.
5. The Smallville TV series is better!



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Reviews


Super Bore
Review date: 2008-08-28 Rating: 2 out of 10

While Brandon Routh does a passable impression of Christopher Reeve, this is truly one of the most boring films I have ever seen - 150 minutes of nothing happening (ok you see him catch an airplane but that really is it). It takes a full 90 minutes of Superman floating about full of Lois angst before Lex Luther's evil plot kicks in and that is resolved remarkably quickly and easily, before the film returns to Boresville. The film lacks charm, humour, or anything interesting. It is so tedious that I was the only one in my family who actually stuck it out to the end. And that which wasn't worth it - you are expecting some sort of dramatic showdown but the film just drifts off into nothing. Avoid this rubbish !

THE WELCOME RETURN OF THE CAPED WONDER.
Review date: 2008-07-10 Rating: 8 out of 10

Most people seem to think this movie was a big dissapointment , and story wise there is nothing new her. Instead it's a well balanced homage to the Reeve movies and newcomer Routh plays Superman just like Reeve. Lex played by Kevin Spacey plays the evil villian as was played in the old movies. Lex as ever is after world power and manages to steal some Kryptonite from a museum. He then finds Superman's ice lair and talks with the image of Superman's long dead father played by Marlon Brando (again a clip from the original movie). The effects are great but it's all very predictable and though it's a good movies it does leave you wanting more.

Beautiful, measured and masterly
Review date: 2008-06-26 Rating: 8 out of 10

Superb. It may lack some of the charm of the Reeve films - though that may only be nostaligia - but the awesome effects, gorgeous cinematography and beautiful, measured script more than make up for it.

This is an altogether more professional film, which has all the hallmarks of being directed by a consumate master of his craft. Watching this along with the three original Superman sequels, a huge difference in quality is apparent. The film is both beautiful and moving, showing the greatest respect for what has come before, but taking it in a direction all its own which - at least - equals anything in the series so far.

Reflecting our age?
Review date: 2008-02-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

Every generatation re-interprets Superman to reflect our world, and so Superman Returns reflects a fractured society, with single parents, broken hearts and villains we no longer love to hate.

Kevin Spacey is sadly underused in this. His scenery-chewing Lex Luthor is the best bit of the film. But the joy has gone out of watching scenery chewing villains in a world where the real villains are bigger, nastier and even more one-dimensional than the four-colour comic villains we knew and loved.
Lois Lane is a mom, that's a shock. The "question" of her son's parentage isn't that hard to work out... because in our era, the only explanation could be the most painful one. The man she loved and gave herself too left and she found herself pregnant... only too 21st century a take on a love story.

This film captures Superman's human heart, where what we wanted was the Hero. He's struggling with guilt, with unrequited love with the loss of innocence.

We have mixed feelings about Superman these days because we have mixed feelings about ourselves. We want an innocent hero, but we don't believe in them anymore. This film does what Superman has always done: held up a mirror to our souls.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Kate Bosworth
Frank Langella
Brandon Routh
Parker Posey
Kevin Spacey

Creators:
Brandon Routh (Primary Contributor)
Kate Bosworth (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900723510
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-12-04
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 148 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Original Language)

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