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Superman Returns - 2 Disc [2006]


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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

Editorial
Synopsis

For five years, Superman (Brandon Routh) has been away from Earth, coaxed into space by a belief that Krypton may still exist. Finding nothing, he comes back to a changed world--not only has terrorism become rampant, but Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has married, started a family, and won the Pulitzer for her piece 'Why the World Doesn't Need Superman'. After a stop in Smallville to see his adopted mother (Eva Marie Saint), Superman is back in Metropolis, and Clark Kent has his old job back at the Daily Planet, with everyone still incredibly oblivious to his alter ego. But where there's Superman, there's Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey), and he is likely to be planning something dastardly--in this case, using a piece of pilfered kryptonite to grow an entirely new continent that he will control. Bryan Singer (X-MEN 1 and 2), armed with a script by Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty, approaches the red cape with reverence for the lore of the character, and respect for Richard Donner's SUPERMAN (1980) and Richard Lester's 1980 sequel, films that ushered in the era of the modern superhero film. Singer's SUPERMAN is filled with melancholy, and not so subtly suggests the notion of Superman as a Christ figure, sacrificing himself to save mankind. But there are still laughs, mostly courtesy of Spacey (clearly having a blast) and Parker Posey as his moll, Kitty Kowalski, as well as plenty of gasp-inducing set pieces, including a spectacular and terrifying near plane crash and a sinking boat. While modern visual effects have allowed Superman to reach entirely new realms, Singer keeps them from becoming the film's raison d'etre, thus keeping the Man of Steel's gigantic heart intact--heavy though it may be.

Awfull
Review date: 2008-06-20 Rating: 2 out of 10

I was really looking forward to this........Oh how i was dispointed.

I can't even list the faults with this film but any true Superman fan will see this is poor.

Here is a few marked out of 10 (10 being the best)=

Casting = 2
Acting = 4
Story = 2
Would i like to see a sequel = (Minus)-10

Sorry but not for true fans.

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Reviews


really good
Review date: 2008-06-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

great return for the man of steel ,this is best superman flick since the first flick.also its another successful comic book adadtion

So disappointing
Review date: 2008-03-26 Rating: 2 out of 10

Let me start off by saying that the lead actor Brandon Routh is a surprisingly good Superman who looks hauntingly similar to Christopher Reeve. However that's where the similarities to Superman (the original) unfortunately end.

In todays age special effects are common place enough that only a good story could save this movie, and this is where the fundamental flaw is. The film picks up as though it is essentially Superman 3 (after Superman left for Krypton in Superman 2) to return to earth to find the people have learned to live without him, much to the dismay of his ego. This is where my major criticism is. Batman Begins in the same year of release showed that a restart works, and works well. However this film assumes you've seen the first two films, which may not be the case and it doesn't even have a quick prologue explaining who Superman is, how he got his powers and why he left in the first place.

Anyway my greatest gripe regards the characters of Lois Lane and Lex Luthor. I'm sorry but the actors just do not do justice to the characters. Kevin Spacey is about as menacing as a Smurf and Kate Bosworth as feisty as a tele-tubby. As for the supposed plot twist they were pretty much throwing hints into your face throughout the film and frankly I don't think the character involved was necessary (sorry but to tell you would reveal the twist).

Watch it by all means as you may enjoy it, but I just watched it with the feeling this could have been much better as a restart for the new generation.

You'll believe a man can bore the pants off you
Review date: 2008-02-14 Rating: 2 out of 10

God, this is awful. Utterly, utterly tedious; a supposed action film that is slower than your average subtitled foreigh art movie. Spacey going manic lifted things for a brief second or two, but that was all. Crass and dull.

Dissapointing, a mere chick-flick!!
Review date: 2008-01-23 Rating: 4 out of 10

This movie is a huge dissapointment. The acting is good, the effects excellent but everything else is a let down. There is nothing that I like about superman in this movie. This movie is aimed at women, there is too much romance and not enough action or story development. Kevin Spacey is good as Lex Luthor, but the film lacks a super-villian and it lacks a big fight finale. Instead we have superman saving people from predictable and boring natural desasters and freek accidents. The inclusion of Lois Lane's husband and the subsequent love-triangle is pointless and a waste of screen-time. I was all hyped up to see this film but I found it that boring that I wanted to hit the forward-wind button.

The overall story of 'Superman Returns' seems to be remarkably similar to the original 'Superman' movie eventhough this is not a remake, its a continuation from the earlier movies. The story therefor is unimaginative and you get a sense of "Ive seen all this before".

I really expected more from the creator of Usual Suspects and the first 2 Xmen movies. A huge disapointment.

Product Details/Specifications


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

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

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900823371
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Box set, PAL, Special Edition,
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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