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"Superman Returns"...the reviews thread.

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Old 07-06-06 | 12:39 PM
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So now the real question:

Is this thing going to actually make WB some money and get a sequel? With POTC on the horizon, it's gonna be a tough to haul in $200-250M.
Old 07-06-06 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by FinkPish
At some point, you must turn off your brain and just enjoy the movie in the present, instead of dissecting every thing that whips by your eyes on the screen, otherwise you aren't going to enjoy anything.
Exactly...there are soooo many things that could be pointed out as plot holes or inaccuracies. Like Lois being thrown around the plane for one.

Ebert stupidly pointed out the grimace when Superman was lifting the plane or something. He questioned Superman's limits because of this. Give me a break.

Its worth noting that Christopher Reeves also grimaced in Superman: The Movie, which he gave 4 stars compared to Returns 2 stars.

People need to chill out and just enjoy the damn movie. If you dont like it, then thats fine, but dont rest on plot holes as the culprit because I bet that even movies you like can be scrutinized too.
Old 07-06-06 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Giles
the sight of Superman after he stepped out of the rescued plane had a tear in my eye.
That was a pivotal moment for me. I was pretty bored and unimpressed, but my feelings did a complete turnaround after that scene.
Old 07-06-06 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by chess
So now the real question:

Is this thing going to actually make WB some money and get a sequel? With POTC on the horizon, it's gonna be a tough to haul in $200-250M.
Yeah, WB compares this to Batman Begins, but BB had half the budget of this one. And, remember that 40 million of the 260 million budget was from all the crap it took to get this one made (Burton's salary and scrapped scripts galore).

I think that worldwide, this will be a success (at least break even). Also, now, you have to include DVD sales in the picture. Many might be waiting to see this on DVD. I bet it will be a huge seller for the holiday season.

I think we will see a sequel. Hopefully.
Old 07-06-06 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by FinkPish
I'm beginning to feel like not entering these types of threads anymore (and avoiding internet reviews in general), because it just makes me grimace at how much people can dissect a perfectly good film by looking at every little detail of how the film was constructed scriptwise, editorially, casting, etc. Overall the film was great, and when I see it again I may notice plot holes and inconsistencies, but my first impression was that I really liked it.
I agree, had the internet been around when the original Superman came out in the 70's then I dare say it would have been flamed on this board. All these threads seem to do for me lately is lower my expectations of movies and point out flaws I might have otherwised never noticed. You guys are sucking the joy out of what little pleasure I have left to experience in life. Going to the movies is supposed to be fun. Not an exercise in intellectual prowess at one's ability to nick pick a good movie down from an A- to a C+ film. You guys need to start grading on a curve.
Old 07-06-06 | 12:54 PM
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At times I felt the old charm of the originals...felt proud to be a fan of the first 2. It at times captures that...it just doesnt do it enough. It was a crap story simple as that..I at first was against boseworth cast as lois, but after seeing it Im ok with it.

The opening credits...the music...some of the superman actions... brought it all back...its just the massive lulls inbetween that killed it. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
Old 07-06-06 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Jamers
I agree, had the internet been around when the original Superman came out in the 70's then I dare say it would have been flamed on this board. All these threads seem to do for me lately is lower my expectations of movies and point out flaws I might have otherwised never noticed. You guys are sucking the joy out of what little pleasure I have left to experience in life. Going to the movies is supposed to be fun. Not an exercise in intellectual prowess at one's ability to nick pick a good movie down from an A- to a C+ film. You guys need to start grading on a curve.
I've learned not to let it affect me at all. I was kinda wary going in not because of what I read here on DVDTalk, but because I had read the novelization weeks before and turns out most of the stuff I thought was going to turn me off (another Lois/Supes flying sequence, the kid, etc.) I ended up loving.

At the end of the day, just think : why let someone else's opinion posted on an internet messageboard affect YOUR viewing pleasure?
Old 07-06-06 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Jamers
You guys need to start grading on a curve.
Bryan Singer with $200M+ doesn't get a curve.

...and I can't speak for everyone else, but I only pick apart movies with lazy and painfully boring plot devices (the addition of a kid for instance), rehashed villians/stories, poor casting choices, unneccesarily long run times...you get the idea.

I actually had more fun at X3, though it was technically a much worse movie.

Last edited by chess; 07-06-06 at 01:01 PM.
Old 07-06-06 | 01:22 PM
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Saw this yesterday and loved it. Second only to Batman Begins as far as comic movies go IMO. I thought Routh did a fantastic job, as did Spacey, I liked the focus on drama over action, and I loved the action scenes that were there.

4.5/5 for me.

Can't wait for the sequel.
Old 07-06-06 | 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by chess
Bryan Singer with $200M+ doesn't get a curve.

...and I can't speak for everyone else, but I only pick apart movies with lazy and painfully boring plot devices (the addition of a kid for instance), rehashed villians/stories, poor casting choices, unneccesarily long run times...you get the idea.

I actually had more fun at X3, though it was technically a much worse movie.
What if you didn't know how much the movie's budget was? What if they told you it was only $100M? Would your opinion of the movie be uplifted? Any if yes, how is that fair to the movie itself? I bet you never even thought about the production cost of any movie you ever saw before 1999.

As for the run time, I'd rather see 2.5 hrs rather than 1.5 hrs. I feel that at least I was entertained, however mildly, just that much longer. Besides, all they will do with a 1.5 hr movie is put all the edited clips back into the movie when it comes out on DVD and call it a Director's cut which suddenly everyone is clamoring for anyway. Where's the sense in that?
Old 07-06-06 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by chess

I actually had more fun at X3, though it was technically a much worse movie.
yeah, mindless repetitive action - woohoo... the MTV generation.
Old 07-06-06 | 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by DVD King
...But there are plenty of these all over, like someone here said, you won't have any problem finding them.
Again, take any well done popcorn movie (action flick or so on) and you can pick it apart easily. Im sure some of your favorites have similar issues.

James Bond films are horrendous about plot holes. Most comic book movies are also. Batman Begins is no exception. Superman: The Movie was TERRIBLE for those too (clark jumping out the window and his clothes disappear??). If you dont like it, dont go see them.

If you dont like the story, actors and so on, then thats fine, but finding plot holes to blame your dislike can be hypocritical.

I can't help it if I see these things and others don't, if I'm not so willing to indulge in a childhood fantasy that at times tries to take itself seriously.
Theres your problem right there. Honestly, you could name any comic book movie that you like and we could pick it apart too.
Old 07-06-06 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by DVD King
Personally, if someone had a $200 million + budget to make a film about superman, I want to see something that's better than this-- the director owes it to me.
He owes you? He's selling a product. Of course you don't really know what you're buying until you've already paid for it. Other than the trailers anyway. Maybe they should charge you more because the movie costs more? Like buying a car. A 40k car will cost you $ 800 pr/mo while a 30k car cost only $600 pr/mo. Maybe Bryan Singer should be charging you $14.50 instead of $9 to see his $260 million dollar film. Conversely you could go watch Click for just $4. Unlike other products there is no refund process so you are unfortunately stuck with whatever you watch forever.
Old 07-06-06 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by DVD King
I'm not. I'm talking about lois and richard seeing superman while he's underwater from the window of a seaplane during a storm. I know the kid sensed him, or whatever you want, but Richard and Lois clearly appeared to "see him". And I guess Lois is super too because she was hit by the vault door on the head and woke up soon after like waking up from a nap. But there are plenty of these all over, like someone here said, you won't have any problem finding them. But that's really beside the point and not even a big problem with the picture-- like I stated in my first post: "If you can put the plot holes out of your mind the two biggest problems with the film are the script and lex luthor."

And I'm not "so willing to hate the movie", I see no hate in my arguments. I just don't understand this blasé attitude some of you have that just because a movie is made for enjoyment that we can lower our standards and leave it to roger ebert to critique-- its the same passiveness that leads to the creation of movies like Stealth and Bad Boys 2. Personally, if someone had a $200 million + budget to make a film about superman, I want to see something that's better than this-- the director owes it to me.

I can't help it if I see these things and others don't, if I'm not so willing to indulge in a childhood fantasy that at times tries to take itself seriously. The tired argument is that message boards are for voicing opinions, if you guys don't want to hear any dissension then go check out the ones at the superman homepage. If you're going to let my opinion affect your enjoyment of the film then I think it's worth examing more, rather than telling me to go away
I'm baffled by this insistence that because the movie cost a lot of money, that the audience is owed the highest quality product, all around. Who fucking cares how much the movie cost? Did it come out of your pocket? Unless you were actually pumping money into the production of the film, you aren't owed a thing. The things you mentioned are such nitpicky things, I almost equate it to hate, because you are using the smallest things to find something wrong with this movie. People waking up from a bump on the head happens in numerous movies, but since this one is Superman, and has a freight train of hype behind it, that becomes a massive "plot hole."

I'm sorry you didn't like the film, and I'm sorry that little things (like people recovering quickly from bumps on the head) bother you so much. I never said that you should go away because of your opinion, but I don't like being told in a backhanded way that I should too.
Old 07-06-06 | 01:55 PM
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Its ridiculous to bring budget into whether or not you should like a movie. How much it cost to make should not matter.
Old 07-06-06 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by DVD King
Rocko, if you're going to challenge what I say, don't pick out sentences that you can use to make me look wrong. I already said that the plot holes are "really beside the point and not even a big problem with the picture."
no prob then.

I was just pointing out that plot holes exist in most movies. Superman films are no exceptions.
Old 07-06-06 | 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Giles
yeah, mindless repetitive action - woohoo... the MTV generation.
Right...because Superman Returns was so fucking thought provoking.

I have an idea...how about you don't stereotype me and insult my intelligence just because I didn't love a movie you apparently did.
Old 07-06-06 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Jamers
What if you didn't know how much the movie's budget was? What if they told you it was only $100M? Would your opinion of the movie be uplifted? Any if yes, how is that fair to the movie itself? I bet you never even thought about the production cost of any movie you ever saw before 1999.
Clearly you missed the point. Point was that there were no constraints put on this film and that it therefore does not get a curve...at least not from me.

As for the run time, I'd rather see 2.5 hrs rather than 1.5 hrs. I feel that at least I was entertained, however mildly, just that much longer. Besides, all they will do with a 1.5 hr movie is put all the edited clips back into the movie when it comes out on DVD and call it a Director's cut which suddenly everyone is clamoring for anyway. Where's the sense in that?
I'd rather see right around two hours...about as long as an action movie can sustain its momentum.
Old 07-06-06 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by chess
Right...because Superman Returns was so fucking thought provoking.

I have an idea...how about you don't stereotype me and insult my intelligence just because I didn't love a movie you apparently did.
okay, I'm sorry if my response came across as that "mean" - it wasn't supposed to.

my point was to point out that X-Men 3 motive was just to barrage the viewer with as many scenes of action as possilbe, but without that much pathos or characterization that 'Superman Returns' does... sure, both films have their flaws, X-Men 3 moreso. But, I think that Ratner was so preoccupied with pleasing the fans, he missed the point or skills as a director to even make the fight scenes that memorable or exciting as say even the first two X-Men films did. My comments were reflective to my take on the film, not you - sorry.
Old 07-06-06 | 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by chess
I'd rather see right around two hours...about as long as an action movie can sustain its momentum.
First off, its not an action movie.

I suspect that if you had liked the film, the running time probably would not have been an issue.

For me, the time flew by.
Old 07-06-06 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Giles
okay, I'm sorry if my response came across as that "mean" - it wasn't supposed to.

my point was to point out that X-Men 3 motive was just to barrage the viewer with as many scenes of action as possilbe, but without that much pathos or characterization that 'Superman Returns' does... sure, both films have their flaws, X-Men 3 moreso. But, I think that Ratner was so preoccupied with pleasing the fans, he missed the point or skills as a director to even make the fight scenes that memorable or exciting as say even the first two X-Men films did. My comments were reflective to my take on the film, not you - sorry.
Cool.

Ironically, I'll admit to grading X3 on a curve...given the turmoil around it, how short the production schedule was, and how low my expectations were.

I was pleasantly surprised, I guess...but I don't have any misconceptions about its flaws. They were many and varied...but I still enjoyed it.
Old 07-06-06 | 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by RockStrongo
First off, its not an action movie.
Yes...yes it is.

I suspect that if you had liked the film, the running time probably would not have been an issue.

For me, the time flew by.
You are absolutely correct on this point. It wasn't so much that is WAS long...but more that it FELT long.

Edit to remind: I didn't hate the movie. I was just disappointed in a few things (mostly the kid, which I hated), and I was frankly a bit bored in a few spots.
Old 07-06-06 | 02:34 PM
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I can't understand the harshness of the reviews here. It kind of seems like people are writing essays on the movies for a film literature class or something. I don't understand how some of you ever enjoy any of the movies you watch if you can pick apart a movie like that.

Sure this movie isn't the Godfather, but at least enjoy it for what it's worth. I think the hype and expectation of this film as done a loop around everyone's head. It's made everyone overly critical of the movie.

I have a friend and all he does is criticize every movie he watches. He never watches it for what it is and never enjoys the movie. Come on people, it's a movie not rocket science. It's supposed to entertain you first and if it teaches you second that's fine, but at least give it a chance.

I don't think half the people who go to movies go for enterainment anymore, they go because they all want to be film critics.
Old 07-06-06 | 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by chess
Yes...yes it is.
I guess you define an action movie differently than I.

To me, Die Hard is an action movie where it relies on its action versus characters and story. I agree that an action movie should not be more than about 1.5-2 hours.

This movie falls into the adventure/fantasy movies for me where there is action, but the story/characters drive the film more (like Harry Potter and so on).

Thats why if you dont like the characters and story, I can see this being a disappointment; whereas an action movie can easily be liked based on the action alone.
Old 07-06-06 | 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by jiggawhat
I can't understand the harshness of the reviews here. It kind of seems like people are writing essays on the movies for a film literature class or something. I don't understand how some of you ever enjoy any of the movies you watch if you can pick apart a movie like that.

Sure this movie isn't the Godfather, but at least enjoy it for what it's worth. I think the hype and expectation of this film as done a loop around everyone's head. It's made everyone overly critical of the movie.

I have a friend and all he does is criticize every movie he watches. He never watches it for what it is and never enjoys the movie. Come on people, it's a movie not rocket science. It's supposed to entertain you first and if it teaches you second that's fine, but at least give it a chance.

I don't think half the people who go to movies go for enterainment anymore, they go because they all want to be film critics.
Now there's a manifesto any moron can get behind.

"Superman" aside, people would rather see great films than have to make excuses or lower their expectations, and excellence isn't necessarily synonymous with elitism.


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