The following is a review of Superman written by my good friend Don Crandall. He's the man when it comes to reviews so I thought I would share. I have yet to see the film but I plan to eventually. Enjoy...
SUPERMAN IS BACK, SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
So I was so excited about this one, the "big one" for me this year. Seeing that Bryan Singer "sequelized" the old films, rather than made a "remake" or "reinvention," this was big news for me. Superman the Movie is Dombles’ #8 fave film, and Superman II is #11. The great news is, yes, this is very much a sequel to Superman II (you just have to "go with it" that they’re all new actors, and 25 years later in the world.) I’m thrilled that much of the art direction is the same (esp. the Krypton stuff) and the characterizations are exactly in tune with what Donner & the Salkinds did in the old films. Best of all is the frequent usage of John Williams’ genius score and the many variations of our old beloved themes. If you’re a film score buff, get out there & pick up the CD right now! The opening credits may give you chills, and certainly a feeling of great nostalgia.So how is the actual movie? Fear not, it’s good. Not in the league of Superman I or (even despite its Richard Lester faults) Superman II, but it’s enjoyable from start to finish. Brandon Routh is a great Man of Steel and a good Clark Kent. Bosworth is fine as Lois, but didn’t overwhelm me. Spacey is a terrific actor, but maybe it was the writing or directing here, it just didn’t seem to ever reach its potential. Still, Spacey has a lotta presence, and is nice to watch him in the iconic role.The story is a dark chapter in Supes’ & Lois’ life, hence, I think, the somewhat dark look & tone of the film. Admittedly, it’s a wee bit serious & somber to be the joyous ride the first 2 Superman films were. It’s a bit anticlimactic as well. And Singer’s sometimes almost lethargic pacing made me recall just why X-Men 1 & 2 weren’t perfect films. But there’s plenty of coolness here & there, and so much for superfans of the old Reeve films to keep it fascinating. Is this a problem, I wonder, with this film being so reliant on the specifics of the old films, that the young generation(s) of viewers might be scratching their heads at times? Two elements are so dependant of having seen the first 2 films. One is the Kryptonian crystals and the other is... well, this is a spoiler-free review, but try to remember back to Superman II, and one of the unique events to the Superman lore that occurred in the film.I had to give this film kudos for catoring (hopefully not exclusively) to us 30 & 40-something fans of the Reeve films. There’s a lotta love on the screen, and Singer knows & loves the material. Not quite a joy to behold, but we finally get a proper continuation of Superman I & II’s terrific storyline, which, like the best Star Trek movies, really shakes up the mythology and takes it to a new level. And it’s a very good film in its own right. "Better than Batman Begins?" Maybe not quite, but I’m more a Supes fan than the Bat, so I liked it more.Plus, if yer lucky, you’ll see the new Spider-man 3 trailer before the film!Don Crandall
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