Blue, Baby...Blue

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Blue, Baby...Blue

I strongly hinted Friday morning that Bryan Singer's Superman Returns (Warner Bros., 6.28), which I'd seen the night before, is a very good film. One thing I felt free to actually say at the time (there was a review embargo in effect) is that it delivers in terms of emotionality and a palpable theme. Now that it's okay to write something, we need to admit something: Superman Returns is perhaps not a vital movie for our times. We all know it's primarily an attempt to re-launch a franchise so a bunch of fat guys can make a lot of dough...guys who have more than enough as is.

But despite this uninspired raison d'etre, Superman Returns still feels like a truly personal film that came from somebody's heart. And this, to me, is an extraordin- ary thing, and why it surprised me as much as it did.

Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth in Bryan Singer's Superman Returns

It's a hell of an upgrade (it refines and deepens in the tradition of Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins), an extremely reverent nostalgia piece, an above-average chick flick, an extremely sumptous and harmonious piece of work (Singer is a masterful technican and film "composer") and, frequently enough, a solid action thriller.

For many Superman Returns will probably have to be seen twice -- once in a regular theatre and a second time in 3D IMAX. Only about 20 minutes' worth will be in 3D, but it'll be worth the price, trust me.

I said Friday morning that the film has a breathtaking 3D airborne action sequence that delivered the greatest sensory thrill I've ever gotten from a mainstream movie in my life. What's striking is that this sequence is obviously a replay of the finale of Paul Greengrass's United 93, and that Singer has to be aware what this sequence delivers in a fantasy sense.

The almost bizarre time-trip element in Superman Returns feels curious at first. With Brandon Routh obviously chosen to play Superman/Clark Kent because he resembles Christopher Reeve in his late '70s heyday....with not only John Williams' theme music from Richard Donner's 1978 original Superman but the same kind of blue-laser graphics used in the opening credits...with the return of Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), Jimmy Olsen (Sam Huntington), Perry White (Frank Langella), a bald- headed Lex Luthor villain (Kevin Spacey), the voice and image of Marlon Brando as Jor-El and even Glenn Ford as Clark Kent's dad (deceased in the film but with his photo sitting on a mantlepiece in the Kent home)...this is really old-home week.

But it's more than just a return to the Carter years mentality, and more than an attempt to recreate the fascination that the first two Superman flicks enjoyed over that two-year period.

(Fans will recall that Superman II, released in '80, was partly directed by Donner and partly by Richard Lester, who went on to direct part III entirely.)

Superman Returns feels as if Singer and his team loaded up the finest 2006 CG technology in a big suitcase and time-tripped back to 1982 and '83 in order to make the Superman III that should have happened (instead of the Richard Pryor version that did).

And yet Singer has made a much better film than part I or part II -- craftier, a bit dryer, more fully rendered, less comic book-y, and more deeply felt.

Singer makes movies about gifted outcasts, and this is easily his saddest and most personal to date -- not just about a superhero who's forced to live in his own realm and walks around with a broken heart, but one who's more or less doomed to stay that way. The poor guy (Routh) is good and gentle, simple but generous of heart...and yet he's stuck in that blue suit and wine-red cape forever. And either you get the sadness of that situation or you don't.

If you don't you may go out the weekend after Superman Returns opens and join the nationwide spirit-of-Cancun party that will happen in theatres playing Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest...great.

But if you feel that interior stuff and emotional currents are what make movies whole, and if the wafer-thin attitude dance that was Gore Verbinski's Pirates of the Caribbean felt like a problem (I say this recognizing that for the vast majority, this emptiness is a celebrated asset), you're may be more on the Superman Returns side of the fence.

The story is basically about unrequited love -- the subtitle should be Love Stinks.

It begins with Superman returning to earth after a five-year absence out in space (a voyage of self-discovery) to find Lois, whom he abandoned when he left the planet, living with Perry White's nephew Jack (James Marsden) and raising a son.

There are complications, naturally, presented by Mr. Luthor and his latest scheme to destroy and dominate the U.S. and its economy, blah, blah, and I'm not dismissing the generic hero vs. villain material ...it's fine. But the current that matters -- the thing that has Singer's interest -- is about Clark, Lois, Jack and the boy...about trust, intimacy, emotional consistency and what it takes to make a family.

At first I didn't recognize Noel Neill, who played Lois Lane in the 1950s "Superman" TV series, playing a rich lady being fleeced by Luthor at the moment of her death, but there's no missing Jack Larson, the TV series' Jimmy Olsen, as a bartender in a scene with the new Jimmy and Clark.

There's genuine beauty and majesty in the visuals of Routh (who's a good actor but more noticably a very beautiful man) tearing around in the sky, and particularly as he soars 40 or 50 miles above the globe. There's one special moment when he's not exactly flying but orbiting, meditative and statue-like as he looks down at the dull-diamond glow of the clustered cities below, and then he "sees" something and he's off like a bullet.

I loved especially that Singer ends the film in almost the exact same way that Donner's does, and yet Singer holds back on one particular bit -- the difference between a re-do and a recreation.

Superman Returns is dedicated to poor Chris Reeve, who died in October '04, and his late widow Dana, who passed last March from lung cancer.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 10, 2006 at 11:39 AM

comment #1

Dan R% says ...

Dammit Wells! I am so looking forward to this now, it's not even funny. Batman Begins was one of the best films of last year. I'm glad Warners/DC is treating their properties with respect...sorta how Marvel was at the beginning of their movie ventures.

I am definitely seeing this IMAX all the way.

Posted by Dan R% at June 10, 2006 1:00 PM

comment #2

Ken Y. says ...

So does the review ban being lifted this quickly mean that most of the early reviews are positive? Warners wouldn't have lifted the ban if they felt most of the reviews were negative, would they?

Posted by Ken Y. at June 10, 2006 1:58 PM

comment #3

alfred says ...

I'm glad Warners/DC is treating their properties with respect...sorta how Marvel was at the beginning of their movie ventures.

was being the keyword.

I can't wait.
Pirates of the Caribbean is something I can possibly wait for. I hated the first one, it was way too slow.
It was like the screenwriters knew about dialog and were like "sigh,alright" and then when action started said "thank god now let's have fun!"

Posted by alfred at June 10, 2006 2:02 PM

comment #4

Anonymous says ...

Sounds boring and pretentios to me. I'm 17 years old, going to film school next year. I appreciate the cinematic art of making movies. I'm also an avid comic book reader. When I see a summer blockbuster called SUPERMAN, I want some super-villians, which this film apparently doesn't have. Guess I'll have to wait for SPIDER-MAN 3. I do, however, want to check out the IMAX 3D, so at least I'll hopefully get my monies worth.

Posted by Anonymous at June 10, 2006 4:38 PM

comment #5

Mr. Sinister says ...

"Sounds boring and pretentious to me. I'm 17 years old, going to film school next year."

Actually, kiddo...that sounds boring and pretentious. This movie should be what it looks to be...a lot of good fun. You don't need to justify your opinions by stating your position in life. Luthor is the best kind of villain, because he wants what Superman has...and since he can't have it, he seeks to destroy him. That's what makes him one of the best villains of all time.

Posted by Mr. Sinister at June 10, 2006 5:19 PM

comment #6

Daniel Zelter says ...

"(Fans will recall that Superman II, released in '80, was partly directed by Donner and partly by Richard Lester, who went on to direct part III entirely.)"

Superman II was completely directed by Donner. The only thing Richard Moviemolester did was stuff some stock footage from the first film into the second film and get a DGA credit. Anyway, I'm trying to avoid reading any plot spoilers, so no comment.

" When I see a summer blockbuster called SUPERMAN, I want some super-villians, which this film apparently doesn't have. Guess I'll have to wait for SPIDER-MAN 3."

I just hope that the latter film costing $50 million more than the former film means more action and not just another Batman and Robin-like debacle.

Posted by Daniel Zelter at June 10, 2006 5:41 PM

comment #7

Chad says ...

"Superman II was completely directed by Donner. The only thing Richard Moviemolester did was stuff some stock footage from the first film into the second film and get a DGA credit."

Actually, Donner didnt direct most of Superman II:

http://superman.rossiters.com/s2_main.html

He did direct a version of it, but the version we SAW was in large part directed by Lester.

Posted by Chad at June 10, 2006 6:12 PM

comment #8

lesterg says ...

Dave Poland and a few other columnists have mentioned that Jeff is in the minority in terms of his praise (the average word-of-mouth coming out of the screening seems to be "fair"). I will say that I agree with Jeff more than most, so the chances of my own personal enjoyment are probably pretty high.

Posted by lesterg at June 10, 2006 6:20 PM

comment #9

Smashingworth says ...

Will Superman IMAX be entirely uncut? I heard the movie was quite long, and sometimes IMAX has problems with that.

Posted by Smashingworth at June 10, 2006 8:00 PM

comment #10

delbomber says ...

If Jeff is in the minority then I respect the hell out of him for going out on a limb so soon after his double-whammy guffaws with 'The Omen' and 'The Breakup'.

Wells has led me astray in the past ('City of Ghosts', 'Elephant' to name two off the top of my head), however deep down he's a spiritual guy, and he *gets* movies that speak to the soul and echo the wonder of our journey. This may just be a franchise re-launching cash cow comic book movie as he says, but portraying Kal-El as a tragic figure is a bold move that speaks to art rather than pure commercialism (like the profoundly vapid 'Spiderman' movies). Put another way, Singer seems to have made a Superman film rather than a movie, which will certainly upset the popcorn crowd while resonating with those open to a long overdue serious treatment of a very worthy fictional icon.

Posted by delbomber at June 10, 2006 8:18 PM

comment #11

Zach says ...

sounds awesome!! im very excited for this movie.

Posted by Zach at June 10, 2006 10:05 PM

comment #12

Nicol D says ...

"...like the profoundly vapid 'Spiderman' movies)"

Not at all. The Spiderman movies have been the most successful franchises yet because they are neither pretentious not vapid. The theme of power vs. responsiblilty and sacrifice runs through them in ways that are strong and poignant.

Raimi just doesn't sacrifice entertainment to make the point. Spiderman 2 is perhaps the greatest superhero film made yet and Superman Returns should be proud if it is even a scintilla as effective.

Posted by Nicol D at June 11, 2006 7:15 AM

comment #13

Jeffrey Wells says ...

How did I step into a double-whammy guffaw with 'The Omen'? The box-office take exceeded the tracking... a surprise to everyone. 'The Breakup' did a whole lot better than projected, especially based on the early numbers...the quoting of which two or three weeks out proved, well, misleading. But of course, my review of 'The Break-Up' was fairly positive, and I was unable to hate 'The Omen', blah, blah.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells at June 11, 2006 8:06 AM

comment #14

Alan says ...

Well, this review made me happy. So take that for what it is. I was certain Jeff Wells was gonna hate this.

Posted by Alan at June 11, 2006 8:25 AM

comment #15

Suki Jonze says ...

yeah, i just saw supes also. much better than i expected. bryan is really setting this up for more in the future. "returns" is more about returning superman to cinema.

suki

Posted by Suki Jonze at June 11, 2006 8:37 AM

comment #16

Codemorse says ...

Nice review. As someone who tends to agree with Mr. Wells approximately.... well....never, I was pleasantly surprised to read such a thoughtful and balanced review of a Summer Blockbuster.

I've been excited for this film since Singer was announced as director, and it looks like I won't be disappointed.

Posted by Codemorse at June 11, 2006 10:08 AM

comment #17

Anonymous says ...

I think it was a tad too serious for my tastes.
I don't mean I wanted it to be a simple cash cow, but it would be nice if it was more like the spiderman I always saw in the fox kids tv show and the comic books; funny, serious and smart.
I never understood why he had to ask doc oc how to turn off the machine when peter himself could easily do it with the level of intelligence he was supposed to have.

Posted by Anonymous at June 11, 2006 10:48 AM

comment #18

Louis says ...

I gotta agree w/ "delbomber" & the nameless poster above: The Spiderman movies didn't get the character quite right. Peter Parker isn't really the awkward kid he should be portrayed as nor the wise-ass superhero from the comics. The bridge set piece from the first movie?- as the fan boys have complained about for years, Gwen Stacy was the girl & she died, not Mary Jane who lived!?! Had they kept the original story outcome the movie may have had that heart-felt resonance for the moral lesson of "with great power comes great responsiblity". Instead the movie came off exactly as if some studio exec made all the creative decisions ("gotta have a happy ending!). Sure, I liked the Spiderman movies but I think they're good, not great, movies.

Posted by Louis at June 11, 2006 11:45 AM

comment #19

delbomber says ...

Jeff...you were very outspoken about expecting both of these movies (Breakup and Omen) to a) suck and b) tank. Your honest reviews after seeing them was a respectable mea culpa. Of course this wasn't a major controversy, but it seemed like you took some heat from a few colleagues, associates, et al. Maybe I misunderstood...regardless, to have come out so quickly with a heartfelt and glowing review of Supe prior to the formation of a critical consensus exhibited the straight-shooting and fuck-all attitude that makes you, despite some frustrating ideological differences, my sole source of Hollywood banter.

While it turns out the early word on Rotten Tomatoes is extremely positive, eschewing potential criticism on the heals of the tracking fiasco was a ballsy thing to do.

Bravo is all I meant to say.

Posted by delbomber at June 11, 2006 1:34 PM

comment #20

delbomber says ...

As for Spidey...

...those movies are vapid in the sense that they reek of commercial influences and executive meddling, just as Louis says. As maligned as 'Hulk' is, it at least attempted to be a serious movie about a man who happens to grow large and green when he becomes angry, not some hyper-kinetic big-screen adaptation with some contrived dramatic flair thrown in to echo the sentiment of its source a la Spiderman 1 & 2.

They were both fun summer movies, but lets not pretend they were any sort of dramatic achievement. Supe may ultimately disappoint a lot people for taking the dramatic route, but to hell with them...10, 20 years from now it will still be a poignant and introspective case study while Spiderman will be an outmoded actioner with dated special effects.

Of course I say all this without actually having seen 'Superman Returns', so I am in fact speaking directly from my arse...

Posted by delbomber at June 11, 2006 1:39 PM

comment #21

Bobbie Jensen says ...

This was more of a review of Brian Singer than Superman Returns? What about the movie itself? What about the performances? The action? "Blah blah blah" isn't a good enough explanation. I know you said the plane action scene was a thrill ride but is it because of the 3D or the scene itself? Kevin Spacey's Luthor is one of the main reasons I'm looking forward to this movie and he doesn't even get a mention.

Posted by Bobbie Jensen at June 11, 2006 4:36 PM

comment #22

Michael Morning says ...

Spiderman 2 was NOT the best superhero film ever made...that would have to go to Batman Begins, X-Men 2 or the first Spiderman. The second Spiderman was just poorly done...Sam Raimi zeroing in on the constantly screaming women like some cheap horror movie, Spiderman's powers were all over the map...as strong as Superman to stop a runaway train, but able to punch Doc Ock (a normal human) full in the face - repeatedly - without having any effect. Also, the end...Mary Jane having to give a whole dialog explanation...unnecessary. Just having her standing in the doorway in her wedding gown would have been better. Also, having to fully explain all the Green Goblin stuff with Harry...the maniacle laughter of his father would have been enough. Just bad cinema - very amateurish and unworthy considering the dramatic effect of the first film.

Posted by Michael Morning at June 12, 2006 8:52 AM

comment #23

Adrian Johnson says ...

I wouldn't call Batman Begins, Spider-man or X2 the best comic movies ever made. They all have significant flaws.

Batman Begins and Spider-man both start out strongly establishing their main character's origins and how they came to be heroes. However, both films suffer from a lackluster 2nd half and having action for the sake of having action. And the action in Spider-man and Batman Begins was staged in a ho-hum way. Spider-man's battles with the Goblin were underwhelming (no air battles), poorly shot (the CGI was terrible) and short...nothing epic about it at all. Batman's fight scenes were butchered by editing, were shot way too dark and that car chase was one of the most boring ever put on film.

X2 started out great with the Nightcrawler sequence and had an interesting storyline for the mostpart but that movie bogged down during the 2nd half and ran on for at least 20 minutes too long. The Wolverine/Lady Deathstrike fight was there for the sake of having a fight between two characters with claws lol. Chief characters (Cyclops and Storm) once again got poor screentime or had little to do.

Posted by Adrian Johnson at June 12, 2006 9:24 AM

comment #24

michael morning says ...

Well, everyone has an opinion, Adrian. You gave all your negatives for why Batman Begins, Spiderman, and X2 weren't the best superhero films every made...so which movie(s), in your opinion, IS?

Posted by michael morning at June 12, 2006 9:48 AM

comment #25

Smitty45 says ...

Excellent.

These early "mini reviews" are reinforcing my initial opinion that Singer has managed to reintroduce Superman to a new generation, and do it with intelligence, passion and an element of nostalgia.

Out of 8 or 9 of these review snippets, I've only seen one that's a notch below pure praise, so I'm not sure how Wells' take is somehow in the minority.

Looking forward to it!

Posted by Smitty45 at June 12, 2006 10:26 AM

comment #26

Erick Voshel says ...

Thanks for the positive review on "Superman Returns" I have been so looking foward to this for a long time. I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

Posted by Erick Voshel at June 12, 2006 11:51 AM

comment #27

Jeff Oyer says ...

Doesn't the whole "Superman being away for five years, Lois with a kid" storyline bother anyone else? Agreed, the comics are more of a roadmap than a template for a movie adaptation, but flying (no pun intended) in the face of established mythology this way just sticks in my craw. I don't see what would have been wrong with doing a semi-restart, a'la Batman Begins. You wouldn't have to delve into the entire history, b/c I believe you would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't already know his origin, or at least know someone who could fill them in.

And Mr. Adrian Johnson, not sure what car chase you were watching in Batman Begins, but "boring" is hardly the word. Watching the tumbler actually perform was amazing.

Best comic book movies (in order): Batman Begins, X2, Spider-Man 2 (although I do agree that him being strong enough to stop a train is a little out there; that's Superman-strong).

Posted by Jeff Oyer at June 13, 2006 8:21 AM

comment #28

Michael Morning says ...

Jeff, good points on the Superman storyline. Worst point of it, I feel, is the fact that Clark and Superman both show up at the same time...after both having been gone for 5 years. This is also supposed to be the same Lois who figured out Clark was Superman in Superman II (with far less evidence), so it's a little silly in that respect. Also, no spoilers, but there is more to the whole kid thing than meets the eye (thankfully).

Bad points of Superman Returns I don't like: Characters look way too young (they lack the adult presence that Reeve and Kidder had on screen to carry the movie), the Superman costume is really terrible...bad neckline, bad maroon coloring, cheesy looking go-go boot style, the yellow "S" is missing from the cape, and the laser-etched "S" symbols all over the suit were really an exercise in self-indulgence on Bryan Singer's part. They were going for a 1930's/40's look with the coloring and I think it just turned out odd (especially given that this movie takes place in the future of the previous movies). It's just Singer being artsy-fartsy.

Good points: I actually like the idea of continuity within the existing first two Superman movies (the crystal look of Krypton, Brando as Jor-El, etc.). The look was different than the comics, but iconic and timeless all at once. Very inspired, given the time period, budget, and limited technology.

Also, I think that the music is arguably some of the absolute best theme music ever produced for any movie (ranking right up there with Star Wars). There simply is no way I can imagine that they could have done anything better (most every other superhero movie has had a noted lack of a decent theme). And not only the theme, but most every piece within the old movies is excellent in its own right (the main theme, the Krypton theme, and the love theme all spring to mind as memorable).

I know the little kid in most people (including myself) will kick in to high gear sitting in a darkened theater as that music begins to play and the blue and silver block letters come zooming across the screen just like they did all those years ago...the music rising to a crescendo as the familiar red and yellow "S" blazes to life...it's Superman!

Posted by Michael Morning at June 13, 2006 9:30 AM

comment #29

Scott Shlay says ...

When I heard Singer was doing Superman i initially thought, amazing.....but only because hes leaving the X-men franchise after butchering the first movie and luckly rebounding himself off the complaints of the fans. Then i thought well now x-men will be better that hes gone, but now Superman is gonna be the one to pay for it. Singer likes to do things his own way and in Comic book adaptations you're really not supposed to, you take the real story and you make it your own. There's nothing to this movie that makes me go ooooh ahhhhh...... regardless I'm gonna still see it, but for this one im going to keep my opes down low in an attempt to have them brought up during the movie. Lex is a great character, but so is Joker and Nolan didn't use him as the villain in an attempt to make a good movie. Lex, Joker..... Of course they're the #1s of the hero, but lex can't fight superman, he just sets up traps like Elmer Fudd, also Warner.

Posted by Scott Shlay at June 13, 2006 9:58 AM

comment #30

silvio says ...

this movie will suck!! Its Superman!! He needs to be doin Superman things. Thats it. Hes a superhero not a soapopera star!!! Geez u wanna be faithfull to the cahracter, make it a action movie for the true fans who wannan see him in action. Singer is a salve to his own ego and trying too hard for that Oscar by butchering the wrong films. Singer if u want the oscar do Brokeback Mountain 2 and get off supehero movies!!

Posted by silvio at June 13, 2006 10:47 AM

comment #31

silvio says ...

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comment #32

Dan Storeman says ...

So tell us... does Superman end up being an illegitimate father and deadbeat dad in this film after abandoning Lois for 5 years â€” thereby rendering the whole movie a pathetic joke merely named after Superman â€” or is he still someone worthy to be a role-model that people can look up to without cringing?

Posted by Dan Storeman at June 13, 2006 7:56 PM

comment #33

karl says ...

so they take the best parts of superman 1/2/3 (4 had no good parts) and its a blockbuster. no. they still manage to screw up his costume, looks like gucci labels all over it. no one figures out that superman and clark were both gone for 5 years and are now both back, duh. lex and a real estate scam, hmm hope they remember otisburg. 5 superman movies all with the same badguy, dosnt really sound so super to me (3 had a fake wannabe lex). same music, clips of brando, same story with same character changeing her mind to save the day, same rooftop interview with flight, lana had the kid before now its lois's turn. nothing new or fresh, how about an original superman movie, I saw this one already 25 years ago.

Posted by karl at June 18, 2006 8:31 PM

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comment #38

Michael says ...

Several things on my list to say...I can never remember them all after reading all your comments:

Firstly, I want to give kudos to Superman Returns. Although it wasn't outstanding, it was pretty damn good. I'm not just a Superman fan either...I'm full fledged geek when it comes to superheros and film...put the two together and I'm uber-dork. So, me being pleased with SR is a big leap in the right direction, and I'm happy with the overall movie. I think it stands against the originals with pride.

I thought it was brilliant to use the original graphics, style, music, and Brando. Pure genius. We all know the reasons they were used...let's get over that. Were they effective? You bet.

Brandon Routh--what can I say, this was an absolute perfect choice for The Man of Steel and Kent. I totally agree with your comment on him Mr. Wells--he's a good actor, but more importantly, he's a beautiful man. He looks absolutely perfect. We all loved Reeve's Superman of course, and of course, they wanted to find a no-name that looked like Reeve's. Not only does he look perfect, but also his mannerisms are fine-tuned to match the original performance by Reeve.

Bosworth? Margot is a much better choice. I think they opted for beauty as opposed to quirky (which I think Margot was). Bosworth is a good actor, don't get me wrong. But she just isn't...Lois.

Spacey? Something deep inside makes me like Hackman's Lex over Spacey's. I don't know why. I think they are both fantastic actors (Spacey may be even a tad better), but Hackman seems even more likely to fit the Lex character through and through.

Good movie. Nuff Said on that. Now onto other things:

"Sounds boring and pretentious to me. I'm 17 years old, going to film school next year."

Excuse me, but weren't you born in '89? You're the pretentious one. You're so young and ignorant, that you don't even realize how retarded your post was. Now stop trying to sound cool and important, and go live a little before you spread your "wisdom." Yes, we all loved the three black-suited villains from Superman II, but Spacey's Lex will just have to do for now.

As far as Spiderman? I think the movies were very entertaining. I think Toby (just like Routh) was a perfect choice for both sides of the hero. He was a perfect Parker, and a perfect Spidey. Yes, he was a bit more of a wise-cracker in the comic book...but so was Conan, and look at how accepted that movie to comic was. I really like Toby. I think he's one of the few actors that deserve to be where he's at. Nice guy. Talented. I own over 300 old-school Spidey's, and I can tell you that I like what they did with Spiderman I & II. I can't wait for III--in fact, I was in S3. My secret will remain safe. :)

Batman Begins...yes, very good movie. But I do not think it was the best [superhero film] ever made. Believe it or not, I liked Batman better. Batman #1 with Keeton and Nicholson was a better film than Begins. I love Bale...I really do. But Keeton (to me) was the perfect Wayne and Batman. Much better than Kilmer and Clooney...and even better than Bale.

Best superhero movies:

1. Superman II
2. Batman
3. Batman Begins
4. Spiderman

Best Comic book movie: Conan

I enjoyed reading all of your posts, I hope you did mine.

Thanks.

~Michael Reed

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