comment #1

alfred says ...

I really don't get why people keeping saying Routh looks like Reeves when the only reason Reeves was cast was because he looked like the character in the comic book.

comment #2

delbomber says ...

Bank it...another glowing review. I'd be willing to bet that the people who will come out against this film fall into two camps: 1) those who want their blockbusters as raucous and brainless as possible or 2) those closet comic book loving critics who hold inferior and derivative characters near to their inner-child's heart, who are unable to overcome their deep-seeded prejudices against the man of steel.

comment #3

Kyle says ...

The reporter loved it too.

Did you hear that? It's the sound of David Poland screaming.

comment #4

Nicol D says ...

The more I hear the raves, the more I know this is a PC Superman for a PC era.

Guaranteed, the smell of Jar Jar is in the air.

Remember, Phantom Menace also got good reviews.

Once the meal was over and the indigestion set in...tums for the tummy.

comment #5

oddDuck says ...

Nicol D, what in the world does the pre-release buzz for Superman have to do Phantom Menace?!? I would say Singer's track record justifies a little faith in the movie. I can see your point about the PC though. I hope what we end up with is something that is iconoclastic and noble, but not so without edge as to bore us to death. Based on the clips and reviews so far, I'm optimistic.

comment #6

travis b. says ...

wasn't the problem with jar jar that he wasn't pc (not to mention annoying and ultimately pointless)?

anyway, i think singer's task comes in making the character of superman somewhat interesting. it's been years since he's held my interest in any sort of medium. so far though, it looks like he may do it.

comment #7

Nicol D says ...

Odd duck,

Singer is a good director...but he is not a great director. His peak is X2 which is a good but not great film.

Based on everything I have read about this, it will be a Menace like miss. Something we all want to like but after all is said and done will be very disappointed in.

This is a very PC Superman. The devil is in the details...

Any director/studio who does not have the cojones to make a Superman who stands for truth, justice and 'the American Way' should not be let anywhere near the project.

This will do 200 mill to be sure, but it will be spoken of in the same hushed tones as Hulk.

comment #8

travis b. says ...

when you say "the devil is in the deatils" are you referring to the rumored sexual orientation of the director and the actor?

and as for the "truth, justice, american way" line...doesn't Perry White say that line in the trailer? just curious...

comment #9

Anonymous says ...

So, basically, Nicol, you want a conservative Superman? Should he be a Christian? A sort of Sean Hannity in a cape?

comment #10

delbomber says ...

A 'PC' Supe? Superman isn't a controversial character to begin with...not sure what you're driving at. Please don't try to politicize this. Besides, it's arguable whether or not the 'American Way' of today exemplifies the virtues that make Superman the iconic hero... the idea of an 'American Way' is a muddled mess.

comment #11

Daniel Zelter says ...

delbomber: Or they could be moviegoers who want something that isn't just an updated version of the Donner films.

Nicol: Huh? Phantom Menace was absolutely loathed by critics.

comment #12

Ian says ...

You are incorrect, Daniel.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/

63 percent "Fresh."

It didn't take long for critics to revise their opinions, but the initial reviews were mostly along the lines of "It's not as good as the first three, but it isn't bad."

comment #13

Daniel Zelter says ...

"You are incorrect, Daniel."

Yes I am. Often too. I think I'll stop polluting Jeffrey's site and go back to the hole I crawled out of - a hole littered with Entertainment Weeklys that have given me a false sense of cinema history of which I like to share like a blowhard, regardless of its accuracy.

comment #14

Nicol D says ...

"A 'PC' Supe? Superman isn't a controversial character to begin with...not sure what you're driving at. Please don't try to politicize this."

No one's 'trying' to politicize anything, friend.

To have Perry White say Supes stands for 'truth justice and all that stuff', given the current climate of Hollywood is about a political a statement as one can make.

Having Supes be a 'dead beat dad' just drives a nail in the coffin.

Superman isn't controversial?

I disagree. The original Superman is very controversial by today's standards which is why Singer/Warner's changed it (no American way, Lois a single mom at 18, Supes psuedo-deadbeat dad etc.)

This is Superman for the latch-key kids generation.

comment #15

Zach says ...

Nicol D,

You haven't seen the movie yet. It sounds like you want to dislike it and are making a lot of judgements before actually seeing it. There is a reason that the reviews are all so positive ...

comment #16

Lurker says ...

Superman for latch key kids? Deadbeat dad? Political Superman?!? Nicol D, the movie may or not be good, but I'm pretty sure you're a douchebag.

comment #17

Anonymous says ...

"Superman for latch key kids? Deadbeat dad? Political Superman?!? Nicol D, the movie may or not be good, but I'm pretty sure you're a douchebag."

Amen to that.

comment #18

Nicol D says ...

Zach,

On principle one does not have to see a film to know if one would like it or not. I have to see the film to know how it is artistically rendered not what the content proper is and how I would react to it.

The content of SR has been on the net for 2 months now and even the earliest reports hold up.

comment #19

guy steele says ...

Wow... interesting feedback on this subject. It should be interesting to see if Singer can make Supe controversial. I have always stated that Supe is the hardest 'hero' to put on the screen.
There is nothing on Earth he can't handle. All the stories have Supe saving Lois Lane or Metropolis when in fact he could stop wars, major crime and starvation in a week or less. I feel for the writers because other than bringing in things from 'other worlds' what else do they have to throw at Supe? Now would it not be interesting if Supe had his fill of us mere mortals and thought... hey I keep helping these lower-lifeforms, shouldn't I be their ruler instead?!

I mean anything is better than Lex using Kryptonite again!

But I want to see the Blue-n-Red Boyscout. Using the John Williams theme is smart in a James Bond way. If you want to know what I mean watch any Bond movie that doesn't use the Norman Theme or some of the Barry cues and you will see that the movie sucks. Even the bad Bonds that use the cues seem somehow better. IT's the music... just like when it's used in Mission Impossible it helps and triggers emotional responses that help you enjoy the endevour even if it's sub-par. That said though there is always exceptions to any rule see The last three Star Wars films and the Pink Panther remake... nothing could save those turkeys!

comment #20

Sean Richardson says ...

> No one's 'trying' to politicize anything, friend.

Dude, you're talking about 'Superman' as if there's a political message, but ignoring the conservative message inherent to the Superman mythos.

> To have Perry White say Supes stands for 'truth justice and all that stuff', given the current climate of Hollywood is about a political a statement as one can make.

Really? So one joke in the trailer based on the fact that everybody knows the "American way" part of the line is as (I'm assuming that was a typo) political a statement as one can make? So if Superman said "George Bush is the worst president ever," that would only be an *equally* political statement? Not moreso? Wow, you really need to get a better gauge; it's not a light switch where "political" is either on or off.

Question: Did you notice in the same ad that they say "Look, it's a bird, it's a plane," but did not then say "It's Superman"? Clearly, the movie is making a statement, and doesn't have Superman in it.

> Having Supes be a 'dead beat dad' just drives a nail in the coffin.

Wow, you know nothing about anything. How is somebody who was never told that they have a son (if, indeed, the child is Superman's, but let's assume that's true *and* pretend that it's common knowledge so as not to yell at you for spoiling it) a deadbeat dad?

> I disagree. The original Superman is very controversial by today's standards

That's foolish.

> which is why Singer/Warner's changed it (no American way, Lois a single mom at 18, Supes psuedo-deadbeat dad etc.)

More foolishness. Your definition of "single mom" is highly flawed if it includes people who got married before having sex, got temporarily abandoned, and got married *again* so that the child would have a father (who may or may not be the biological father).

Do you even see how skewed your vision is? Do you keep your left eye closed because of it's partisan POV?

> This is Superman for the latch-key kids generation.

I really love it when people paint "Trying to make enough money for their kids to eat" as a negative moral choice parents can make without ever trying to consider deeper reasons behind the decision.

I say again, if Superman has a political POV, it's conservative. But I guess it's not conservative enough for you... It would be funnier, though, if you actually made points from the movie, instead of taking jokes and warping them into some bizarre pseudo-statement about America.

comment #21

oddDuck says ...

Sean, well said. Nicol D's series of comments in this thread just don't hold up, and actually border on the nonsensical.

comment #22

travis b. says ...

When I think of Superman, the "american way" line isn't really the first thing that pops up. I think of the character as more of a gift to the world instead of just the U.S. You have to remember that when Superman was created (1938) it was ripe for use of propaganda due to the war. Just look at some of the covers from the era (actually a fascinating look at propaganda techniques during the war). After the war and especially during the 1950's, when comic books were under fire by conservatives for being too violent and having homosexual overtones that the writers really pushed the "american way" quotient in Superman. The more modern tellings retain the truth and justice idea, but use it in a universal way that doesn't leave a sense of American superiority that was there in the earlier comics. You can even hear this same idea in the line that Marlon Brando reads in the trailer (which was recorded in the late 70's). So, to say that the rejection of "the american way" is singer's idea is not exactly true, because it's been that way for a while in the comic books. As for the Lois having a child out of wedlock A.) there's nothing un-american about that and B.) it adds a new dimension to the story which is actually interesting. Superman is one of the hardest characters to make interesting in any medium (which i said in an above post) and this already brings a new angle that hasn't been explored anywhere else. Good for the filmmakers for taking a chance and doing something different when they could have taken the easy way out and just rehashed some old comic stories.

comment #23

Kyle says ...

I just don't get how you can comment on a movie you haven't seen.

comment #24

Nicol D says ...

Sean,

"I really love it when people paint "Trying to make enough money for their kids to eat" as a negative moral choice parents can make without ever trying to consider deeper reasons behind the decision."

How about, "trying to make enough money so that we can have two cars, a cottage, lots of nifto gadgets we don't use and a trip to Disney world while we let a nanny take care of our children who we see for about an hour a night".

Travis,

"As for the Lois having a child out of wedlock A.) there's nothing un-american about that..."

Didn't say there was. But depicting it in such a way that makes it look as though Lois got pregnant when she was 18, did not struggle, won a Pulitzer and never really had to fight is sending a message that is about as far removed from reality as I can think.

Being a teen mother is a lot of things...easy is not one of them.

As for 'conservative' groups reading gay subtext into comic heroes.

Not true. That is a modern myth by left wing types who read homo-erotic overtones into everything. It never came from the right...it came from the left.

The superhero as 'homoerotic' is SOP for virtually every soc university course.

comment #25

Anonymous says ...

nichol, or should i say "Dr. Laura".....do you live in the real world? Oh, I know that multi millionaires like Dr. Laura and Shauwn Hannity think that any family that has two working parents is doing so simply to afford nanny's, boats and vacation homes, but guess what? An awful lot of people do not make enough to support a family on one income, especially in certain parts of the country. Simple mathematics.

comment #26

Mark Grasinski says ...

nichol, or should i say "Dr. Laura".....do you live in the real world? Oh, I know that multi millionaires like Dr. Laura and Shauwn Hannity think that any family that has two working parents is doing so simply to afford nanny's, boats and vacation homes, but guess what? An awful lot of people do not make enough to support a family on one income, especially in certain parts of the country. Simple mathematics.

comment #27

Travis B. says ...

"As for 'conservative' groups reading gay subtext into comic heroes. Not true. That is a modern myth by left wing types who read homo-erotic overtones into everything. It never came from the right...it came from the left. The superhero as 'homoerotic' is SOP for virtually every soc university course"

ah, nicol, you couldn't be more wrong.

You see, this isn’t something the left or the right made up. This is actual history. And the purpose of learning history is so we don’t make the same mistakes those before us have made. So, why don’t you cool the rhetoric for a moment, pull up a chair and open your mind, you may learn something.

Dr. Frederick Wertham wrote “The Seduction of the Innocent” in 1954 linking comic books with juvenile delinquency and homosexuality. His writings didn’t begin there, but in 1947 when he began publishing articles for journals linking the above. What occurred was a backlash against comic books, specifically EC comics, which produced a horror line, and then National Comics (later DC), which produced Superman and Batman. Batman was specifically attacked due to the supposed homosexual link between Batman and Robin (which is why Batgirl and Batwoman were later introduced in the 50’s).

The outcome of this were Senate hearings and the eventual agreement of the comic industry to self-police themselves with the Comic Code Authority, a censorship board that is still in use today (although it really serves no purpose anymore). If you’re looking for proof Nicol, just look at any of the comics produced from the 50’s on and you’ll see that little CCA insignia on every cover.

The worst thing to come of this was the destruction of several artists and writers livelihoods. They lost their jobs and were pretty much blacklisted from the industry resulting in several suicides. The comic industry itself took a tumble both creatively and financially until Stan Lee’s Marvel Comics introduced the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man in the early 60’s.

So, please Nicol, before you spout your party line bullshit, do a little research. In fact, do some research about the character of Superman that you are so ranting about since you obviously have no idea what you’re talking about in this thread. You’ll save us all a lot of time.

Cheers.

comment #28

NYCBusybody says ...

I think they should do a liberal Superman where instead of saving someone from falling, Supe organizes a collective of concerned citizens to analyze the socio-economic implications of intervening in the situation, and perhaps being careful not to the civil rights of gravity by plucking the woman from mid-air.

comment #29

NYCBusybody says ...

^not to violate the civil rights of gravity, I meant to say.

comment #30

Daniel Zelter says ...

Nicol: "To have Perry White say Supes stands for 'truth justice and all that stuff', given the current climate of Hollywood is about a political a statement as one can make."

The line has nothing to do with politics. It has to do with appealing to teens.

"Having Supes be a 'dead beat dad' just drives a nail in the coffin."

He's not a dead beat. He just needs some time alone.

"On principle one does not have to see a film to know if one would like it or not."

In some cases, I'd agree. I knew that's how I'd feel with War of the Worlds.

"How about, "trying to make enough money so that we can have two cars, a cottage, lots of nifto gadgets we don't use and a trip to Disney world while we let a nanny take care of our children who we see for about an hour a night"."

So you're referring to Bush's daughters?

"But depicting it in such a way that makes it look as though Lois got pregnant when she was 18, did not struggle, won a Pulitzer and never really had to fight is sending a message that is about as far removed from reality as I can think."

DC comics were never really known for their "realism" as much as those in Marvel.

"Being a teen mother is a lot of things...easy is not one of them."

I don't think anyone disagrees with that.

"Not true. That is a modern myth by left wing types who read homo-erotic overtones into everything."

We're not the ones who think Tinky Winky and Sponge Bob(a sponge being an asexual organism, I might add) are gay.

comment #31

NYCBusybody says ...

The other element to a liberal Superman would be to have Supe slander the American military just to impress an inbred hippie chick, only to find that he hasn't eaten enough meat in his life to get erect.

comment #32

Eric says ...

Time, Newsweek, Variety, the Hollywood Reporter -- Superman Returns is shaping up to be one of the best reviewed movies of the year.

comment #33

NYCBusybody says ...

"Time, Newsweek, Variety, the Hollywood Reporter -- Superman Returns is shaping up to be one of the best reviewed movies of the year."

That's only because a gay guy directed it, and we all know the Gay Mafia runs the show.

comment #34

craptastic says ...

Eh, just shut up you assholes and see the film!

comment #35

NYCBusybody says ...

I hereby nominate "Eh, just shut up you assholes and see the film!" to be the official last post of every thread hereonout.

comment #36

lesterg says ...

I still believe that non-fanboy buzz simply isn't there, but more glowing reviews could definately turn the tide.

I will honestly feel bad for WB employees if this tanks. After Poseidon, I'd have to imagine a lot of folks are going be walking the plank if this doesn't redeem them.

comment #37

delbomber says ...

I hereby nominate "Eh, shut the fuck up NYCBusybody" to be the official last post of every thread hijacked by BusyBee hereonout.

Hey man, it's cool you're from NY, (I am too, so this remark isn't spawned from inferiority) but wearing it on your sleeve like you do reeks of insecurity and anemic self esteem.

comment #38

NYCBusybody says ...

Except...I don't especially like living in NYC. I kind of like some things about it, but I think it's a vastly overrated, largely provincial, entirely silly little place. I'm rather new here. I just got extremely lazy when thinking of a name, that's all.

Methinks delbomber doth protest too much. Go eat your granola, hippie.

comment #39

delbomber says ...

Lol, connect the dots for me 'cause I'm not seeing 'em...my political bent and the desire to see fewer churlish antics and less static on this board share a common bond how??? I mean, if you had a lick of humor or irony in your writing I'd say keep chugging, but it's so prosaic and sophomoric...blah...

If you paid attention to anything on these boards in the few days since you appeared other than your own witless provocation, your hasty and reactionary retort may have made sense...too bad I'm a conservative...a rational, open-minded conservative, but a conservative nonetheless. Doh!

Keep on truckin if ya like, I don't come to this site or these boards to engage in juvenile flaming, just thought I'd speak my peace and be on my way to more important issues, like HOW MUCH SUPERMAN IS GOING TO ROCK!!! (see, that's irony, try it sometime.)

comment #40

Anonymous says ...

Comic book fans dont seem thrilled with this film's take --

http://www.newsarama.com/movies/Superman/Superman_Review.html

comment #41

Mike says ...

So this guy represents all comic book fans? Interesting.

Hell, I just hope it's better than X3.

comment #42

NYCBusybody says ...

"just thought I'd speak my peace and be on my way to more important issues"

In that context, the word you wanted was piece, not peace.

Peace? I told you you were a hippie.

comment #43

delbomber says ...

ut...the grammar...in the last sentence...my lord! you you??? Yawn.

Maaaaan, get a life, man.

comment #44

outsider says ...

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