Superman Returns (Widescreen Edition)

This was not your typical Superman flick. The critics were not nice in the least so no sequel would be made. Even though the story needed a little work it did keep you watching. Superman and Lois are not an item, he also has a son he knows nothing about and Lois has moved on. So lets skip that stuff. The best parts of this movie were the action scenes. When he saves the police by blocking the bullets it looked awesome, putting out the underground fire in the sewers was great, flying through the Daily Planet to catch it's iconic globe tumbling from the top of the building was well awesome again. But sending the shuttle on it's way to space and rescuing the aircraft liner with Lois on board, that was spectacular. Not the best DC movie but far from the worst.

Huge comic book fan and that's why I purchased it!

In the Summer of 2006, nearly twenty years after Superman last soared across movie screens, the much-delayed, much hyped "Superman Returns" premiered to mostly positive feedback from moviegoers and better-than-average acclaim from film critics. Yet, despite racking up an astronomical total of nearly $400 million dollars worldwide in box office receipts, the movie was still deemed a relative failure, and, as of this date, shockingly enough, a sequel isn't even on the horizon yet. Why, one wonders? The pieces for a successful update of the beloved Superman film franchise were seemingly all there: a relatively solid cast (including Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor); a virtually limitless special effects budget; the classic score by John Williams; and, most importantly, a truly sincere appreciation for Richard Donner's original films starring Christopher Reeve and Gene Hackman from 1978 and 1981. Yet, like some puzzles, this film's pieces simply didn't all fit because they were put in the wrong order. For that very reason, "Superman Returns" could have and should have been better than the finished product.In terms of the storyline, director Bryan Singer and his co-screenwriters lovingly reference the original Donner films repeatedly, including never-before-seen footage of the late Marlon Brando as Jor-El. As much as I enjoyed these generous helpings of nostalgia, the recurring problem is that this film completely lacks the romantic exuberance and playful charm that Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder had previously embued. Instead, good-natured charm is replaced here by some surprisingly dark scenes of violence (inappropriate for young viewers, I might add). Considering that "Superman Returns" clocks in at roughly two and a half hours, the absence of any tongue-in-cheek comic relief is mind-boggling, and, as a result, the film really sags at times. Further, Kevin Spacey's Lex Luthor needs to take an originality pill, as his latest land grab scheme seems nothing more than a more intense reworking of Gene Hackman's original Luthor. Aside from Luthor, a new villain like Brainiac or even Doomsday would have made more sense to avoid criticism that this film borrows too often from the Donner films.Second, while Kevin Spacey is no doubt a perfect choice as Lex Luthor, he isn't able to carry this movie alone. Romantic leads Brandon Routh (as Superman/Clark Kent) and Kate Bosworth (as Lois Lane) aren't able to muster any magical chemistry together despite their best efforts. Routh is passable as the Man of Steel, and, if a sequel is ever made, he deserves another chance to improve upon his performance, which simply lacks the timeless charisma and depth Reeve had brought to the role. As for Bosworth, she is a solid actress, but she is completely miscast here. Singer's miscalculation casting Bosworth isn't nearly as bad as hapless Denise Richards playing a nuclear scientist next to Pierce Brosnan's 007 ten years ago, but it still ranks about the same as Katie Holmes' forgettable performance as an Assistant DA in "Batman Begins," in 2005.However, "Superman Returns" has a strong supporting cast of James Marsden, Frank Langella, Parker Posey, Eva Marie Saint, and Sam Huntington, in addition to cameos from Jack Larson, Noel Neill, and, of course, Marlon Brando. Also, the young actor playing Lois' young son does an excellent job, although his character's presence is rather unsettling when one considers who his father turns out to be (a subtle hint about "Superman II.") Speaking of which, I'll give Bryan Singer credit for coming up with at least one original plot twist, but the romantic love triangle between Routh, Bosworth, and Marsden should have been permanently resolved by the film's end. Instead, the film's conclusion, unfortunately, is rather unsatisfying after well over two hours building up to it.Third and lastly, the film's production design and special effects are, no question, simply awesome (countless millions of dollars will do that). However, Singer, I think, again miscalculated by relying far too much on computer-generated effects (sometimes, they are incredibly obvious), because it feels often like one is watching a video game's graphics. Further, Routh often seems indistinguishable from his CGI counterpart, and I'm afraid that's not a compliment because his expressionless face doesn't convey that it's really him flying. Make no mistake: Christopher Reeve made his flying sequences exhilarating fun because you could actually see his facial expressions clearly enough to make one believe in the fantasy that he really is flying. Routh, in comparison, instead looks more like another special effect.Despite all of the nostalgic joy I felt hearing John Williams' familiar score (not to mention, the ghostly echoes of Marlon Brando's distinctive voice) once more, I think "Superman Returns" ultimately missed a wonderful opportunity to send the Man of Steel soaring into the 21st Century. This movie simply forgot to borrow the one vital element the 1978 Donner film possessed more than anything else: charming, adventurous fun with a classy sense of humor. Nonetheless, despite its flaws, "Superman Returns" is still well worth seeing for the loving homage to Christopher Reeve's memory, and to ours of him as the timeless Man of Steel.Rating: a strong 3/5. (Please think twice before letting pre-teenagers watch this movie).

I love this sequel, even though some people downplay it.Why do I call it a sequel to Reeve's second Superman movie?If you haven't seen Superman II yet, STOP READING, and go watch  Superman: The Movie (1978)  and  Superman II . If you can, watch the extended versions of each one. (The extended version of the first one includes Kirk Alyn and Noel Neill playing little Lois Lane's parents. Kirk and Noel played Superman and Lois Lane in  The 1948 & 1950 Theatrical Superman Serials Collection .)SPOILER ALERTIn  Superman II , Superman voluntarily gave up his powers, temporarily, and while powerless, had sex with Lois Lane. Then after gaining his powers back, he hypnotized Lois into forgetting the entire incident.In  Superman Returns [HD ], Kal-El returns to Earth after spending five years journeying in a rocket to Krypton space and back, looking to see if anyone survived. (The fact that he found an intact piece of Argo City implies we might see a Supergirl Movie someday.)Superman Returns to discover that Lois has a son. During the length of this movie, he learns more and more about little Jason, and obviously realizes that Jason must be his son. He doesn't see, but we do see Jason surprising himself with sudden bursts of superpowers, like pushing the piano over onto the thug that was threatening his mother.Unfortunately,  Superman Returns novel  leaves out the details about Jason's superpowers. I had so hoped to see more about Jason's powers in the book.So, if the matter of Jason's powers didn't make sense to you, be sure to go back and watch the first two movies, which can be purchased as part of several sets, including  The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection (Superman - The Movie / Superman II / Superman III / Superman IV - The Quest for Peace) . I also enjoyed the fact that the producers put details into  Superman Returns [HD ], to honor the memory of Chris Reeve, like letting Superman remind us of scenes from the CR movies. When Superman told the people on the plane that he hoped the experience didn't put them off flying, and how flying was still the safest form of travel (not an exact quote), he was, in my mind, telling Lois, "Yes, I remember the first time we met, it had to do with flying."I hope you enjoyed this movie as much as I did, and I hope you go back and watch the earlier movies. And don't forget Kirk Alyn as  Superman - The 1948 & 1950 Theatrical Serials Collection , George Reeves in the 1950's TV  Adventures of Superman , and the old 1940's Radio Superman, which you can download for free at ARCHIVE.ORG.

Great movie don’t know why it got such bad press I loved it and thought it was a brilliant version of superman.

Not the best superman i ever seen but seriously not the worst and much better than Man of steel.Good movie and good 2-disk edition.

It was OK. Not one of the great films of 2006, and you know that Superman will save the world in the end and also the the villain will live to cause havoc on another day. Good vs. Evil with predictable outcome. 3+1/2 stars = rounded up to 4.But there is one moral issue: Lois's son it seems has super-powers, so his father must be ... but wait, that can't be - that would mean there has been sex before marriage, or Lois is a bigamist (assuming she is married, which she must be, living with Richard, surely). Either way strict moral codes have been broken! Not we expect in a Superstory.I am sure that children will enjoy it, but unlike Batman Begins, this film does not entirely pull it off for adults.On the other hand, it provides a great plot basis for a follow on: how does the Superboy-II grow up and what is his relationship with his true father (in both his guises)? How will the (also heroic - but without Superpowers) Richard figure in the mix? And if Kevin Spacey returns as Lex Luthor but with a bit more space to develop the character, I think there is the basis for a great movie. The casting of Superboy-II could be crucial though.

Superman is a big deal in our house and my little boy loves this film, especially when superman saves the plane from crashing! Brandon is the best thing next to the amazing Christopher Reeves.

I'm really satisfied and meet my expectation of this item. The condition of the disc and its casing is very in good condition. It looks in new condition although the release date was about ten years ago.