1987, “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” was critically panned. As a result, a fifth installment was scrapped. Leaving no chance for Christopher Reeve to reprise his role as the Man of Steel. What’s sad is he fell from a horse. Causing him to become paralyzed. With no other choice, Warner Bros decided to make a movie titled, “Superman Lives,” with zero connection to Richard Donner’s version. This time, they hired Tim Burton to direct, Kevin Smith to write the script, Jon Peters as a producer and Nicolas Cage as the Man of Steel. It’s a long story, there’s a documentary on the abounded film. I highly recommend the documentary film, “The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened?” Don’t forget to look up “An Evening with Kevin Smith.” Silent Bob reflects on his experience. Bringing up Jon Peters’ surreal ideas like Brainiac fighting a polar bear and a robotic giant spider. WB cancelled Superman Lives eliminating its release date in Summer 1997. “Batman and Robin” & “Steel” were stinkers.
A few years later, WB released separate DC Comics based content from 2001-2005
- Static Shock – An animated series centering on a black teenager named, Virgil Hawkins who gain electric powers and uses them to fight crime.
- Smallville – A teen drama focusing on Clark Kent growing up as he deals with his powers and typical teenage dilemma.
- Justice League – An animated series in the DC Animated Universe. Batman & Superman join forces with Wonder Woman, John Stewart/Green Lantern, Wally West/The Flash, Hawkgirl & Martian Manhunter protecting Earth from greater threats.
- Teen Titans – An animated series not tied to the DC Animated Universe. Robin a team of four young superheroes Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy and my childhood crush, Raven. Together, they square off against villains and face personal issues.
- Batman Begins – Christopher Nolan’s reboot that resurrected Batman. The first film of “The Dark Knight Trilogy.”
- V for Vendetta – A film adaptation of Alan Moore’s graphic novel.
Inspired by the critical and commercial success of Batman Begins, WB green-lit a follow up to “Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut,” discarding “Superman III” & “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.” Brandon Routh takes over the late Christopher Reeve’s role in “Superman Returns.” Released in 2006, (same year The Prestige came out) it received positive reviews from critics, fans and movie goers alike. However, the film failed to bounce back its marketing budget. Labeled as a box office flop, a sequel was cancelled damaging Brandon Routh’s career appearing in small roles. However, he played Atom and reprised his role as Superman in the Arrowverse.
In 2013, “Man of Steel” starring Henry Cavill launched the DC Extended Universe or DCEU for short. After his cameo in “Black Adam,” WB kicked out Mr. Cavill in favor of rebooting the entire DCEU. Now that James Gunn’s shepherding the upcoming DC Universe, he’ll direct “Superman: Legacy.” The first film of the rebooted series featuring a younger actor as the character. It’ll be released on July 11, 2025. Before Superman: Legacy comes out, I wanna share my thoughts on Superman Returns.
This review contains crucial SPOILERS.
Heroic & Cowardly Qualities
Heroic: Brandon Routh did a great job for his performance as the titular character. He bears a striking resemblance to Christopher Reeve.
Other Cast Members such as Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Parker Posey, Kal Penn, Frank Langella & Kevin Spacey (a POS weirdo) all did a solid job for their respective performances.
Even though Marlon Brando died, his estate allowed WB to bring him back as Jor-El via footage from first movie. This wasn’t his last work, he lend his voice and likeness for EA’s “The Godfather” video game.
John Ottoman (X2: X-Men United, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Visual Effects are vastly upgraded. The last two movies had limitations.
Opening Credits pays homage to the first movie’s credits as well as John Williams’ theme. Speaking of which, the iconic theme is used in certain scenes.
Superman lifting a car is a recreation of his first appearance Action Comics.
Cowardly: Although Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace are discarded, Bryan Singer (back when he was a respected director) didn’t give us a bigger and better threequel.
Nobody mentioned Lex’s sidekicks Miss Tessmacher & Otis’ absence. They’re replaced by Kitty & Stanford.
Bryan’s collaborators Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris wasted a golden opportunity to write an intergalactic adventure with Supes squaring off against a villain beyond his power level like Brainiac or Darkseid. Both baddies are stronger than General Zod.
Action Sequences (except for the plane and bullet to the eye scene) are nothing new.
Superman’s heat vision doesn’t look authentic.
There’s a lot of Pacing issues lacking sustainable action bigger than the last two movies.
At the time, Brandon & Kate look too young portraying Supes & Lois. They look like college students. This movie’s supposed to take place five years after “Superman II.” Wouldn’t it make sense if they casted two older people in their late ’30s or early ’40s? I have nothing against Brandon & Kate, they’re both talented.
Lex’s grandmaster plan to make his own land, is the exact same scheme from the first movie, but bigger. It would’ve been amazing if Lex build an armored suit equipped with Kryptonite arsenal duking it out with Supes. Like a “Dragon Ball Z” battle between hero and villain. No island made of Kryptonite.
Superman’s climatic moment is lifting Lex’s island, tosses it in space. Oh, jeez. How can this get any lamer than the tornado as the final boss in the video game based on Superman Returns? The Climatic Battle could’ve been told with these options.
- Again, Have a fair fight with Superman duking it out Lex wearing his armor in the comics.
- Besides Lex, Metallo forms a partnership with Lex. Together, they combat Supes.
- Taking place a few months after Superman II: The Richard Donner cut, Zod and his crew are rescued by Darkseid. Zod seeks revenge towards Superman by recruits powerful aliens. Five Years Later, his army’s massive.
Jason’s revealed as the son of Superman. We have to talk about the controversy surrounding Superman as a deadbeat dad. The Man of Tomorrow made a horrible excuse to leave Earth searching for any surviving Kryptonians. He lied to Lois and the people of Metropolis. Refusing to start a family with his love interest. I find it completely outta character. Superman would never neglect Lois. This makes Goku a much better father to Gohan. The big twist surrounding Jason, is not on the same level as “The Prestige.”
Superman stalks Lois at her house using x-ray vision. He would never do something horrible.
The Final Verdict: C-
Superman Returns is the biggest disappointment of 2006. At least Man of Steel was slightly better despite labeled as the biggest letdown of 2013. If you’re prepping up The Flash or crossing your fingers if James Gunn will do a good job in Superman: Legacy, watch every Superman movie as a way to relive good memories and make fun of its flaws.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 