My personal thoughts on Superman and his big-screen shortcomings...

My personal thoughts on Superman and his big-screen shortcomings...

Follow the jump to read my personal thoughts on Superman's MAIN problem big-screen wise...and some common misconceptions people have about me...

Editorial Opinion
By LP4 - Jul 10, 2011 11:07 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

OK, I've noticed many people on this site have misunderstood me and my feelings about the Superman films and how boring they were.

I NEVER stated that I wanted a Superman film to be all-action and zero substance. I agree there needs to be some sort of character development in a film. But let's examine some of the more notorious Superman films shall we?

Superman: The Movie



Though good for its time period...it was a very, very BORING film. Yes I get it was an origin film, so it makes sense to focus more on character development and story but I've seen PLENTY of CBMs that are origin films and still the hero fights a villain at SOME point in the film. Looking back at 'Superman: The Movie' Superman didn't fight anyone and never threw a single [frick]ing punch.

The villain? Gene Hackman with his retarded henchman Otis (who literally had the mind of a 2 year old) and some missiles...ok...that is [frick]ing lame. I don't care how old the movie was or classic or whatever. There were still plenty of other villains in Superman comics back then in the 1970's-80's they could have used along with Luthor.



There was NO EXCUSE for this



Donner did however improve when he made "Superman II" by putting in General Zod and some real threats for Superman to face with some actual fighting...though the fights were rather cheesy and weren't impressive at all...at least he tried to put a decent fight in a Superman film. But then 20 years later...we got Superman Returns...



The movie was aimed to be a chick-flick with lots of romance and nostalgia...but see even the romance aspect of it failed. Superman had a kid with Lois then ditched for 5 years, he returned but couldn't get back with her so he stalked her at her home. That's not very romantic at all. Superman using his X-Ray vision to spy on Lois at her home was the kind of thing my friends and I always talked about back in middle school...like- "hey, if I had Superman's powers, I'd use them to spy on girls" that's all it was...Superman Returns was a film that had the mindset and immature viewpoint of a middle-schooler.

And again- NO ACTION NOT A SINGLE PUNCH WAS THROWN.

I get it...I get it...people love the classic Donner stuff. Some people even loved Superman Returns (for reasons I will never understand) but the point I'm trying to make here is that I NEVER said I only wanted ACTION in a Superman film. Since i first joined this site I've only preached that the Superman films never had any action and that is true.

Both Superman: The Movie and Superman Returns are testaments to that. It is one thing to focus on character and story development and another to just be completely IGNORANT of the action-aspects of the subject matter aka- Superman. Superman is a comicbook superhero, he DOES fight in the comics, he DOES fight in the cartoons. He is peaceful. But I heard it one time from a user on this site- "Superman is peaceful but he is not a pushover. He is more of a WARRIOR OF PEACE" and I agree with that completely. It is unfair to the character and to the fans, to continually ignore any and all action-sequences

Like I said. I'm all for character development and story. But there has gotta be a fight in the movie. Whoever said Superman films had to be "Dear John" or "The Notebook" type of films, must have been seriously high. In fact I saw "Dear John" in the theater and I felt it had more and better action than all 5 Superman films combined. That is pathetic.

I found this picture on Google images and it pretty much sums up how I've viewed Superman Returns...



Yep...Routh barely said a single word in the entire film. Spacey was a SHIT villain and Singer pretty much [frick]ed the entire thing.

One person on this site said to me and I quote word for word- "Superman Returns isn't a bad movie, you're just not a Superman fan"

LMAO. That is funny. That shouldn't really be a big surprise to anyone on this site. It's no grand secret that I always had this burning/seething hatred of "Superman Returns"...but in all honesty- I AM a Superman-fan. But see...I'm a fan of the Superman from the COMICS and the cartoons. I guess I can say in all honesty I'm not nor have I ever been a fan of the MOVIE version of Superman. He just always seemed weak to me. Also I don't think me hating "Superman Returns" makes me less of a Superman fan than those who loved it. Fact remains- Superman Returns held NO basis in the comics...it had NO backstory with the comics and Bryan Singer himself admitted he had never even READ a single Superman comic in his life.

I'm a fan of the comicbook Superman and cartoon version. I am NOT a fan of the movie version. The only thing the movie version of Superman showed us is that he knows how to lift heavy objects. He lifted many heavy objects in the Donner films AND "Superman Returns" but see...Superman can do MORE than just lift heavy things and that is something I'm really hoping Snyder will address in his film.

That should clear up a lot of the confusion people on this site seemed to have regarding my real stance on Superman. And why I really always hated the movie version. It is weak. Hopefully Zack Snyder can actually deliver. Because I am pretty sure that if the new movie tanks, Superman won't be getting another shot at the big screen.



I know I'm going to get loads of shit for this editorial by the Donner-heads and few Singer-heads on this site but I figure...[frick] it. It's MY editorial and I'll say whatever I damn well please regarding how I feel about Superman, how the films SHOULD have been and just how great they COULD be if done correctly.

Bring on the Superman reboot. Let's see Superman actually kicking some serious tail for once...





Superman's been bored for quite some time on the big screen...

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Unveils Official Look At Mural Depicting The History Of Metahumans In The DCU
Related:

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Unveils Official Look At Mural Depicting The History Of Metahumans In The DCU

MAN OF STEEL Writer David S. Goyer Shares His Candid Thoughts On James Gunn's SUPERMAN Movie
Recommended For You:

MAN OF STEEL Writer David S. Goyer Shares His Candid Thoughts On James Gunn's SUPERMAN Movie

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2
crimsoncrusader
crimsoncrusader - 7/11/2011, 12:09 AM
Snyder and Cavill have to deliver. There is no doubt about it! Only about a month away from production, and I seriously:
crimsoncrusader
crimsoncrusader - 7/11/2011, 12:12 AM
Hopefully, the new Superman theme will be just as epic as the original!

incrediblesuperbatspider
incrediblesuperbatspider - 7/11/2011, 12:15 AM
Why in the world is Batman dressed up as Santa Claus? and why is superman punching him?
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 12:44 AM
@DROMEO- Not sure man...my best guess...he got tired of being so [frick]ing boring and finally let loose on Batman with all of his pent-up rage.

As for why Batman was dressed as Santa Clause, I have no idea. LOL

@crimsoncrusador- I appreciate your enthusiasm for this film, it's gonna seriously OWN...it HAS to otherwise- bye bye Superman for good.
Caedus137
Caedus137 - 7/11/2011, 2:09 AM
Now there's a man who speaks his mind... In all honesty, I kind of agree with most of your points. The Reeve / Donner movies ARE bad. Long, boring, camp, dodgy effects, shocking over-acting... Just plain bad. I do, however, quite like Superman Returns...I know, I know... It's not perfect by a long shot, and admittedly it wasnt the big comeback we all wanted, but I enjoyed it all the same. A for the Man Of Steel, you're absolutely right - it HAS to succeed or its curtains... If it flops, or if people dont buy into Cavill as Clark / Supes, it will almost certainly be Kal-El's last big screen outing for a very, very long time...
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 2:42 AM
@Caedus- Ok cool...it's awesome you're on board with how i feel about the Donner films. I absolutely hated Superman Returns though...too long and boring. Pretty much...none of the Superman films have been what comicbook fans deserved. Superman deserves better and hopefully the team-up of Nolan/Snyder can fix the mess Superman is in. And yeah dude...agreed...this film is his final shot. I know this because a few months before the "Man of Steel" reboot was first announced, DC Entertainment officially stated that they had no plans to return Superman to the big screen. The reboot just happened by chance thanks to Nolan and Goyer.

I just want to see Superman get into a really big, explosive fight. I want to see him go all out with his powers and to really struggle and fight for his life. That's what fans have wanted and we never got that type of film for Superman.


Caedus137
Caedus137 - 7/11/2011, 2:53 AM
LP4 - Exactly... I find it increasingly difficult to convince people that Superman is as awesome as I keep saying he is, because all the general public / man-in-the-street has to go on is the existing movies. They've never read the comics, watched the animated features, explored the mythology, never read "Last Days of Krypton" etc... It is frustrating that at a point in time when comic / movie adaptations are at an all time high, we are still waiting for the definitive Superman movie which will banish the memory of Gene Hackman and Christopher Reeve being held up by very visible strings... Fair enough, we dont agree on "Returns", but thats cool, but I think everyone has their fingers, toes, and whatever else crossed that M.O.S blows us away and gives us the Kal-El we feel we're owed...
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 3:01 AM
@Caedus- Eh it doesn't really phase me that we diverge on the subject of "Superman Returns" because at least we agree on the bigger stuff-

1) The donner films weren't nearly as great as people make them out to be

2) Superman movies have been weak-sauce up to this point

and most of all...

3) This is Superman's LAST chance at a film and if it gets fu*ked...bye, bye Supes.
Hellsing
Hellsing - 7/11/2011, 3:12 AM
Wow you think the man who directed Lethal Weapon wouldn't do any action if he was given the chance, thats just an idiotic way of thinking by the way not a Donner head or what ever the term that you used your not going to get Avatar style visuals in the 70's how about you use you know common sense a bit more and sure its Campy now in the 70's it wasn't. and Please don't say Superman Returns focused on character development unless you think Superman being a stalker is Character development. Thats the movie that no excuse for not showing big ass fights, frankly its a shit movie. I dig character development and story if its good and Superman Returns wasn't. I agree needs to have more action but it seems like your hate for Donner seems to cloud your mind at times.
Caedus137
Caedus137 - 7/11/2011, 3:33 AM
Hellsing - Not at all. In fact I believe the opposite is true. People's love for the Donner films sometimes means they don't / won't acknowledge the obvious flaws. It's classic rose-tinted glasses, childhood nostalgia stuff. Yes, the effects were good for the time, yes the tone was right for the time, but we're not IN that time any more... Also, I dont think anybody ever actually said Superman Returns was a deep character-driven piece. We can agree to disagree on Returns, just as we can agree to disagree on Donner.
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 4:08 AM
@Hellsing- I never stated that i expected "Avatar style visuals" because yeah i get it was the 70's-80's time era. What you're doing here is you're putting words in my mouth. And READ my editorial again, all I said was I wished Donner had allowed Superman to at least THROW A [frick]ING PUNCH. I never said anything about wishing he'd made the film all "Avatar" style.

You need to actually READ what I wrote before you type out a comment. Because you made yourself look like an idiot, no offense. Also there were plenty of films back in the 70's and 80's that had at least ONE fight scene. I'm not saying it needed to be an action-orgasm like Sucker Punch. But rewatch "Superman: The Movie" and you will see there was not ONE fight scene in that film. Not ONCE did Superman throw a punch. All I asked for was ONE [frick]ING PUNCH. Is that really asking too much of a comicbook superhero film?

And yeah you do sound like a Donner-head. And what do you mean "if he was given the chance" WTF?? DONNER HAD THE CHANCE TO PUT ACTION IN THE FIRST SUPERMAN MOVIE BUT CHOSE NOT TO. I also remembered reading once that Ned Beatty initially wanted to be a serious bad guy in the 1st Superman film but Donner wanted him to be a comedic, MORON instead and thus resulting in the creation of- OTIS. How do you explain that huh? Was it REALLY that necessary to have Otis in the films???!

Donner was the goddamn director, so yeah he had control over the action-beats and characterizations in the film. So why don't you...you know...use YOUR common sense.
Also "Caedus" is right, no one ever stated that "Superman Returns" was deeply character-driven. You're just making shit up.

Superman's been looked upon as a "boring character" for a very long time and the movies haven't done anything to change that stereotype.

90% of people here on CBM love and respect the Donner Superman films. I happen to be one of the few rare ones on here who doesn't kiss the feet of Donner. Oh well.
Caedus137
Caedus137 - 7/11/2011, 5:31 AM
LP4 - Firstly = Star Wars Episode 4, 1977. Alien, 1979. Jaws '75, Exorcist '73... etc etc... These are just a few 30 year old films that have held their own through the years without looking overly dated or out of touch. The Donner Superman films simply dont fit this trend. To this day, the original "Alien" is still one of the best films of its genre by a mile.
Secondly - and unfortunately - people will always come on here, snipe, hate and throw terrible grammar at you because they find it virtually impossible to express themselves like adults and participate in a civilised, constructive discussion.
sonofsamadams
sonofsamadams - 7/11/2011, 5:48 AM
@LP4
Great editorial dude. I agree. Supes needs more action than love. Save the world, get the pussy later
Coldblood6
Coldblood6 - 7/11/2011, 6:07 AM
The guy is right.

Superman NEEDS some spectacular fighting action.

However, I wonder if ZS is the right man for the action in a Superman movie. If you look at 300, Watchmen, and Sucker Punch, he looks like he could do the kind of action for Batman, and thus portray Batman as the spectacular fighter that he is (not the stiff, lame, borefest character he is in Nolan's films). Superman is more of a powerhouse brawler (Supes fans can tell me if I' right or wrong)

But let's keep our fingers crossed. I may despise ZS for his comments related to MARVEL movie properties, especially THOR, but he has not let me down yet.
I even liked Sucker Punch.
Caedus137
Caedus137 - 7/11/2011, 6:58 AM
jimyjam1991 - "He's only human..." Hahaha!!! No, no he isn't...
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 7/11/2011, 7:19 AM
@ LP4

I'm not trying to sound like a dick or sarcastic, this is a serious questions, but how old are you?

when SUperman 2 came out, that fight with Zod was great. By today's standards, sure, its really lame. but back then, you have to remember the state that comics were in. They were cheesy as hell. I know the scene where superman threw that giant "S" and wrapped up Zod was stupid and didn't make sense, but in all fairness, in the comics Superman was given all kinds of weird, nonsensical powers at points.

In one instance, he used mind control. In another instance, he split himself into two people to handle a threat. Back then, they just seemed to give Superman any power that fit the situation.

anyway, i agree with most of the article, just not the fight with Zod and his lackeys. Again, back then, that wasn't that bad at all. :)
Caedus137
Caedus137 - 7/11/2011, 7:36 AM
CorndogBurglar - Superman definitely needs a fixed, core-list of abilities, namely the ones relating to flight, speed, strength, and the vision / breath ones... I'd forgotten about "Throwing the S"... Haha... Also, his "repair a ships hull with his eyes" ability, not to mention time travel and memory-wiping kisses... God... they were terrible...
naterator
naterator - 7/11/2011, 10:55 AM
@GDSUPERGUY...I agree with you. The old films are NOW outdated....but at the time they surpassed every comic-book geeks expectations by the standards at the time. And SR was a very decent film. In my opinion your all right...it wasn't the film that we all hoped for but it did serve as a good RETURNS film. A good sequel would have been welcomed because it had the potential for one.
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 11:11 AM
@GDSUPERGUY- Dude what happened to you? Green Lantern and Thor were much better films than SR. At least they got Thor's character right as with GL's character right in their films. AT LEAST they fought.

In Superman-Returns what we got was a [frick]ing stalker, bastard father, a main hero who had barely any screen-presence at all and most of all- HE NEVER THREW A PUNCH. At least in Green Lantern the hero fought, as with Thor. AT LEAST their characterizations were done properly.

SR was NOT the film fans had waited for and it didn't appease the Superman-fanbase the way the Thor film did for Thor fans.

At least in Thor and GL we got some decent villains. All we got in RETURNS was Kevin Spacey and [frick]ing Kumar. So I still don't see how the [frick] SR was better Than GL or just as good as Thor.

And the reason why I'm living in the past of the crappy old films is because that's all we've ever been spoon-fed in terms of live-action films and it's pathetic.

And I've read plenty of silver-age comics- Superman had crazy power levels. But that's not the problem I'm talking about. I'm just wondering how you could possibly say Superman Returns was a better film than Green Lantern and just as good as Thor.

I remember you used to be on board with me in terms or Routh's acting completely sucking and you agree SR was an awful film. I read one article you DEFENDED Routh and are now defending SR as being better than Thor and GL???? Those films were WAY better than SR. I don't know what's with the sudden change but I'm telling you most would agree on here that Thor and GL were far better films than SR.

@naterator- Yeah no the film was NOT decent thus why WB rebooted it and recasted everyone. ROUTH CAN'T [frick]ING ACT. AND SINGER DOESN'T KNOW SHIT ABOUT SUPERMAN.
hatrick3
hatrick3 - 7/11/2011, 12:46 PM
Well said! To date we do not have a good Superman movie. It's past time we're treated to the full power, depth and potential of the greatest superhero. Keep speaking your mind LP4. FTW!

Hoping that Snyder and Nolan will come through. Hell we didn't really have a great Batman movie until Begins.
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 12:54 PM
@Corndogburgler- I'm 24 years old. I do get that back then the fight between Superman and Zod was good. But I'm saying by today's standards, the fight was cheesy.

That's what this editorial is about, the cheesiness of that fight by today's standards plus the lack of action in nearly every other Superman film. But don't worry, I should have clarified from what stance i was speaking in terms of the time periods.

@hatrick3- Thanks dude. Glad you liked the editorial!!
blackcelebration
blackcelebration - 7/11/2011, 2:45 PM
I'm really concerned by some people's preference of action (aka Superman punching something) to character development, or making Supe's punching something as the films main priority.

Also, I strongly disagree that Superman I & II lack action.

What makes Superman the Movie a classic isn't the effects or even the action, but the characters and the story. Son becomes the father, the father becomes the son.

Also, the reason why the film is considered a classic, isn't just because it's like by die hard comic fans but general movie audiences. You don't need to be a Superman buff to appreciate the movie.

Actually, the only comic book movies that come close are Spiderman II, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and arguably Iron Man.

I've mentioned Iron Man because although strangely I'm not the biggest fan of the film I do appreciate it and the universe it created, maybe I couldn't relate to Tony Stark or Iron Man but I understood the character, and cared enough in the big battle scenes. Therefore, although I'm not a big fan of the character, I could understand why other people would be. The same is for Superman the Movie. You don't need to be a comic buff to watch it. What Superman is, is all there.

This is an advantage that only a handful of comic movies have.

If The Man of Steel can have the same impact as Superman The Movie, then it will be a huge progress not only for Superman but for comic book movies in general.

P.S. I also wanna see awesome action, but not before I care about the characters.

I also understand the articles wish to also have character development, but if we don't have Superman punching something but a film with a cool story, with memorable and original characters (I can care about or at least understand) mixed with awesome action, then I'd be more than satisfied. And let's be honest, Superman hasn't delivered movie wise since 1981.

Maybe Man of Steel can be the Star Trek:TNG of Superman films.

Fingers crossed.

eatmyhit
eatmyhit - 7/11/2011, 3:28 PM
Superman Returns was probably the least favourite CBM i have watched and i have seen Greenlantern. And like you @LP4 i'm not the biggest Donner fan i thought aspects of the films were good but (probably going to get murdered for this) Found christopher Reeves superman a little arrogant and quite pompous at times.

I am not envious of the task a head for Snyder one little bit the pressure to deliver is greater than on any other CBM but his a good director so i have my fingers crossed he will give us the Superman that the big screen deserves.
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 4:48 PM
@eatmyhit- Agreed my friend! Chris Reeve was a VERY arrogant and pompous Superman. Acting like he was [frick]ing unbeatable.

I only wished Nuclearman had finished him off for good in SupermanIV =(

@blackcelebration- Dude did you read my editorial are you just plain DENSE? I stated clearly above that I feel character-development is IMPORTANT for a Superman film but to date- there has NOT been an action-based Superman film and since Superman has already had 5 films of pure character-development, I feel now is the time for him to finally cut loose.
DCwanabe
DCwanabe - 7/11/2011, 5:16 PM
awesome editorial, I completely agree that the donner movies need to be forgotten. They do not entertain today as they did back then. I feel they are not as timeless as people make them out to be.

This movie needs to be grittier it needs to appeal to an audience that wants to see, and is used to seeing dark and gritty situations, then bring in supes, the greatest hero, as he should be and blow us all away.

I want to see action, real danger, and a struggle.

@LP4 also what is your opinion on a love interest in MOS, I am getting tired of the same old routine with every CBM having a predictable love interest (except Dark Knight, awesome!!!!). Should they leave lois as just a co-worker/friend, this time around?
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 6:00 PM
@DCwanabe- Hahaha thanks for the feedback my friend. As for a love-interest...Lois i agree is getting a bit too stereotypical.

Lana would be a refreshing change and we've never really seen Lana in the limelight very much.

That or they could go the "Batman Begins" route and create one!

Either route would be refreshing. =)
DCwanabe
DCwanabe - 7/11/2011, 6:52 PM
Yeah that would be good show the beginnings of a relationship, but definitely do not make it the focus of the movie. I think the focus should be the villain and the struggle. I think Zod could be potentially great if they show a Zod that directly ended krypton and Supes Dad and Mom. Then they could show a superman struggling to defeat Zod out of love for humanity and not anger at his own loss. Or something, I might be just babbling.
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 8:33 PM
@DCwanabe- No i totally agree with you on that. If only SR had done that back in 2006 then maybe we would have gotten a sequel instead of a 2nd reboot. lol
BBally
BBally - 7/11/2011, 9:11 PM
To be honest, I don't think Superman 1 and 2 are boring overall, true they have their moments that make you wish they move forward, but overall I still found them to be enjoyable experiences and generally "good" movies. Maybe people like me might still like it because of nostalgia however there are also modern movie goers who were able to enjoy the film as well without the nostalgia glasses. Christopher Reeves is the best Superman, every time I see him in the suit, I get that Superman vibe I used to get when I read the comics. And God, the Superman theme is the greatest superhero theme ever.

I could care less about Richard Donner's name (in fact I haven't watched the notorious Donner's Cut of Superman II yet). All praises being said, I still have my gripes with the films of course, Gene Hackman wasn't a really good Lex Luthor, in fact I prefer Michael Rosenbaum or the actor who played Lex in Lois and Clark over Hackman. I prefer a less clumsy Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent over what the movie gave us. But they didn't hurt the movie that much but then you got that damn "turn back time by spinning the Earth around" moment, one of the reasons I have issues with that ending is because it leads to people going out saying "Superman is too Godly" or "He doesn't face loss like other heroes because when he does, he could just turn back time" and those same people just don't want to get it to their heads that Superman at no point whatsoever has that ability in the comics or any other medium besides the first movie.

However, I still think it was an overall good movie.

I don't like Superman Returns, in fact I would rather watch Superman 3 and 4 over Returns any day.

I'm also one of those fans who want the franchise to move on and stop relaying too much on the Donnerverse for "inspiration" (I'm looking at you, Singer.)
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 9:29 PM
@BBally- Dude WHAT THE FU*K??? ARE YOU ME?? lol seriously dude everything you said i agree with 110%!!! ^_^

I agree there is nostalgia in those old films and yeah, I also would rather watch Supes 3 & 4 over "Returns" any day of the week! And yeah John Shea was the guy who played Lex in the Lois and Clark series, i LOVED his Lex- suave, rich and smart. I hated Hackman's lex. Rosenbaum was pretty good too!

Christopher Reeve's clumsy/bumbling Clark was painful on the eyes to watch, hopefully in the new film, Clark will be more confident and cool.

Great read "BBally"! I agree with you bro on every single point you made!
BBally
BBally - 7/11/2011, 9:50 PM
LP4 said: "Dude WHAT THE FU*K??? ARE YOU ME??"

Well, except for the part when I said that there are ton of modern movie goers who could still consider these films good movies without the nostalgia glasses. *wink*
LP4
LP4 - 7/11/2011, 10:04 PM
@BBally- Hahaha true. But for the most part, you pretty much phrased everything i'm feeling inside. Just the donner stuff i get tired of. Hopefully Snyder won't adhere to the Donner universe at all.
blackcelebration
blackcelebration - 7/12/2011, 3:41 AM
@ LP4.

Sorry but all the Superman films have action, it's just some have more sucky action than the others.

I think Mr Plunket describes best what I think about the situation.



Or to re-illiterate.

SYNDER- I think people want a more physical Superman, who punches the villains.

(I know Synder never actually said that)


AUDIENCE- Wrong, wrong, wrong asshole.
What we want is a good story, good dialogue, and the characters we knew and loved in the comics.
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 7/12/2011, 8:08 AM
@LP4....Great article, man. You must have talked to just about every Superman fan I know, because you seem to have summed up our attitudes about Superman in the movies quite succinctly. Also, I agree with you 100% that there was never any excuse for OTIS!!! Doofus Clark and Otis are the two worst things about Superman: The Movie, if I had to pick out the two worst things (and there is a lot to choose from).

@blackcelebration.....I'm not sure what your definition of action is but it probably isn't the same as everyone else's. At least not mine.

When a movie franchise has run its course, and the story can no longer be told effectively then it is time to either retire the franchise or reboot it for a new generation. Unfortunately, some reboots tend to destroy the original concept almost completely and stray way too far from the source material (i.e. Three Musketeers, Star Trek, etc.).
Knight
Knight - 7/12/2011, 8:35 AM
Good points. *Nods*

Unfortunately, I don't think Synder can deliver because all signs point to the upcoming Superman film being an "origins" film when we do NOT need a freakin' origins movie! Everyone knows Superman's origin by heart and we just don't need to see it again. Why? Aside from 3 changing of origins in the comics in the last decade alone, an origins movie is going to take up half the movie of stuff most of us have seen already in some form or another. That means Superman won't be throwing any punches until the second half. And frankly, I don't Superman fighting Zod for a full hour. We'll likely only get 5-10 minutes only. An origins film will focus WAY too much on what we fans already know! We don't need that.

So, if I am right (and I believe I am) half of this movie (perhaps a little over half) will be a borefest before it finally gets to the interesting part. Even then, I highly doubt the second half of the movie will contain enough action to keep everyone's interest on a villian we have all seen already.
6of13
6of13 - 7/12/2011, 9:25 AM
I agree with most of what you say LP4.

This film is more than likely going to have an origin part. If I was going to bet on that I would say that the origin part will feature alot of Krypton - way more Krypton than in the Donner films.

I have this notion that there will be another villain (in addition to Zod) in this movie. It could be Brainiac - so I would imagine there would be plenty of ACTION and DRAMA as Brainiac takes Krytpon's knowledge before destroying the planet. I think if Brainiac is involved, then Christopher Meloni could be playing Jax-Ur (who actually helps Brainiac - in the movie).

Alternatively, Meloni could be playing John Corben/Metallo. I know it was said that he would play a general but how many generals are going to be used for this movie? IF he played Metallo, then it would explain the extreme amount of military presence in this movie. For example: The military use Metallo as a weapon against any alien presence (Superman, Zod). At some point Metallo turns on the military and the military have to battle Metallo.

Also, I had the thought that Zod would mentor the young Superman. If Zod teaches Supes military martial arts and fighting, than I imagine that there would be lots of action during their training sessions. In other words, there can be action without Superman actually having to go up against a villain in a real fight.

Also, there has to be an origin because it explains Zod's presence, and what drives the characters.

LP4
LP4 - 7/12/2011, 3:06 PM
@Knightstalker- Thanks buddy! btw- I regret that smallville editorial i wrote before...i tried to look at the positives but...yeah you're right [frick]ing welling sucks.

@Knight and 6of13- Thanks guys!!! And 6of13- I look forward to more of your theories on the reboot. They are quite interesting and I'm sure/at least HOPING they end up being dead-on cause i like your ideas.
1 2
View Recorder