EDITORIAL: Supes and Robin-a look back at two underrated movie performances

EDITORIAL: Supes and Robin-a look back at two underrated movie performances

This is my take on Brandon Routh's Superman and Chris O'donnel's Robin. Yet again, another article open for discussion.

Editorial Opinion
By sonofsamadams - Jun 23, 2011 08:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman Returns

Superman Returns



The Fourth installment into the Man of Steel's franchise hit theatres in the summer of '06. Becoming a huge hit and soaring to a 200 million domestic gross, Superman Returns received good reviews from critics but a bad impact from its fanbase. Yes if you were to search this movie in Yahoo movies' database, you would see an average grade of a 'B' listed from the audience. But if you look closer, you can see the hundreds of reviews filled with hate and regret. Returns is seen as a disgrace and forgettable.

But I ask why?


I actually really enjoyed Superman Returns. I thought Brandon Routh did an excellent job as the Man of Steel. Grant it his voice wasn't as commanding as Christopher Reeve was, but he acted out the role well and had the look and feel of Superman. Kevin Spacey did a wayyyy better job than Gene Hackman. Spacey really showed Luthor's dark side. However...Kate Bosworth was no Lois Lane. She may be a good actress, but shes still no Lois. The movie is indeed longer than it needs to be and a little more action should've been thrown in there. I think the reason why fans of Superman hate Returns so much is their remorse for Reeve. Routh captured a lot of what Reeve brought to the big screen years ago.


Robin


Yes Batman Forever sucked and Batman and Robin was a horrid travesty. Joel Schumacher should have left Batman into the hands of more interested and BETTER MEN. The soundtrack for both movies is pretty good however, but what really saved both movies was Chris O'donnel's portrayal of The Dark Knight detective's side-kick, Robin. While Forever's Kilmer and B&R's Clooney proved to be weak protagonists, they were very fortunate to have a strong supporting actor in O'donnel.



Despite the nipples on his batsuit and Schumacher's close up on the kids rear end while he was dressing up as robin in the beginning of B&R, O'donnel did a very good job. No one really gives him enough credit for his role; most people are too busy bashing the many other elements that made the Schumacher movies fail. It makes me crack up every time when I hear him say in Forever, 'Holy rusted metal, Batman!' Cheesy line? Or a Tribute to the 1960's TV series? I hate B&R, but I didn't really mind the hockey fight scene in the beginning. It was campy and had a good score by Elliot Goldenthal. Apart from that, NADA. Oh, except for Alicia Silverstone's uh...hot Batgirl


But hey, its my opinion.

Thoughts?
Comments?
Let me know.


SUPERMAN RETURNS Sequel Series Starring Brandon Routh Has Been Discussed
Related:

SUPERMAN RETURNS Sequel Series Starring Brandon Routh Has Been Discussed
SUPERMAN RETURNS Star Kevin Spacey Books First Comic-Con Appearance After Being Cleared Of Assault Charges
Recommended For You:

SUPERMAN RETURNS Star Kevin Spacey Books First Comic-Con Appearance After Being Cleared Of Assault Charges

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.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?
Want to contribute?
BlueMex
BlueMex - 6/23/2011, 8:59 AM
Good editorial, I thought he did good as Superman ,and Robin was also good in BTMN:FOREVER didnt really like him in B&R, did the movies suck? Yes. Agree!
But i Hated Batgirl in B&R
Ethic
Ethic - 6/23/2011, 9:02 AM
"Routh captured a lot of what Reeve brought to the big screen years ago."

I think that's the first time I've heard something like that.
Reeve was instrumental in reigniting respect for Superheroes, he inspired generations of fans (new and old) and made Superman into an Icon again.

Routh did what..?
He happened to look like a guy who changed CBM history?
I've a feeling you were swayed by the physical connections because I really don't see how anyone could think he captured what Reeve did.
He had a handful of dialogue, stood around looking moderately super (which didn't take skill, it was his natural appearance) and was replaced with a CGI image repeatedly.
Remember, just because he REMINDS you of an inspiring person, doesn't make him inspiring.

Not to be overly dramatic, but in my opinion, a comment like that downplays the significance of Christopher in Superman and CBM history.
AreTudaEDub
AreTudaEDub - 6/23/2011, 9:05 AM
Ok...the neo colors for batman forever may have been over the top and a bit "Pop" but it, to me, was actually a good film. The acting was great, the action was GREAT, the story was clear and worked really well. Hey and it sold a lot of toys, that helped make the late 90's my fondness childhood memories.

For the most part, everyone seems to say that they hate the Schumacher films because of "bat-nipples" and camp. Which I do agree for Batman and Robin, but Batman Forever was pretty solid.

As for Superman Returns, my friends and I always talk about how underrated that movie is. It kind of showed the world the difference between superman and the rest of the superheros. That he was virtually incorruptable and the biggest [frick]ing boy scout. Though I felt like a sequel would have really did something extraordinary for the character. But I do admit Bryan Singer's comicbook films always leave me feeling a bit dissappointed. Hopefully this new take on the MOS fills all the voids that were in Returns.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/23/2011, 9:22 AM
lol
Hellsing
Hellsing - 6/23/2011, 9:43 AM
lol Superman Returns made superman look the worlds greatest stalker not the worlds greatest super hero so no superman returns isn't under rated and neither is Rouths performance the dude tried imitating Reeve and he failed badly.
AreTudaEDub
AreTudaEDub - 6/23/2011, 9:54 AM
@Hellsing WOW!!!! You act like she didn't want him coming for her. She wanted him to care about her and he did so he followed up on the [frick]ing girl! lol. Plus she had that man's seed.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/23/2011, 11:18 AM
@ ARETudaedub

um, Lois might have wanted Supes to care about her, but there's a fine line between caring about someone, and sitting out in their lawn and spying on their whole family without them knowing, lol. hahahahaha.
Hellsing
Hellsing - 6/23/2011, 11:35 AM
@ ARETudaedub what CorndogBurglar
Hellsing
Hellsing - 6/23/2011, 11:37 AM
Hopefully the reboot can make superman movies great again.
m1312020
m1312020 - 6/23/2011, 9:01 PM
Chris O'donnel was to old for the role of Robin.Should of been near 15 so it would have made sense for Bruce to take him in as his ward.
ar8898
ar8898 - 6/24/2011, 1:29 PM
Audiences didn't like Superman Returns simply because it was a lame story and had no action. I have read fan fiction stories that would have been a hell of alot better than Superman Returns. Routh played the part well enough but when you have a crappy script, you will be getting a crappy movie.

I thought Batman Forever was an okay movie. Val Kilmer did a good job as a broody, depressed Batman. The only problems with this movie were the neon lights everywhere. This movie along with Batman and Robin featured more neon lighting than a ecstasy/rave party.

Batman and Robin must go down in history as not only one of the worst comic book movies ever, but as ONE OF THE WORST FILMS EVER!!!!! This movie was a disgrace to everything I love about Batman and movies in general.
ironknight
ironknight - 6/24/2011, 7:16 PM
I actually kind of liked Batman Forever. Batman and Robin was OK as long as you are expecting something silly and not something serious when you watch it.

And by the way, Robins costume was a huge improvement (at the time. Without the nipples, its still pretty good.
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 6/24/2011, 8:41 PM
Robin just doesn't work on screen. Leave him in the comic books where he belongs. There is a very good reason why Schumacher killed his career with B&R, having seen the writing on the wall with Batman Forever. It's his own fault.
sbdc1939
sbdc1939 - 6/25/2011, 10:18 PM
superman was great dont care who disagrees. Bosworth sucked. i would rather see routh than cavill. while i have nothing against zack snyder i love that returns kept it like christopher reeve was still doing it.
Robin is an awesome character in comics but not in the hands of joel "shoemaker" but i dont think o donnel captured robin at all.
Batgirl was a waste of a character.... why was she alfreds neice>?? i mean i get it story wise but it still was not a helpful change
Mushrat79
Mushrat79 - 6/27/2011, 12:52 AM
let me being by saying this... Supes is the man, I've always been a fan and yes, I love the movies. Now with that being said, there IS one problem that I've had with all Superman movies, and it's the reason I believe they've not been to par... Lex Luthor. Lex is not the bumbling idiot that is constantly referenced to in the Christopher Reeve movies. He IS an intellectual genius, not the comic relief. He is ruthless, and above all SMART. Kevin Spacey was a little better than Hackman, but once again, they did NOT get Lex right!!! The only adaptation that has gotten it right is Smallville. He is ruthless, smart, and connected. Not talking widows out of fortunes or running around with idiots as we saw with Ned Beaty's performances... With that said, I feel a friend said it best when he said that a superhero is only as good as his arch nemesis... They rely on each other, and that's the bottom line. Oh, and as for the whole Batman and Robin thing? The only reason that Batman Forever was even worth the movie ticket wasn't Chris O'donnel, it was Jim Carrey as The Riddler, and as for batman and Robin? I'll agree with you there. Alica Silverstone without a doubt cause she was a sexy as hell, but they got THAT wrong. She's Gordon's daughter, not Alfred's neice! I mean, really? The downfall of the batman movies was too many baddies, and not enough 'story'.
Related Headlines
Latest Headlines

Hot Headlines Hot Headlines

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Anime & Manga

Gaming

Horror

Cartoons & Animated Features

Action Movies & TV

Pro Wrestling & MMA News
View Recorder