The bastard son of Krypton.

I saw the new Superman movie and as these things go it was pretty good. Not surprising I imagine since Bryan Singer usually makes a good movie (see Apt Pupil which ranks just behind The Usual Suspects in terms of his best movies).

Following a mysterious absence of several years, Superman (Brandon Routh), comes back to Earth—but things have changed. While Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) plots to render him powerless once and for all, Superman faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), has moved on with her life. Or has she? Superman's bittersweet return challenges him to bridge the distance between them while finding a place in a society that has learned to survive without him. In an attempt to protect the world he loves from cataclysmic destruction, Superman embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space.

I had a few problems with the film. It was way long. Much, much longer than it needed to be (Running Time: 2 hrs. 34 min.). It could have easily clocked in at just under or over two hours and been a lot better movie. I can only wonder if there is a special edition DVD if they’ll have anything in the way of deleted scenes since it is so unbearably long it looks like they used everything. If you don’t believe me, see if you don’t find yourself wondering when the damn thing is going to end and fidgeting in your seat for the last half hour.

That said, Kate Bosworth was wonderful (although I have to admit to getting her confused with Kate Beckinsale), Kevin Spacey was just out and out excellent as always, doing probably the best turn as Lex Luthor I have ever seen. Even Parker Posey who is known for destroying pictures was good in this (oops I get her confused with Amanda Peet). Brandon Routh was excellent as the Big Red S!

Singer has also managed to take some of the better elements of earlier Superman movies and reuse them to best effect in this film (score, titles and the appearance of a certain dead actor). I’m trying not to ruin the thing for those who do go and see it.

What I did have a problem with (spoiler text below - highlight to read):

Not to be a prude but, the plot point of Supes trying to put the moves on an obviously attached and involved Lois Lane didn’t quite sit well with me. Not that it’s so racy or anything, just that it’s kind of at odds with the whole image of Superman being this white bread pure superhero. When he is making the moves on her it is very clear she is living with and for all he knows has a family with another man. Superman the adulterer? I’m just not sure if that’s the kind of message you want for this type of a movie. What subtle message are you sending there?

The bastard son of Krypton reference is towards Lois’ kid who midway through the second act they make very clear is the child of Lois and Supes. Superman does the dirty deed with Lois (without protection no less) and then leaves behind a pregnant Lois is very uncool. Faster than a speeding bullet but unable to wear a hat? Lois certainly has a right to be pissed. Again, it’s just this cutesy kind of thing I imagine they were trying to make the character more modern but, I really think someone made a wrong turn with that one. Take out the reveal of the kid having powers and leave him as the kid of Lois and her new man and Supes becomes a more heroic figure in my book.

Also, there was a certain amount of very subtle Christian iconography that was going on it seemed. A lot of the poses and the way Supes was shot seemed very reminiscent of some of the clichéd portrayals of Christ through the centuries - much in the way the figure was posed and the point of view.



Anyway, I’m curious to see how others found it so please leave your comments below!