Bryan Singer: Why 'Superman Returns' Didn't Work
- Thread starter Dream
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That would be Frank Langella.
I think the most basic problem with Superman Returns is that it's a bit too melancholy. Singer's work has a dark streak to it, which is fine, but it's not appropriate to the Superman character. Superman is not dark; Superman is brightness and optimism and the flag and apple pie. And he's not morally ambiguous, either -- the entire bit with the kid being or not being Superman's, and Superman leaving him to be raised by Richard, would work well enough in most films or with another character, but with Superman? Superman is supposed to be a very basic, very simple, not completely psychologically realistic character; I don't think that "Superman as a divorced dad" (figuratively, not literally) really works as a concept. It's not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's messier than the character of Superman should be depicted as being involved in.
I liked the unspoken subtext of the film. When it was released in 2006, it had been five years since 9/11. Superman is described as having been gone for five years; the implicit meaning of that being, Superman left, and then 9/11 happened. I liked that idea. I think it should have been played up more -- not overtly, I don't think 9/11 should have been directly addressed, but I like the idea of linking the return of Superman to a sort of national re-invigoration, a restoration of American optimism and morality after an unnamed national disaster.
Again, that's the biggest problem with Superman Returns. For all the parts of it that are fun and exciting, it's just a bit too melancholy. It gets too sad. Singer's sensibility works for X-Men because that's a melancholy story about oppression and prejudice; it works for something like Apt Pupil. But I just don't think it works for Superman. You need someone with a brighter, more hopeful sensibility for Superman.
I liked the unspoken subtext of the film. When it was released in 2006, it had been five years since 9/11. Superman is described as having been gone for five years; the implicit meaning of that being, Superman left, and then 9/11 happened. I liked that idea. I think it should have been played up more -- not overtly, I don't think 9/11 should have been directly addressed, but I like the idea of linking the return of Superman to a sort of national re-invigoration, a restoration of American optimism and morality after an unnamed national disaster.
Again, that's the biggest problem with Superman Returns. For all the parts of it that are fun and exciting, it's just a bit too melancholy. It gets too sad. Singer's sensibility works for X-Men because that's a melancholy story about oppression and prejudice; it works for something like Apt Pupil. But I just don't think it works for Superman. You need someone with a brighter, more hopeful sensibility for Superman.
I thought Superman Returns lacked a big catastrophe during Superman's absence in the movie itself.
According to imdb, they did consider a scene where he visits ground zero.
The biggest problem was that people expected something that could really face Superman one on one in the age of CGI! Zod and co were basically hairy Kryptonians in disco suits in front of bad rear projection. I still say a large scale movie with a Brainiac worthy of the Justice League cartoon version would be a tremendous smash.
RAMA
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I thought it was his issues related to being gay? oh, right, that was the X-Men films...
And Valkyrie was related to his issues being Jewish?
Nothing was explicitly mentioned, but the characters all seem to react to the "five years ago" situation as though something horrible happened after Superman left, as though his disappearance made them feel fundamentally betrayed and disappointed. And I find it hard to believe that the "five years" length of time was chosen as anything other than a subtle reference to 9/11.
My interpretation could be completely wrong, mind you, but I do think that the unspoken implication is that Superman left and 9/11 happened.
It was a movie about trying to kill Hitler...
... And some snarky souls have said that the bland and unconvincing flirtation between Clark and Lois in SR was a reflection on his lack of romantic love for women... but that wasn't moi, mind you.
I think it was due to the lack of chemistry between the actors. Well, that and the blandness of the performances.... And some snarky souls have said that the bland and unconvincing flirtation between Clark and Lois in SR was a reflection on his lack of romantic love for women... but that wasn't moi, mind you.
And the blandness of the script ... and the directing ... and the visual palette ... and the score ... and ...
Yeah, it was just a morose movie. Hardly the bright, fast-paced, and just pure heroic awesome I'd expect from Superman.
As much as I love Supeman 1979 and liked Returns I'd still love to see a Superman movie that just gives me that awesome sense of Superman.
As much as I love Supeman 1979 and liked Returns I'd still love to see a Superman movie that just gives me that awesome sense of Superman.
I like the concealed low-key gay bashing in this thread.
