Compared the epic of Donner's first film, it's scope, it's use of poetry, wit, emotion and it's breakthroughs in music, special effects, not to mention how it defined to all of how superheroes can bring out the best in all of us, it makes Burton's film look like a rush job of an amateur.
And not surprisingly, you missed the point. I wasn't discussing your personal enthusiasm for
Superman, simply pointing out the fact that your assertion "every superhero film since owes its very soul..." to the
Superman films is specious.
Modern superhero films depend heavily upon the direction that Burton's
Batman took, and not at all on Donner's
Superman. The only superhero movie of note since
X-Men that owes a debt to
Superman in any substantial respect is
Superman Returns, and it disappointed Warner Bros.
Is that clearer?
The second one, nearly as good, beat Peter Parker and Bruce Wayne and everyone else in the angst department while still giving us the most memorable superhero showdown in cinema history.
That's nonsense.
Superman II is a patchwork job, badly written and clumsily edited together from usable footage shot by Donner and new stuff representing a complete change of tone and direction on the part of Richard Lester. It's an entertaining film, but not even a particularly good one. Angst? Nope - goofy, occasionally touching melodrama at best.
