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Bless you Michael Bay. Armageddon is a masterpiece.

Guys Guys Guys, don't you know a cryptic clue when you see one.

Tuan must be referring to Batman Begins, starring Katie Holmes (although I wish it didn't).

Sorry Tuan, have to say it's no contender for my top films of 2005. I think Nolan got it completely wrong. It takes itself far too seriously. The villian's doomsday scheme is so ridiculous that only a madman could concoct it, yet the villain is portrayed as some sort of calm genius. No, definitely didn't work for me.

Bless you Michael Bay. Armageddon is a masterpiece.

Wow, I had no idea you could post pictures in this forum... much less magical cookies

[Sigh] Once again, my sarcasm goes criminally unappreciated...

I have to say, Batman Begins almost made my own Best Picture list. Although -- by the barest of margins -- I must say, I personally think Superman Returns is the best superhero film of all time, including Richard Donner's original Superman. I know, I'm in the minority here, but, heck, I'm used to that.

I remain, as always...

Nico.

Nico, I suspected you knew the answer, but I wanted to play it safe. Now I'm the stoopid one!

Anyway, I'm just wondering why on earth you like Superman Returns?
I have to say I disliked it immensel. I thought Spacy was far too over-the top (especially in relation to Hackman's suave Luthor). Routhe was well cast, but why are people letting James Marsters into films?

As for the story, the whole Krypton island was silly and so insignificant that it made the film feel more like an episode as opposed to a feature film.

SPOILER ALERT

The superboy thing was so obvious from the opening moments that the idea of trying to hide it and tease it for the big reveal felt utterly superfluous

END OF SPOILERS

And finally, yes, I know it's a comic book movie, I know it's not real, but how come nobody questioned the fact that once superman returned, Clarke Kent suddenly re-appeared. No one makes the connection! Are we to assume this is a reality of a much less intelligent human species?

No, I'm afraid I just couldn't enjoy Superman. Sure, the out-of-control air (space?) plane scene was nice, but it's about the only good scene.

In terms of comic book movies, give me Spiderman, Sin City, Batman and Batman Returns, even the original Superman, way before you throw me another opportunity to pull out my hair at the implausibilities of this film.

[dismount soapbox]

Tuan, you gave him an unedible magical cookie.

Nicodemus wrote:

I must say, I personally think Superman Returns is the best superhero film of all time, including Richard Donner's original Superman.

Finally! someone agrees with me. I was never a really big fan of either of the series but I really enjoyed Superman Returns. Im hoping The Dark Knight will strike an interest within me for Batman now.

I'm sorry but Superman Returns to me was worse than spiderman 3. 3 hour long action movies with 30 minutes of lame-o action just aren't my thing. At. All. Bor_ing. Batman Begins kicked serious ace because christian bale is a major BA. and so is Batman. Therefore it makes sense for the two to be one. Yay. Now what about superman. Brandon Routh. Seriously. I understand they didn't want to confuse fans by using tom welling but you would think hollywood could find some who at least pumps some iron every now and then, and not get the only guy whos more of a pansy than Tobey Maguire. Yeah I'll admit I like both of their acting. Maguire has his movies. and routh acted pretty good in returns. But there was not action-o. no spice-o. It was....How you say.... el boring-o. He's frickin superman for crying out loud. The biggest BA in the comicverse. And Ang Lees hulk kicked more ace than him. For Shame. Rant over. And I hate to correct you but the black night was a mediocre Martin Lawrence movie. I think your referring to the dark night.

cRAzY wrote:

And I hate to correct you but the black night was a mediocre Martin Lawrence movie. I think your referring to the dark night.

yeah. I was referring to The Dark Knight, thanks.

Bless you Michael Bay. Armageddon is a masterpiece.

numbersix_99 wrote:

In terms of comic book movies, give me Spiderman, Sin City, Batman and Batman Returns, even the original Superman, way before you throw me another opportunity to pull out my hair at the implausibilities of this film.

[dismount soapbox]

What you are getting at here (and I think so is Nico) is a difference of taste that really comes down fundamentally to comic book vs graphic novel. Graphic novel stylism, and that gritty dark feel that you and I love so much has had a big upswing recently, its where we are getting movies like Batman Begins, 300, Sin City, and 30 Days of Night.
I think what Nico is saying is he has an appreciation of the classic comic book style - cheesy and over the top. Its a whole different genre, which revels in being ridiculous and squeaky clean, very 50's - which I think Superman Returns did a good job of re-creating, however with our modern cynicism and over exposure we find unbelievable and un-entertaining.

Bless you Michael Bay. Armageddon is a masterpiece.

Becs,

Good point, my taste naturally leans to graphic novels. But I still don't feel that excuses Superman Returns. I mean, while I'm not a huge fan of the new Fantastic four movies, I find them enjoyable- now they really are an example of bright, fluffy, and entertaining, comic books- NOT graphic novels.

Now, as for Superman Returns, I felt that if it was trying to represent that old, innocent era of comics, i didn't do it very well. It wasn't stylised enough to feel like that. The latter parts especially, which were very moody and gloomy, and overall dull. If representing comic books was Singer's style, he should have been more visually expressive about it. It should have been more fun... like the first Raimi Spiderman movie.

I get the nub of Nico's drift, but to me, Superman Returns didn't really FEEL like a superhero movie, much less a comic-book movie. Granted, it's been a year since I've seen it and I don't remember what thoughts I was thinking when I was walking out of the theater, but I never got that sense of excitement or passion, even during the "exciting" parts!

I think what Nico is saying is he has an appreciation of the classic comic book style - cheesy and over the top.

And that's exactly what I like too. Maybe that was Superman Returns' problem... it was too ponderous, too laid back, not much FUN. It's exactly why the two Fantastic Four movies are among my favorite comic book/superhero movies EVER. Good effects, good drama, good villains, great stunts, and just the right amount of cheese. And it took itself seriously enough that I didn't feel that the actors were phoning in their performances, but not so seriously that simply watching this movie was meant to be a life-changing experience (you hear me, Tobey?).

I said this in my review of FF2; I don't go into this type of movie looking for Academy Award-worthy performances. I want to smile, to laugh, to sit on the edge of my seat, to pump my fist ("YEAH, baby!") and to leave the theater thoroughly happy. For all of its faults, the FF movies did just that. I'll never say they are the best, but for me, they are among the most enjoyable. And in that respect, Superman Returns is way at the bottom of the list, right above The Hulk and right below Daredevil.

tuan69 wrote:

Sorry, that doesn't change the fact that Superman Returns was a complete disappointment.

A film like Batman begins = manhood

Superman Returns = just entering puberty.

Although i don't totally agree with you, that's hilarious.

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