I am, I am, I am Superman...
I know I may have promised a few of you a post on a certain topic. However, something came up that trumped that particular post in terms of sensitivity to timeliness. So the promised post will go up tomorrow... promise. I really mean it this time.
Anywho, Katie had to pick me up from work yesterday because I had driven her car to the shop to take care of a recall notice that she received in the mail. No, nothing bad, and nothing we had to pay for, unlike last time. So I was actually happy to take it in.
She stopped at home on her way from work to pick up a change of clothes for both her and me because we were planning on hanging out with the future SiL, Jen. She also picked up the mail and immediately called me.
Katie: "You got a couple packages in the mail that you're going to love."
Kevin: "Really? What are they?"
Katie: "Well, one's from Italy."
Kevin: "Kim?"
Katie: "Yep. That girl really digs you. And I'm not touching this stuff."
Kevin: "Black licorice?!?!"
Katie: "Yep."
EXCELLENT!! I know Kim has sent me some black licorice'd goodies before, but that package was expected. This one, I had no idea was coming. So it was an incredible surprise. And a yummy one, at that.
To Kim... thank you so much! You are awesome!
The other package was an order I placed last week with the WB Store. In anticipation of the release of the new movie, I ordered myself a pair of the Superman dogtags that support the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.
I had been wanting to order a pair of these for well over a year now, but always forgot. Now, it's a bit hard to not remember Superman as his image is all over the place. So I finally ordered a deuce.
And they arrived just in time as we went to see Superman Returns with Jen last night!
So how was it? Oh they're great! Really high-quality metal, nice imprinting on both sides of the tags, and your $10 buys you two of them... one on a classic dogtag metal bead necklace and the other on a keyring.
Oh wait, you wanted to hear about the movie, didn't you?
Two words: Freakin'. Awesome.
If, as I stated last year, Batman Begins qualifies as "geek porn," then it was clearly the hardcore comic movie porn -- the kind you watch with all your guy friends in a dorm room after hours. Only the really brave women would dare come watch with you.
Superman Returns, comparatively speaking, was the softer, sweeter sort of porn that you might actually convince your significant other to watch. It was slower with a much more dramatic story build. But, when those gang bang... er... action sequences kick in, look out!
A quick recap of some plot points (no spoilers here, I don't think, as you can read most of this information anywhere). Superman disappears from Earth when astronomers discover pieces of what they believe to be the remains of Superman's home planet of Krypton. So he goes to check it out. When he finally returns five years later, it's to a world that has changed immensely. One that has moved on... without their champion and savior.
The big question on everyone's mind... Brandon Routh. Believable or not so much? Well I loved him. I thought he was great. Some critics are picking him apart saying he's a little stiff or rough around the collar. I don't think it was his acting so much as it was the awkwardly endearing nature that was infused into the character of Clark Kent by the late great Christopher Reeve. He was supposed to be bumbling, and awkward, and shy, and reserved. That's the charm of the character.
As Superman, there were no such worries. He was the picture of poise and confidence in my book. From the little loop of hair to the out the corner of the eye looks and the wry, knowing half smiles... Routh just worked.
And then there are the other actors in the film.
As much as I wasn't sure what to think of him in the role as I'm not a huge fan, I think Kevin Spacey was absolutely incredible as Lex Luthor. He embodied everything that Lex was supposed to be even if he did occasionally remind me more of how I had envisioned Kingpin from Daredevil before the casting of Michael Clarke Duncan in the role. And Spacey makes bald look awesome. I don't think he should ever have hair again, he looks that cool.
Another brilliant bit of casting that seems to be overlooked by many reviewers is Frank Langella as Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Perry White. It was a very subtle sort of role. One that shouldn't stand out compared to everyone else. But, in my mind, it did because Langella was perfect. He knew when to take charge and when to step back. He was rough and tumble but with an underlying heart and sympathy.
Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane, though. Okay, she wasn't terrible. Not like Katie Holmes in Batman Begins. I did enjoy watching Bosworth quite a bit more. But there was still something missing. I haven't quite nailed it down yet.
The special effects were also great. Not quite as convincing as Batman Begins or some other darker action flicks. I attribute this to the fact that so much of the action in this movie occurs in daylight. This allows you to see the flaws in the CGI more readily than a film that is swathed in blackness. Think the first two Harry Potter films as compared to the latter two. Even if both used the same CGI effects, they looked better in the most recent two because of the aura of darkness surrounding the films. Christopher Columbus had his bright shiny Hogwarts (blech) in the first two films whereas Alfonso Cuaron and Mike Newell went a darker, moodier route, allowing the CGI to look a lot more realistic.
And the music... oh the music. Different composer, same theme, and exceptionally well done.
Speaking of throwbacks to the original film, they are in abundance in this movie, right from the moment it starts. Keep an eye open for them.
Not everyone is going to agree with this review, but it's my review and I stand by it. I enjoyed the hell out of this movie and look forward to going back to the theater and watching it on an IMAX screen. And I know I will love it even more the second go round.
OMG, isn't getting gifts from bloggers the raddest??? I got a Jack Johnson DVD and some decals from my friend Brandon once. Sean was like "Ok, I hope Brandon isn't some freak stalker who now has our address. I should send some of my favorite bloggers some little goodies. Hmmm, maybe someday.
Posted by: jacquie | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 07:23 AM
OH yah, and how could I forget getting my free and signed copy of THE LOST BLOGS. That was the coolest thing ever!!
Posted by: jacquie | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 07:24 AM
I was with you on everything. I even stopped from laughing at you buying those dogtags. But then you said "geek porn" and I was all giggly through the rest. HA. That's a great one.
Posted by: Mocha | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 08:12 AM
Evan and I saw it at the IMAX in 3D last night :)
Posted by: Alissa | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 09:05 AM
I thought about skipping it only because I can't imagine anyone but Christopher Reeves playing that role but now I may have to check it out.
Posted by: Elaine | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 09:13 AM
Jacquie, yeah it's fun to get gifts. I wanted to send her stuff, but she won't tell me what she wants. That and she'd likely just have to tote it back stateside with her at the end of the summer. So Katie and I will take her and her fiancee out for dinner and drinks when they're back.
Mocha, you were laughing at my dogtags? *sniffle* But they're so awesome *sniffle* and all the
Posted by: Kevin | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 09:34 AM
We saw Superman Returns last night as well. It definitely was Freakin' Awesome. But you are right, Kate Bosworth was missing something as Lois Lane. I think she wasn't rough around the edges enough, maybe a little too cute. And the throwbacks made the whole thing perfect. Oh yeah, and how about the early scene with the dogs? That nearly made me spit out my Coke.
Posted by: Brandon | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 10:50 AM
Nice review. Like I said in my post about it, I thought Superman and Lex were very well done, but I thought the movie lacked some action. I don't feel like Singer really showcased and broke down Superman's abilities enough. Compared to the Spiderman movies, it's hard to do. Sam Raimi is the master of camera angles!
Posted by: Johnny C. | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 11:48 AM
Brandon, the throwbacks were great. I sat there in awe at the beginning of the film. The dogs! That killed me. My wife started whimpering.
Johnny, yeah, Sam is good. Look at all the practice he got with the Evil Dead series. That involved some funky camera angles.
Posted by: Kevin | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 12:54 PM
I really loved the movie. Saw it last night. Definitely want to see it again.
And I love getting stuff in the mail from people, too. Makes my day every time.
Posted by: Karl | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 01:26 PM
Why dogtags?
Was Superman in the military? Am I missing something?
Posted by: Chanakin | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 02:29 PM
Karl, especially when it's completely unexpected like this was. When I know I'm getting something, it's one thing. You expect it; you're looking out for it. Normally, we, as Americans, get nothing but bills and credit card applications in the mail. So when you get that rare gem of a shipment, it's all the sweeter. Kim is awesome!
Chanakin, you've heard of the conceptual SuperTrooper, right? Well, now you know (and knowing is half the battle... G.I. Joe!!!!)
Posted by: Kevin | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 03:01 PM
Bret has promised we can go tomorrow if I'm feeling well enough. So I'm drinking green tea and OJ like crazy. Not together.
Kevin, does Typepad not allow Gravatars in comments, or is that your choice?
Posted by: SJ | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 06:17 PM
Batman Begins is hardcore geek porn? I am in bad shape then. Or I've spent too much time hanging out with guys who are into comic books. But Batman? Well, the Dark Knight series rocked and that's all I'm going to say. And don't even get me going on X-Men. I just like to think of myself as a geek who has learned some social skills over the year. I will be adding this to my list of stuff to see this summer. And I know what I'll be talking about at work next weekend. One of my coworkers is a huge comics fan.
Posted by: Dagny | Friday, 30 June 2006 at 08:49 PM
SuperWho?? You lost me after the words "black licorice"... Yum!
Posted by: ChickyBabe | Saturday, 01 July 2006 at 10:35 PM
I have those dogtags too. I got them for me and [my] Dave as soon as they came out, and we love having them. I have them hooked onto my keychain.
I, too, LOVED Superman Returns. I thought it was a great sequel, but even stand-alone it would be awesome. I think Routh was perfect in the role, and great observation about Frank Langella! Spacey was great, Bosworth was ok, but truthfully, I never loved the Lois Lane character (maybe b/c I'm a trained journalist, yet nothing like she is). But Parker Posey = ANNOYING. She sucks in everything in all her movies. She plays the same character over and over again. Has she ever been likeable?
Posted by: Eve | Saturday, 01 July 2006 at 10:36 PM
Ooo! I am happy the licorice came! I could not resist sending it... it is the best! ;)
(PS I still have some licorice and chocolates from Spain for you at my house in Round Lake...)
Posted by: kilax | Sunday, 02 July 2006 at 07:08 AM
SJ, so far as I can tell, no gravatars. Haven't really explored the option. Never been a big deal. Always hated the generic icon that was placed in there for people who don't have one. Rather have none than the non-icon.
Dagny, obviously, you're hardcore. Heh.
ChickyBabe, YESS!!! Someone else who loves black licorice!
Eve, I have not heard a single other person say anything about Langella in that movie. And he was great. I have one of the dogtags on my keychain and the other hanging from my rearview mirror.
Kilax, it was spectacular licorice. I say "was" in past tense for obvious reasons. ;-)
Posted by: Kevin | Monday, 03 July 2006 at 01:57 PM