Superman Returns...

[fajrdrako]

There was a time, when I was eight or nine years old, that I loved Superman and Superman comics - particularly Superboy and The Legion of Super-Heroes. This was before I discovered Marvel comics, and my love of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, X-Men and Daredevil far eclipsed any interest in Superman. Occasionally I read one of the Superman titles - I particularly like Superman/Batman, so nicely written by Jeph Loeb - but my attitude to the character has always been ambivalent. When I was young, he seemed to be always tricking Lois Lane, and I thought it the ultimate hypocrisy for him to stand for truth while hiding his identity from the world and from the woman he loved. He no longer does this, in the comic; but my ambivalence remains.

So I went to see Superman Returns and surprised myself by loving it. Usually I think movies based on comics aren't very good, but this movie managed to evoke the things I like about Superman and to be a good movie at the same time - 'good' in that it reached my feelings. I cried.


Spoilers follow. It might be easiest to list a few things I liked:

(1) Brendan Routh. My favourite version of Superman so far. He seemed real to me, and for the first time, both Clark Kent and Superman seemed intelligent to me. Rather than being remote and alienated, or superior and smug, he seemed quiet, thoughtful, and coping as best he could in a complex and needy world. Perfect! Sexy, too.

(2) The role of Lois Lane in his life. Now, I didn't much like Kate Bosworth - her looks and style didn't convince me of Lois' intelligence, her skills, her good heart or her integrity - but the script did, and the plot. Lois' attitude to Superman made perfect sense on all levels.

(3) I loved the theme of the child, and his relationship to Superman, to Lois and to Richard White. Loved it when the child threw the piano. Loved it when he kissed Superman in the hospital.

(4) Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor was fun, though much more of a standard crazy-comic-stereotype villain than any of the other characters in the movie, except his companion Kitty. Not sexy, like Michael Rosenbaum. I would have preferred an actor closer in age to Superman. For some reason I was disappointed not to see Mercy or Hope - not that I had been led to expect them.

(5) Good special effects. Yes, I believed a man could fly. Some of the world-building stuff went on longer than I liked, but that was okay. Generally the use of Superman's powers was subtle, convincing, and fun to watch. I loved the way he looked when he was flying, or falling.

(6) Jimmy Olsen annoyed me. Jimmy Olsen always annoys me.

(7) Perry White was wonderful, as is often the case. I like Frank Langella.

(8) I loved it that Martha Kent went to the hospital when Superman's life was endangered.

(9) Things are certainly set up for a sequel. I'd love to see one.

Comments

[widget-alley.livejournal.com]

In other news, I just managed to see the first episode of Doctor Who. 'Twas brilliant. Except for the ending, when all the mannequins went crazy and jerked around, and all I could think was "Kraftwerk!" I love how crazed the Doctor is, all the time, though.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I just managed to see the first episode of Doctor Who.

Ooh, wonderful! Was it "Rose"? Oh yes, of course, you said mannekins.... Kraftwerk, yeah!

I love how crazed the Doctor is, all the time,

Oh my goodness yes, isn't he magnificent? Absolutely crazed, and so lovely with it. I adore his demented joy in danger and his fascination with the unexpected, good or bad. You haven't seen him really angry yet....

So glad that you see what I see - the wild brilliance of it all.

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It was! I plan on watching them in order, for a change. (Tell me, is it true there are Victorian zombies later on?)

Absolutely! Admittedly, I've only seen an episode so far, but he seems cast in the same mold as almost all my favorite characters: completely batshit insane.

I also, just visually, like the slightly retro way in which it's shot and framed, and the frantic pace of the whole thing. Also, it's so nice to see a female on television who's not as big around as my little finger-- and is quite cute on top of that. (So's the Doctor, but that's a given.)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Tell me, is it true there are Victorian zombies later on?

Yes. Victorian werewolves, too, much further on.

he seems cast in the same mold as almost all my favorite characters: completely batshit insane.

Hmm. I don't know if I'd categorize him or any of my heroes as insane - I think they see reality more clearly than the rest of us, if you get the distinction. Crazy, but it's wisdom-madness.

I also, just visually, like the slightly retro way in which it's shot and framed

My goodness, yes. And each episode works with its setting to full effect.

it's so nice to see a female on television who's not as big around as my little finger-- and is quite cute on top of that.

I had my doubts about Rose in the beginning but her role is amazing: she was some of the best character development that I've ever seen on TV, and she totally won my admiration and interest.

The Doctor is... I can't even find the right words. Not so much gorgeous, or even irresistible... I think maybe "compelling" is the word I want.

I'm so glad you're watching now!

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Yes. Victorian werewolves, too, much further on.

I can stop watching now, because all my dreams have come true. I was literally just going off about Victorian zombies to a friend not long ago, and how we should open a Victorian zombie bar that was also a bookshop.

Crazy, but it's wisdom-madness.

I think Nietzsche has a suitable quote about dancing and insanity. But you're right, of course-- it's the madness of farsighted eyes and people with, you know, actual senses of perspective. I like how the Doctor seems to know it doesn't actually matter all that much. Actually, he reminds me a little of what Emilio Sandoz might be like, if he were a time-travelling alien. (People who live, enthusiastically and without apology, are very, very, one might say magnetically, attractive. People who live enthusiastically and are quick and intelligent are completely awesome.)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I was literally just going off about Victorian zombies to a friend not long ago, and how we should open a Victorian zombie bar that was also a bookshop.

That's wonderful. Go for it.

I think Nietzsche has a suitable quote about dancing and insanity.

I looked up Nietzsche and dancing. I got: "I would not know what the spirit of a philosopher might wish more to be than a good dancer" and "I should only believe in a God that would know how to dance" and "I tell you: one must have chaos in one, to give birth to a dancing star." Is that what you were thinking of? All those quotes make me think of the Doctor! (As you will see when you get to the episode "The Doctor Dances", where dancing is used as a metaphor for identity and for sex.)

I like how the Doctor seems to know it doesn't actually matter all that much.

Well said. Except when it does. And sometimes when it doesn't. He has perspective.

ctually, he reminds me a little of what Emilio Sandoz might be like, if he were a time-travelling alien.

What a perfect comment.

People who live, enthusiastically and without apology, are very, very, one might say magnetically, attractive.

Absolutely.

People who live enthusiastically and are quick and intelligent are completely awesome.

This is my life's ambition and goal. What better role model could I have?

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Oh, we are. We are thinking of working pirates in there somehow, too, and with pirates come wenches. There is no possible flaw inherent in this plan, like commercial viability or finding employees who are willing to wear an eyepatch for eight plus hours.

Wow, I thought it was everywhere! Perhaps I have led you astray-- perhaps it wasn't Nietzsche. I like all yours, although I was specifically thinking of, "And those who were dancing were thought to be insane, by those who could not hear the music." Belated, but apropos, I feel. (Wait, doesn't that have Captain Jack in it? I cannot wait for Captain Jack. The few bits you quoted were enough to send me into convulsions of glee and laughter. Also, metaphors, identity and sex! Three of my favorite things, right there, although a little harder to fit into that song than rain drops and kittens and warm woollen mittens. (I've always wanted to re-write that song to my own tastes. What rhymes with "cross-referencing" and "irony"?) )

What a perfect comment.

Well, it's a pretty big "if", but he really does remind me of Emilio in his manic cheerfulness coupled with unthinking, unspecific affection and concern. Hopefully he will not end up quite as.... broken (even if Emilio did turn out all right, which he did, and my God I love those books, thank you for mentioning them, did I tell you I gave them to my mum and my sister and they are both enthralled?)

This is my life's ambition and goal.

What a coincidence. It's mine too. :D

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Victorian pirate zombies? Arrrr.

"And those who were dancing were thought to be insane, by those who could not hear the music."

Interesting - a quick google-search gives me that quote all over the place, on blogs and deviantArt and other sites, but not on any of the Neitzsche quote sites or schoalrly sites. Perhaps it's a matter of variations in translation? It's a lovely quote, anyway.

As for My favourite things... hmm...

Metaphors, sex, and identity mysteries,
Crusading knights and time-travelling histories,
Games of philosophy, wordplay, webrings,
These are a few of my favourite things....

Well, it's a pretty big "if", but he really does remind me of Emilio in his manic cheerfulness coupled with unthinking, unspecific affection and concern. Hopefully he will not end up quite as.... broken

The Doctor's degree of brokenness is a matter for conjecture. From time to time (cf. Dalek, or the 'explanation' scene in The End of the World) he seems very broken indeed. Which might explain the manic passions and the off-handedness.

and my God I love those books,

So do I.

thank you for mentioning them

You're welcome.

did I tell you I gave them to my mum and my sister and they are both enthralled?

I am delighted to hear it. They are such wonderful books I think everyone should enjoy them. Wonderful characters, wonderful concepts, and so full of thought and humanism and the right kinds of questions.