The Man of Steel is back. And he’s 12. No, seriously, Bryan Singer is a genius, and can do no wrong in my book. Taking what is an old and kitchy superhero series and turning it a little on it’s ear, he’s brought some new ideas to the new Superman movie.
I just don’t buy Routh and Bosworth as any older than they really are, 26 and 23. Yeah, no, since the plot states that Stuperman has been away for 5 years, and it takes place AFTER Superman 2.
And it wasn’t like these two kids were just MEANT to play these parts. There’s no Hugh Jackman/Wolverine perfect match. It doesn’t matter. And it really doesn’t, because the story and the visuals really work.
Superman is larger than life, so the over-the-top CGI works in favor of the movie. Sometimes, it just doesn’t make sense – there are plot holes, continent-sized plot holes. But who cares? Especially when the main twist is revealed. Had me laughing so hard, and “bravo-ing” to Singer for changing Superman lore to fit his needs.
But the bigger, better treat for viewers was the Spider-Man 3 trailer. I had seen it before, so I knew what was coming, but it looks great. Sandman, Green Goblin 2 and the Alien Symbiote that merges with Spidey and then Eddie Brock to become Venom, my favorite Spidey villian. Venom’s cool ’cause he’s nuts and has huge teeth. ‘Nuff said. My only fear is that it will fall into the Batman trap from the Schumacher (say it with me, “Batman suit with nipples”) years, where there were too many villians distracting from the main character’s struggles and story.
I wax philosophical about superheroes because, amazingly, their movies often deal with more human-sized drama and strife than a standard kitchen-sink drama. When was the last time you really cared about a human character in a movie? How about every superhero movie in the Singer-era. Nolan’s Batman was phenomenal, as are all of Singer’s X-Men. Ratner can suck an egg.
To be true, there are movies out there with great human drama on a small scale. These movies I love. Sideways. Lonesome Dove. Magnolia. The Breakfast Club. No bigger than life characters. Just normal people with problems. I love that.
Cause we all have ’em.