Jul 19, 2006 04:27 PM
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Why the world doesn’t need Superman? This was the highlight of the movie except that the word "returns" was missing..... I presume it was edited. Like many readers, I spent my childhood watching and fantasizing Superman and his movies. His red cape, blue dress, red undie, the superman "S" logo, the jingle (thats my ringtone), the phrase" IS IT A BIRD, IS IT A PLANE, NO IT IS SUPERMAN"... wow.... All kids used to dream and wish to become Superman,didn’t they? Then came our Indian replacement --dashing ex-"bheesma pitamaha" Mukesh Khanna in SHAKTIMAAN.. and boy, didn’t kids like him too??? I also read of so many incidents where kids thinking they were like Shaktimaan and jumped from roof tops. Now, even Hrithik tried tapping the Superman image with Krish and he too became successful. (thats what my building kids told me).
I had two choices on a Sunday. My friend who was accompanying me was insisting to go for Krishh. He is a Hrithik fan. I asked him whether he had seen Superman (the earlier version) and he hadn't. Then, I had two options : either to see our Indian hero or my childhood hero. I went for the latter and was in for a suprise- a real one. Frankly speaking, I had never seen Brandon Routh before that movie except on printads for that movie in newspapers. But, Comeon Mr. Singer, this guy is not a Superman. By putting gel on his hair and making him look like a Christopher Reeve duplicate, you cannot make him look like a Superman. He’s too tall, way too tall for a Superman. He doesnt have a chest for a Superman. His ribs were poking from the costume. Reports say he had gone to gym.... I wonder,... REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was this a Superman movie or a romantic flick a.k.a. soap like the Bold and Beautiful where the hero tries in vain to serenade his ex-lover who is now married. He even took her on a ride across the town much like the earlier Superman. But, didn’t the director know the simple fact that it was okay in the 1970’s or 80’s when travelling around in a private plane was a delicacy, but u dont need a Superman to travel around town. Get on a private jet and take a girl around town. Lois Lane is also a disappointment- a big one, whoever the female is. The earlier version of Lane came in front of my eyes during the movie.
Now, for the story (I wonder was there any....). On one hand, we have a lean-looking Routh and on another hand, we have a "Stone-Cold Steve Austin" look-alike Kevin Spacey. Now, Spacey is almost a veteran actor in Hollywood, but even he doesnt look like the villaneous mastermind criminal Lex Luthor. Mr. thinner comes from a Universal Trip (i mean the universe not universal studios..) searching for his past or his planet Krypton. And Mr. Luthor finds a crystal based on which he can create a new world of his own. Surprisingly, he wastes for five years for Superman to come back from his trip for his master plot to take place. He creates an evil plot where he decides to create an entire continent somewhere in mid-ocean which would replace over the existing American continent. Meanwhile, our so-called Superman is devastated to see his past lover already married with his kid (u will surprised who is the kid’s father in reality) and has written an article titled: "Why the world doesn’t need Superman?" and won a Pulitzer award for that. She claims that she doesnt love Superman anymore. Also, she has found solace with someone else and married.
So, finally, the plot goes like Luthor gets the crystal and Kryptonite, he partially defeats Superman (couldnt kill him when he had the chance), and he becomes weak and broken, and Superman is saved by Lois Lane and her family, then he comes back strong, "lifts" the titanic-size kryptonite island and hurls in space. And once again, Superman saves the world.
Hey, does the new Superman really deliver a punch which he proudly displays in every image of his? He is shown doing some stupid antics showing the world that he has finally come back by catching a superstore robberer, stopping a bank theft, etc. Is that a Superman heroics? Then suddenly we see him travelling faster than bullet or light to rescue a US military plane from crashing in a baseball field. But, is that it? I accept the special effects are world-class but not superman-class, Mr. Singer. If I wanted to see such special effects, I will prefer to watch Discovery or Ripley’s.
Was there any much action between Superman and villains? I saw some kids crying outside the movie theatre post-movie that there was no fighting sequence in the movie. Those kids didnt come to the theatre to see a bald-villain or a lean hero or an attempt to seduce a married woman.
The script writer really was a big disappointment. He could have easily killed Superman by giving Luthor the chance when he had one. But, he spoils a golden chance. I guess Mr. Singer was in a fix whether there should another sequel to this or not.... Even he is confused and so is the public. At last, he falls in river yet his hair gel is not spoiled (wow, which hair gel is that??? I would love to buy that....) And then he gets hospitalised and escapes without paying the bills. I guess his insurance cover saved him. But who payed the premium for the past 5 years when he was on his krypton-hunt?
Finally, I have always believed as the rest of the public that some characters are best left dead and Hollywood shouldn’t dare play with it. Just as there cannot be another Godfather, there cannot be another Superman. Christopher Reeve is the ultimate portrayal of the superhero (both on and off screen) and when he died the character died with him...... Please don’t cause him pain in eterinity. If Superman was to be really remade, please call back Christopher Reeve from planet Krypton or wherever he is .........
