Well, I've been thinking about this since Warner Bros announced they were rebooting the Superman film franchise and basically disregarding Bryan Singer's 2006 "Superman Returns".
A good idea? I know people who would disagree but my gut is saying no, it isn't a good idea. Only just. But why? Here's what I think.
I recently watched Returns to refresh my memory and on the whole it's a good film. Bryan Singer did a good job of being faithful to the Donner legacy whilst introducing the big man back into the cinema for the younger generation. I want to say this now, this is not a review, there's too much in the film to write about. But here goes my shot at summing up what I thought.
Alot about this film works really really well. I'll cover the main points later but even the tiny things such as the tips of the hat to the Superman history make a big difference, things like the references to Lex having been in the Fortress of Solitude before, the flight over the city with Lois and the subtle yet oh so noticeable nod to the cover of Action Comics #1 during Superman's first night rounds when he saves Kitty from her cut car brakes. Look:
On the whole it feels like the first two films did, which in my mind is brilliant. I loved them, so much so that i still get the same tingle in my spine as I did when I was 5 and I heard the famous music kicking in. Awesome.
Here's what I thought of the main aspects of the film:
Superman / Clark Kent - Brandon Routh obviously bears a striking resemblance to one Christopher Reeve, which lends a hand in when it comes to carrying on Donner's legacy. To be fair, he does a great job of portraying the big man and I did believe in him as a character. He was maybe a tad too fresh faced to wholly convince me but I'd love to see a slightly older Routh in a new film. As Clark Kent he pulled it off too, a little cheesy at times I know but let's be honest, it's the farmboy Clark playing a clumsy character isn't it. So, I'll let that one go.
Lois Lane - I'm a fan of a strong brassy and outspoken Lois and whilst Kate Bosworth is a good actress, she just didn't cut it for me I'm afraid. My preference for the Lois character is one such as is played by Erica Durance in Smallville and even the sassy Teri Hatcher version from '93s Lois & Clark. Again, she's a touch too young to be playing this character I think. It just didn't feel right. Plus, I don't think that the chemistry between Bosworth and Routh was particularly effective either.
Lex Luthor - Hmmmm I'm torn here. I think Kevin Spacey is a great actor, course he is, we all knew that anyway. Was annoys me most though about this version of Lex is that he's obviously a continuation of Gene Hackman's slightly hammy interpretation from the Donner legacy. Given what I've said above I suppose this is to be expected. I think where this goes wrong is that he's just not near menacing enough (with the exception of sticking Supes with the Kryptonite shard, I'll give that one). I concur that he is obviously screwed up and Spacey plays what he's been given very well but having seen Michael Rosenbaum's turn as Lex in Smallville, and even John Shea in L&C, it's hard to go back to seeing the character as a land obsessed maniac when he's had so much more to his arsenal in the other incarnations.
The FX - Not a major thing but I just wanted to note that I loved the effects in Returns. The plane scene and the part of the film where he's stopping the destruction of the city following the creation of the landmass were outstanding, as was the retrieval of the ship.
The plot - I can see where Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris wre going with the story, and again it serves as a good continuation to the Donner films. The thing that annoyed me most with it though was the fact that it never quite felt as if it'd got going. It was almost like there was something big coming that somehow stayed just out of reach. There were also a few bits in particular that I didn't like, I'm talking little things here; why did the fantastically advanced scientific mind of Jor-El make it so easy for a blatant imposter to access ALL the information in the Fortress, and then steal a crystal! Come on.
A strong focus of the plot was obviously the fact that Supes has to deal with the changed relationships of the people around him. The main point of this being the story between him and Lois, who is now a mum to a 5 year old boy and engaged to Richard White. I didn't buy for one second the part of Clark that was trying to edge his way back into Lois' affections (remember the scene outside the Planet where he asks her to join him for a bite to eat?). I just don't think someone of Clark's morals would try to do something like that. He's got alot of pent up feeling's already in there and he deals well with it, it's what he does, it's part of him being Superman. He'd just keep his feeling's locked away because his morals would force him to. I appreciate that Clark has feelings for Lois and Routh plays this well but leave it at the angst ridden looks over the office and the awkward interactions between the two, don't make Superman the relationship breaker.
So, why a reboot? - Personally the ONLY reason I'd ever want to see a reboot is because of the "Superman has a son" scenario that was left set up at the end of Returns. I really don't think that was a good way to go and I don't think they can really retcon that. But, that's only my opinion.
Bryan Singer had already promised more action and some meatier villains for the big man to go toe to toe with (which is exactly what we want to see, Superman let loose) so the only reason that I can think of for a reboot in the eyes of Warner's is a financial one. Returns was made for round $209 million and grossed $391,081,192 on it's release. Not bad really (well I don't think so) but if you compare it (as WB have obviously done) to the juggernaut that was the outstanding "The Dark Knight" which was made for $185 million and grossed nearly 1 billion at the box office I guess you can see where they're coming from.
The trouble with that is the gut reaction for any WB exec is to instantly say "right let's make Superman darker". No Warner, don't. Please do not. Stick to what makes Superman Superman, play on his strengths and his fantastic powers and if you want to make something dark then give him a villain that's worthy of being able to stand up to him. Oh and don't kop out and make a movie version of "The Death of Superman", leave that to the animation guys.
I'd like to see Bryan Singer stay on as director and if they do insist on bringing a new writing team on board then I say give the comic world's golden boy Mark Millar a chance.
As a final thought I don't think they'll ever make a Superman film that collectively pleases the masses like the 1978 film did and I don't envy the guy trying!