Review.DVD: Superman.Returns –
Superman Returns
Starring:
Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Kevin Spacey, Frank Langella
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Produced by: Chris Lee, Thomas Tull, Scott Mednick
Plot Outline:
After a long visit to the lost remains of the planet Krypton, the Man of Steel returns to earth to become the peoples savior once again and reclaim the love of Lois Lane
Web Links:
Official Website: http://supermanreturns.warnerbros.com/
Yahoo: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1807839024/info
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/
'Superman Returns' kicks off in world without a Superman. The Man of Steel (Brandon Routh) left Earth without a word of warning, spending the past five years investigating the ruins of his home planet of Krypton. He returns back to Planet Earth after a Futile effort to check on his home planet, Krypton. He's returns to his life in the city as Clark Kent, but finds his love Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has moved on with her life.
Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) plays the Villian who gets packs of money and a Super-Yacht conning a dying widow. He manages to discover Superman's Fortress of Solitude and devises and Evil Plan to Play God and kill superman by creating a new continent laced with Kryptonite and thereby sinking 3/4 of North America.
Everything about the movie was the "new meets old". The look of the movie, props used in the movie, the OST/ SoundFX, even Superman's hair style! This same new meets old concept carried from the titling of the movie, to the end.
There are several phenomenal effects sequences that are certain to get pulses racing -- the shuttle disaster sequence as Luthor sets his evil scheme into motion to the destruction of Luthor's island, everything VFX sequence was very well executed.
Phenomenal effects apart, I Found the "Superboy" sequence had some weak VFX on it. The only loose vfx shots in the movie, in my opinion. Grain Mis-match, some shots appeared as if they were highly compressed? The digital double shots was very un-organic too. I dunno, but i found it very difficult to Buy those shots.
I had seen the coverage of the 'Jor-el' sequence here on VFXTalk, and was quite eager to watch it edited along the storyline(i could have 'seeked' the dvd for it, but did not wanna do it!). The sequence did not disappoint. Preceding Yacht sequences ere very well rendered too. The Jor-el sequence itself was a great achievement in resurrecting a 'Late' character.
The shuttle disaster sequence gets the treatment of a regular popcorn movie. Throughly enjoyable and brilliantly executed, the 777 and the Space Shuttle were so very Intricately designed and animated. It was very much believable. Props to Sony Pictures Imageworks for a job well-done
The bullet in the eye shot was the pick of all the super-vfx shots. The real super-star of the movie. Very believable and it was nice to know about the detailed work Orphanage had done on the shot.
Framestore-CFC did some awesome Job materialising Lex Luthor's Evil Continent. Some good VFX work follows later-on, and the story builds up nicely for a climax that brings the Man of Steel to his Knees in the Kryptonite Laced Luthor Island.
For months, I'd heard Superman Returns praised, assaulted, analyzed, and dissected from every conceivable angle. In my opinion it was a more-than-average movie. But I'd expect a lot more from Bryan Singer, especially when he is capable of delivering "The Usual Suspects". But anyhow, I appreciate Superman Returns on many levels and the contained VFX. It was an entertaining 2 hours.
The HD-DVD/ DVD Hybrid DVD is now available.
