I enjoyed the film a lot and think kids eight and older will enjoy it immensely. Far and away it is the best Superman movie so far of the entire franchise, being just a bit better than the first one with Christopher Reeve, which I also saw on opening day. The movie plays a little with some aspects of the comic's continuity, which comic fans won't like. And the movie has some plot flaws. However, the feeling of being there and sharing in Superman's powers really works. And, unusual in superhero movies, the dramatic relationships and story told really do hang together and create suspense for me.
I also like the way the movie shows how there is no easy answer to a lover's triangle when all three people are decent and good people. Some critics will blast it for predictability and simplicity, but I don't think this is the case. Others will say there was no satisfying resolution to the issues the movie raises for itself. While this may be more valid, how many lovers' triangle situations in real life end in a neat and satisfying resolution for all concerned? Yes, there were flaws, and you will hear all about the flaws. For example Superman was gone five years and Lois Lane did not have a child when he left, but now has one who appears to be about nine years old. Or how about that Superman left for five years, returned, and still appears to be in his early 20s.
The film's strongest aspect was the great acting by Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. Spacey brings so much intelligence and sanity to any role he takes that he lifts it up. For the movie's plot suspense to work at all well, you have to believe in the villain's motivation and that he would act as he does given the situation. All of the actors turned in solid performances as well. The story was not really about Lex Luthor. It turned out to be about Supes and Lois's relationship, a fact that I bet surprised even the writer and director once the shooting of the film began.
In this Superman, not every plot element was wrapped with a pretty bow tie, but that alone really worked for me and gives me much to think about. I congratulate the director and writer for letting the story go where it seemed to want to, rather than forcing it into just the superhero-fights-supervillain routine. That's what the first one in the series did, despite the fact there was another story there needing exploration too, and why I think this film superior to it.
I also like the way the movie shows how there is no easy answer to a lover's triangle when all three people are decent and good people. Some critics will blast it for predictability and simplicity, but I don't think this is the case. Others will say there was no satisfying resolution to the issues the movie raises for itself. While this may be more valid, how many lovers' triangle situations in real life end in a neat and satisfying resolution for all concerned? Yes, there were flaws, and you will hear all about the flaws. For example Superman was gone five years and Lois Lane did not have a child when he left, but now has one who appears to be about nine years old. Or how about that Superman left for five years, returned, and still appears to be in his early 20s.
The film's strongest aspect was the great acting by Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. Spacey brings so much intelligence and sanity to any role he takes that he lifts it up. For the movie's plot suspense to work at all well, you have to believe in the villain's motivation and that he would act as he does given the situation. All of the actors turned in solid performances as well. The story was not really about Lex Luthor. It turned out to be about Supes and Lois's relationship, a fact that I bet surprised even the writer and director once the shooting of the film began.
In this Superman, not every plot element was wrapped with a pretty bow tie, but that alone really worked for me and gives me much to think about. I congratulate the director and writer for letting the story go where it seemed to want to, rather than forcing it into just the superhero-fights-supervillain routine. That's what the first one in the series did, despite the fact there was another story there needing exploration too, and why I think this film superior to it.
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