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Reviews
Superman Returns (2006)
Great film, but still flawed
I finally got to see Superman Returns last night. Keep in mind, however, that I grew up with the Donner films as a child, was and still am a big fan of the comics, and even wrote my undergraduate thesis on Superman. So I tend to view the character and the franchise with rose-tinted glasses.
That being said, with the exception of Reeve's absence, I think Superman Returns trumps the Donner films in almost every way possible. I know, blasphemy, but true.
Gone, for the most part at least, is the camp and the self-aware, winking-at-the-audience moments of the previous Superman Films. Like the first two X-Men, singer plays it straight with his hero, and rarely slips into parody. The film's visual style is also quite surreal, which is also a hallmark of Singer. Like New York in the Spiderman films, Metropolis is very much a real American city, but with subtle differences that lets the audience know this may seem like real life, but it's not. It's a world where a man can fly and lift cars over his head...oh, and where shuttle launches happen over major metropolitan areas! The writing is a bit crisper. The music-less bombastic, more subtle. But what about the performances? Kevin Spacey is by far a better Luthor than Hackman, who I contend was terribly miscast. Like the film, Spacey's Luthor lands somewhere between complete fantasy and real life. He's equal parts zany, over-the-top villain and meglomaniacal entrepreneur (much like Phillip Seymour Hoffman in MI:3). Bozworth holds her own as Lois Lane, but not enough to make you forget Margot Kidder. And Routh...well I'm a tad conflicted.
I'll be honest in my assessment that I think Routh is a better Superman than Reeve. Reeve's Superman does everything so effortlessly, with little to no uncertainty or strain whatsoever. Routh's take is much different, and far more interesting. There's a grimace on Routh's face when he lifts something heavy. And when Superman lifts something as heavy as I don't know...say an island...it really takes its toll on him. Routh's Superman is one who's a bit more vulnerable, less certain of himself, and definitely more realistic.
That beings said, Routh is a terrible Clark Kent. His interpretation of Clark is an abysmal, half-assed attempt at a Reeve impersonation. Reeve's Kent was a very socially awkward, bumbling man..but still a grown-up and a consummate professional. While he lacked grace, he was still a competent, confident reporter. Routh's Clark Kent is a man-child, completely inept and slow in every way possible (though this could be the writer's fault as well as Routh's). In a scene where Clark, Richard, Jimmy, Lois and her son are burning the midnight oil to meet a deadline, Clark comes across as the retarded older son of Richard and Lois, especially in one shot where a portion of beef burrito is hanging out of Clark's mouth.
All together, this film is great, and what I believe to be the definitive version of Superman on film, or at least the Superman of my generation (I wasn't born until shortly after the third installment of the original movies). The film has flaws that's for sure, but like Batman Begins, it's got a bevy of awesome scenes and enough heart and soul to compensate for them. Things could've been a whole lot worse. Brett Ratner could've directed it.
Platoon (1986)
Best Vietnam War movie you can see
Platoon is a must see for any fan of war movies. The film that put Stone on the map, Platoon is considered by Vietnam Vets as the most realistic (my father having been one of them). But in keeping the maxim of giving credit where credit is due, much of the success of Platoon belongs to military adviser Captain Dale Dye, who has been linked to pretty much every great war movie in the last twenty years. Much accolades to Tom Berenger as well, whose performance as Sgt. Barnes is the tour de force of his career (the scene in the village towards the end of the movie is brutal, befitting the character). With a great script, great performances, and awesome cinematography, Platoon is a surefire classic.
Alexander (2004)
I want to see the reviewers that actually liked this movie
Marshall University had a sneak preview of Alexander, so I snagged some passes. What can I say? Very inexpensive date. What I found was a bloated, inane, indulgent piece of film, falling far short from Stone's talent and ability. The dialogue is stale, and at points, even laughable (especially between Alexander and his homosexual lovers, which critically hurts the film). Battle scenes are few and far between. Historical inaccuracies are abound (a Stone trademark), so much so that playing a game of Age of Empires would give you a better sense of history. And worst of all, the film is full of long winded monologues bordering on the Gods and Generals level of absurdity. Two positive things came out of the movie, however. 1. Val Kilmer actually acts in this movie instead of playing Val Kilmer playing someone else. 2. Rosario Dawson's fantastic body is confirmed. Avoid this movie at all costs, even if it is free.