By Matt Fleming and Jarrod Jones. This is the ANTI-MONITOR podcast, where we believe certain films are better when people actually smile and stuff. This week, the Boys relate their experiences in revisiting Bryan Singer’s 2006 Metropolis Marvel, ‘Superman Returns’, a film that is infinitely better than either of them remember it to be. They also discuss certain hard feelings circling the latest Star Wars film while attempting to have their heads NOT explode.
As always, be wary for spoilers throughout, and please enjoy.
ANTI-MONITOR — MATT: When Bryan Singer left the X-Men franchise for a chance to make a homage to Richard Donner’s Superman films, the backlash was appropriately severe. Superman Returns underperformed and Brett Ratner’s X-Men 3 was a colossal disappointment, leaving the director maligned as the destroyer of multiple properties. However, time has been kind to Superman Returns, and after the utterly soulless Man Of Steel, Singer’s film has finally come around as the far more palatable and sincere Superman film.
Don’t get me wrong, Returns is far from perfect. Kate Bosworth is woefully miscast as Lois Lane; with her wooden delivery and awkward pantsuits, it’s just kind of obvious that this role is above her pay grade. Otherwise, the cast is beyond solid, with Brandon Routh standing out as both the stoic superhero and his bumbling alter-ego, Clark Kent. As for Kevin Spacey, it seems like Lex Luthor was a role he was born to play, as he juggles humor and vitriol with aplomb. While the color palate is a bit too sepia for a Superman flick, Superman Returns stays true to the nature of America’s favorite superhero in ways modern filmmakers just don’t seem to grasp.
ANTI-MONITOR — JARROD: I had quite a bit to unpack when it came time for me to revisit Superman Returns. Not just critically, but emotionally; could it be possible that the film I had personally scuttled to the recesses of my subconscious actually be better than I had remembered it? Well… yeah.
Set through the prism of hindsight, Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns is a superhero film with a difference. Despite its era-appropriate desaturation, Returns is decidedly an optimistic affair, providing the human race with a story about family, duty, and finding the inner-strength to do what’s right. (Y’know. Like a good Superman movie ought.)
CONSENSUS: An optimistic superhero movie decidedly ahead of its time, revisiting Superman Returns merits tremendous rewards. — 7.5 out of 10
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