Closet Sci-Fi Geek

Superman Returns: Will the Real Lois Lane Stand Up?

Brandon Routh as Superman: Yummy! Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane: Hello?

I finally got around to seeing Superman Returns. It became a rental, instead of an in-theater must-see, due to the lukewarm reception. I actually liked it better than I expected (I kind of wish I had seen in the theater), but it had its problems, as everyone else has already stated.

First, I must comment on the casting of Lois Lane. I realize others have before me. I know that Kate’s young age did not go over very well to others. Well, it did not work for me either. Note to casting directors: It is one thing to have a young, childless Lois Lane played by a 22-year-old. It is quite another to have Lois Lane, mother of a 5-year-old son, played by a 22-year-old. Get real! Lois should be around 30 years old, not 20!

But even if Kate were 10 years older, that would not have helped. Margot Kidder played a terrific Lois Lane. Teri Hatcher played a terrific Lois Lane. Kate Bosworth, however, is no Lois Lane. She did a fine job playing a female character in an action movie. She just wasn’t Lois. Not only was she too young, her face is too delicate (Lois should have a strong face), and she’s just too passive by nature. I’m not faulting her acting. She just wasn’t right.

Teri Hatcher, at 40something, would have been better playing the role. She’s still hot, so what’s the problem? We all know Superman doesn’t age like the rest of us. While Superman stays young, Lois will age. Right? Get Teri back in there!

Oh well.

At least Brandon Routh was a fine choice for Superman. He filled his tights well. I liked him almost as much as I liked Dean Cain. (Christopher Reeve…well, let’s just not compare, OK?) Unfortunately, they did not give dear Brandon enough time to play Clark Kent. Had this happened, we might have seen more chemistry between him and the aforementioned poorly-cast Kate, but that did not happen.

Onto Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor: Wow, as Kevin ages, he sure is starting to look a heck of a lot like Gene Hackman. He acted a heck of a lot like Gene Hackman too. Good for continuity. A bit campy for the 2000s though, but it still worked for me.

Writing: Not so great. I mean, are we to believe that everyone will simply ignore the fact that Clark Kent has come back from a five-year trip around the world, and then Superman suddenly appears the very same day, and no-one notices? C’mon.

And the idea that Lex Luthor is going to take over the world by creating a new continent: Yeesh.

I liked the action scenes though. Falling plane: Terrific. Hot Brandon flying and swooshing around. Fantastic. Earthquake in Metropolis. Great.

All in all, I thought it was enjoyable, but certainly not anything mindblowing that would take the “franchise” out of the campy 70s and 80s and into the present. In many respects, it’s the perfect “sequel” to Superman II, since it is about on that level, only with better special effects. I give it a solid B.

Supernatural Nod to the Shining

Loved the latest Supernatural episode where they visit the haunted hotel. A few nods to The Shining were evident: A creepy lit up bar scene that looked a heck of a lot like the one in The Shining, and two ghost girls in old-fashioned dresses.

Dean had some great wisecracks this time around, and he even said “MILF” and “whack” (as in, “not that type of whacking!”) on TV.

Happy New Year!

I have watched a bunch of movies recently, but I have neglected to write the actual reviews because of all the holiday hoo-ha. I will attempt to do some catch up this weekend!