Missed Masterpiece #3 - Superman Returns

Missed Masterpiece #3 – Superman Returns

Let me say one thing before I start. I am not for any instance saying that Superman Returns is a perfect superhero film. It is far from perfect and has its flaws. However, what I am saying is that it didn’t deserve the critical slaughter it received upon its release in 2006. It just had the rotten luck of being released at the wrong time completely.

The superhero genre at this time had arguably released three of its best examples of the genre since the 70s/80s in X2 (2003) (coincidentally also directed by Singer), Spider-Man 2 (2004) and of course Batman Begins (2005). The superhero film genre was on the rise, and with Marvel about to unleash their dominance onto cinema screens, it was imperative that Superman Returns was a success to give keep DC’s heads afloat. Whilst it received initially positive critical reviews, it underperformed at the box office earning $390 million which may seem a lot but with an estimated budget of $270 million you’d expect a lot more. Especially when you compare that with the highest grossing film of that year in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest which grossed over $1 billion from a smaller budget ($225 million), the result is paltry.

On the face of it there is very little setting itself apart from the similar superhero films on the market at the time. It had a healthy mixture of new faces and well known, Hollywood presence in newcomer, Brandon Routh as the red underpants fashioning Kryptonion and Kevin Spacey as the glabrous Lex Luther, respectively. It contains some stunning action set pieces up there with the train scene from Spider-man 2, most notably, Superman racing a jumbo jet plummeting from the sky. Moreover it adds another dimension to a previously two dimensional character adding depth, heart and emotion to the story, something previous attempts have failed to do so. It also brings back John William’s iconic score from the 1978 film, one of the most gloriously uplifting pieces of music committed to cinema.

So where did it go wrong?

The initial problem of Superman Returns is the title itself, ‘Returns.’ It’s common knowledge now that the film takes place after the events of Superman II, made over 25 years prior to Superman Returns, completely ignoring (understandably) the forgettable Superman III (1983) and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). However, given that the target audience for Superman Returns is going to be boys aged between 10 and 15, you’d be hard pressed to find many of that age who have seen the original two Superman films, let alone understand the reasons for Superman’s departure and subsequent return.

Brandon Routh was also deemed an uninspiring choice for the role of Clarke Kent. Our first glimpse of him in his Clark Kent alter-ego is an almost doppelgänger to Christopher Reeve, which may have failed to bring Superman to a new generation of audiences, updating him to the 21^st century, perhaps.

Some have argued that it was a little too light hearted for a superhero film, and when you compare it with Batman Begins then you would have to agree. However Superman was always the more upbeat, light comic compared to Batman so kudos has to be given for sticking to its source. It’s common nowadays for films to claim to be ‘dark’ and truth be told, it can get a little repetitive.

There was a sequel planned for release in 2009, however this idea was scrapped and DC/Warner Bro’s went on to reboot the franchise in 2013 with Zac Snyder’s Man of Steel. Yes, Snyder’s version may have familiarised them audiences with the origins of Superman, but the when a final act is intent on having its protagonist and antagonist simply smashing each other through buildings and hurling cars at each other, Return’s calm, collective and patient approach is a welcome relief and it is the clear winner in our books.

Yes, it’s far from perfect and yes it didn’t exactly raise the bar in the superhero genre, but it brought at extra dimension to the character, and brought a light hearted approach to a genre that was getting darker and darker. That is until Avengers Assemble came along anyway!