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RobertMacQuarrie1 β Superman Returns vs Man of Steel
Published: 2013-06-18 03:05:57 +0000 UTC; Views: 4668; Favourites: 83; Downloads: 16
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So I saw the Man of Steel this weekend, and really enjoyed it. As did a lot of people, it seems.However, the invariable comparisons to the last Superman outing have been made, with some claiming that Superman Returns is the superior film.
Now, to each their own, but I found Superman Returns to be a very slow, dull, and plodding film with very questionable morals and messages pertaining to Superman. And a lot of movie goers seemed to agree, hence the reboot which I felt hit all the right notes.
However, while Man of Steel wasn't perfect, the critics don't seem to be all that enamored with it. Most of them seem to begrudging to admit that it is at the very least enjoyable. What surprises me more is that Superman Returns got very favorable reviews from critics.
So, this is my (very crudely drawn) response to that. That's not to say that all critical darling films are overblown artistic endeavors, or that film quality is determined by popular vote alone (if that was the case, the Twilight films would be regarded as cinematic classics). However, it just feels sometimes the critics reviewing the films are using different standards than the movie goers viewing them.
Man of Steel might have not lived up to the "philosophical" ideals set forth by previous Superman films and critics, but it certainly delivered on being an entertaining film.
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Comments: 16
My biggest issue with Superman Returns is that I fell the majority of the in-movie problems stemmed from one VERY avoidable problem, that being that Superman, for some reason, didn't just tell Lois he was going to see if Krypton was still out there before he left. There is no reason why he couldn't just tell her or why she wouldn't understand why he'd be leaving, and him not telling him just left her pissed off and pissy at him for the majority of the movie.
I'll admit I didn't like Man of Steel when I first saw it, but I saw it again years later and liked it a lot more, mostly due to knowing more of what to expect and hearing some reasonable arguments in its defense.
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I find intresting how the Superman fans who actually read the comics enjoyed "Man of Steel"; most of the people who hated it were Richard Donner fanboys (hence why some of them consider Returns to be a good film).
I like "Man of Steel" because it changed my view on Superman, made me leave the "Batman is better than Superman" bandwagon and it was an awesome alien invasion movie and origin story told in a subtle way where the non-linear storytelling made it entertaining to watch. The third act was kind of rushed and so did the lovestory with Lois, but I can forgive it for how well it does everything else.
I hate "Superman Returns" because it's a huge waste of potential, Lex Luthor's evil plan makes no fucking sense and so does the reason why Superman left Earth, the film has no idea what it wants to be and while it pretends to be a loveletter to Richard Donner films, I gotta love how it constantly disrespects them by toning down all the wit and carisma those movies had and spits on the face of the Kryptonite rule (in the first movie a small piece of it could completely defeat Superman... In THIS movie even while Superman is stabbed by the damn thing, he's completely able to lift a motherfucking island of kryptonite. Even as a 11 year old kid I called bullshit on that).
Though, if those who love Returns and hat MOS making shitty videos trying to prove their invalid points can't stand the idea that their beliefs are based on bullshit and incorrects towards the truth, it's only their fault. MOS is really solid while Returns has countless flaws in several fields. If they can't deal with that, it's their fault and they only need to accept it or shut up and leave in peace those who see the films for what they are.
"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen".
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You were 11 when Superman Returns came out?
MAN, I feel old!
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I'll be honest I liked Superman Returns. I thought it was an okay movie except for one thing. Lois and the Boyfriend, as one Deviant here on DA put itΒ
"They didn't portray Lois right when it came to her relationships. She was NEVER a romatic to begin with, and was NEVER interested in "getting serious" with a guy until Superman came along. If she had [Sup's] kid, and he left, she would NOT have just gone looking for another guy to fill the void. In fact, knowing her, she would have stayed a single mother to prove she could, and then told anyone who asked who daddy was to shut the h*ll up.Β Now THAT would have been Lois Lane!"
Where as MOS Lois is brave and helps and protects Kal-El and the two are more partnered as equals.Β
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The problem is that all the Critiques are from Film Schools with Professors who tell them if they make it in the biz, they gotta pay back by promoting stuff that shows the public how real life should be.Β Hero stories should have heroes who are not likeable people.Β Only moronic "Joe Six Packs" buy into noble and grandiose heroes who never sold out to power brokers like these critics had to, to get their positions in Hollywood.
Saying that, the very idea of the noble Superman as we see him in the comics is distasteful for the critiques because of that.Β That's why the first film the critiques loved (See!Β The bunch of Film School sell outs like us are exactly like Superman).Β Β And the second movie they hated, (Nobody can be that noble!Β I tried!Β Sort of...)
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I'll be honest: Superman Returns was the first Superman movie I've ever seen and I found it a good time. But then I watched the Christopher Reeve's Superman movies and they're superior than Superman Returns (at least the first and second). Then I watched Man of Steel and it was AWESOME! I think it was underwhelmed by the critics, because it felt like a 'remake' of the first Superman movies. Especially the Krypton's destruction and the fight against General Zod. The only difference it's that it has a non-linear narrative and there's no Lex Luthor or Jimmy Olsen (I hope they add them in the sequel).
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From what I've read of critics reviews its seems that their main "problem" is that its nothing at all like that original 70's movies. Which is stupid and incredibly shallow complaint. Nolan, Goyer, and Synder constantly said in the years worth of build up to this movie that they were going to pretend that those previous movies didn't exist and were going their own way with the character.
Clearly the critics didn't get that memo.
Still have no idea how some can think Superman Returns is the better movie.
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Too true. I don't understand the hate that this film is receiving. I enjoyed it a lot and will definitely go and see it again at the cinema.
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As I pointed out, it seems the only people who are disliking it are the actual critics, whose biggest complaint seems to be "It's not perfect."
Well, maybe not, but it IS entertaining. Isn't that kind of the point?
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I'm glad people noticed this. Really. I mean, critics have Superman returns at like, 75% and MoS at 55. I don't get it. But what I don't get, more than their ratings, is the huge disconnect between the critics and the audience. I've never seen a gap so huge. Had to favorite this picture just because it captured what I'm feeling so perfectly. Also, the philosophical ideals of the previous films are, at best, mixed.
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Superman the Movie: Be an example for all of earth by...Spinning the earth to "turn back time" to prevent a death!
Superman II: Give up being a Protector for everyone on earth for ONE lone girl, only to realize you've just let three Kryptonian prisoners attack the white house and terrorize the president! Also Mind wipe your girlfriend's mind with a kiss.
Superman Returns: leave the planet to its problems for 5 bloody years cause you heard rumors of Krypton, find out its nothing, come back to find the world needs you and that you've become a Deadbeat dad!!
clearly the critics KNOW good moral standings when they see it! XD
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I totally agree with you there, dude! The morals for the previous films were terrible to follow, or at the least a little bit messed up or selfish. Man of Steel's morals at least seemed more relatable as we watched Clark start to become the ideal image of Superman by doing what he felt was right. Like his adoptive parents, he didn't know what to do and he tried his best to do what was right at the moment and save others whenever he could. He also had trouble deciding which path he had to follow with his life after Jonathan dies. But in the end he's able to follow the lessons from both his real and adoptive father that honored both when he started working at the Daily Planet and created the secret identity/superhero persona that we're all familiar with.
Man of Steel should have earned at least a 79% out of 100
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Man Of Steel didn't live up to the philosophical ideals of the previous movies? You mean those ones that it had and the others didn't?
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Yeah! i mean..i'm just...He barely throws a punch in Returns! he at least punched SOMEWHERE in the first two movies! but nooooo! and you know, when people want to see superman, they want the FULL deal. show us WHY he's super. he's super for this VERy reason! He CAN PUNCH DARKSEID's FACE! Good god..arrrghhh.....
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